Preparing for a Trip: 5 Tips for a BackpackerBy Dave Crothers Preparing for a backpacking trip is something I never spend
enough time at and my recent trip around the states was no different. So I have
developed 5 tips to help you and myself in preparing for our next backpacking
trip. Some of this may seem basic but simplicity is the biggest component for
having an enjoyable and successful trip. - The
first thing you should do is sit down and make a checklist of
everything you’re going to bring on the trip. Most people skip this step
but it is important and those people who do skip this step will most
likely forget something or bring too much. A checklist can help avoid
this, and it’s a great opportunity for you to look at everything you’re
bringing on paper. This step will eliminate things you don’t need and it
also helps you add things you may have forgotten, it’s that simple.
- A
good backpack is well worth the time spent in researching and trying
on. My advice is not to go for the biggest backpack you can find so you
can fit your apartment or house into it. The greatest thing about
backpacking is that you get to leave everything at home and have fun
traveling wherever you are! My backpack is about 4,500 cubic inches and
fits everything I need for a trip. When researching packs, look over the
straps; do the straps clip, are they adjustable, does the top come off
and turn into a daypack, does it have a rain-fly, is there a zipper that
runs the length of the pack? The best feature on my pack are the side
straps, they are adjustable male and female clips so I can attach tents,
poles, and other things on the side of my bag. These are all things you
should look for when trying on backpacks, convenience is key. A
backpack between 3,500-4,500 cubic inches should be big enough for a
backpacking trip.
- I
have a tendency to bring big bulky DSLR cameras on my backpacking
trips, ultimately taking up too much space in my pack. With the way
cameras have developed over the past decade this isn’t necessary unless
you are going on a photo taking trip and need a camera that can switch
lenses. Most point and shoot cameras do the trick and finding one that
suits your needs shouldn’t be a problem with such a wide variety to
choose from. A piece of advice, don’t let someone try and sell you a
super expensive camera with the highest megapixels. Anything between 5
and 10 megapixels will work just fine. Most people will never need or
use the extra pixels, they will end up filling your hard drive and take a
long time to upload especially in internet cafes. The majority of point
and shoot cameras have video capability, some have built in panorama
modes, and they also have a variety of manual functions adding to the
benefit of having a small less bulky point and shoot. Beware of
waterproof cameras, unless you have a waterproof case. I would recommend
talking to someone about warranties before bringing a camera
underwater. I have had bad experiences – just a friendly heads up.
| - One
of the biggest things nowadays while traveling is updating family and
friends. There are a number of different items you can look into before
you go to make checking in much easier, and at the same time giving
peace of mind to your loved ones at home. Spot (Satellite Personal
Tracker) is a great gadget you can bring with you and it updates your
whereabouts to Google maps from most places in the world. The iPhone,
though out of most budget backpackers’ reach, is a great tool for the
road. You can connect to wireless internet, update blogs, and even make
international calls through Skype. Mini lap tops are be more affordable
now, starting from around $200 but space is limited in most packs. The
durability may be an issue, but some may be able to make it work. These
mini laptops definitely deserve more research.
- Last and
perhaps the most important prepping tip is to have fun. Don’t let the
little things bog you down, you’re about to embark on an amazing
journey, keep that in mind when things seem to be falling apart last
minute. Unexpected things are going to happen, it’s Murphy’s Law. If you
keep an open mind and a positive attitude, you will have a great time.
These
are just a few things to help you get started in your preparations for
your next adventure, consider food for thought, and not something you
have to strictly abide by. That is why travel is so special and unique,
because you take from it what you’d like. Backpacking doesn’t
necessarily mean sweating and hiking through the jungle of the Darien or
wandering the coast of Mexico. It can be simply touring the ancient
cities of Italy, sightseeing in the National Parks of the states.
Traveling and backpacking means something different for everyone.
Good luck on your next adventure and hopefully I will see you out there. |
