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Backpacking and vacationing are both done for recreation. Except for that one common objective, these two activities are as different as day and night. A vacation is when a family of four sits in an airplane with all the modern amenities – entertainment, food, magazines and even internet access. Backpacking is when the same family grabs their backpacks and decide to explore the wilderness. Let’s look at the things to consider before you start backpacking around the world.

Things to consider before backpacking- Backpacking is an adventure

Exploring the wilderness via backpacking is a lot more adventurous and action-packed. It also brings with it, the following challenges.

Away from civilization

Even though technology has improved by leaps and bounds, most trekking hotspots are not covered under cell phone coverage. That means, if something should go wrong – sometimes things do go wrong – the trekking party is on their own. This is to say that help will not come. It will eventually make its way. It just won’t instantaneous.

Physical experience

It is possible to tour the entire world without breaking a sweat. Comfort is an element that is all too common with vacationing. In backpacking, comfort is probably the last thing on anybody’s mind. Each person is responsible to carry all the things they are supposed to use in their backpack. The hot sun will be glaring at all times. If not, the cold will make the fingers burn. The legs will tire and the terrain can get dangerous. Overall, backpacking places certain physical demands.

Based on the above two explanations, it is possible to list out backpacking advice that must be considered before deciding on a backpacking expedition.

Location and Season
Equipment
Water
Food
Personal Fitness and Animals

Consider the location and season of the place before backpacking

Everything else that is discussed here depends on these two topics of location and season. The chosen backpacking location makes all the difference between a successful backpacking experience and one that gives nightmares. Instead of giving specific location examples, here are some things that a backpacker has to do.

Check online for the location and see what the backpackers have had to say about it. Use these backpacker opinions if that location is something that the backpacker can handle.
Check the tourism advice that is available on the corresponding site maintained by the local government. The last thing any city or country wants is backpackers putting themselves in danger. The tourism site will clearly mention the level of danger that surrounds a particular location.
Check for pictures and videos of the chosen location. This should be available online and give an insight about the terrain that is involved.

Once the location has been checked, and backpacking budget has been decided, the next factor to consider is the season. Those who are new to backpacking should always stick to backpacking in summer or spring. These seasons have warm weather, allowing backpackers to wear less clothing. The human body generates a lot of body heat during cold season. This has the effect of making a person eat more, since more energy is being consumed. This in turn means, more food needs to be carried.

In any backpacking trip, the largest weight would be the backpack and its contents. The cold weather will immediately increase the amount of food and clothing that is carried. This weight can be back breaking, literally. That is why, until a new backpacker has the hang of things, it is best to stick to walking in warm temperatures and weather. Overtime, with enough experience, it is possible to switch to cold season backpacking. On a side note, there is a certain thrill in walking during cold weather. Forests look particularly magical during the cold season, which is not the case with summer.

Things to consider before backpacking

Backpacking is a separate activity when compared to trekking or mountain climbing. Backpacking is simply walking through forest to a particular point, and then returning. There might be an overnight stay involved. This dictates the equipment that will be carried along. Assuming that an overnight stay is involved and the total duration of the trip is for two days, here are some items that need to be carried.

Backpack –

If someone is going backpacking, they should be choosing a backpack. That seems an obvious choice. The actual purchase of a backpack is as simple as it could get. There is an entire industry that revolves around the concept of backpacking. Buying a backpack, is as simple as walking into a backpacking store and buying any bag. Any of these bags would be certified for backpacking. The more expensive ones might be more comfortable but all of them are equally good.

Sleeping bag –

Sleeping bags are essential since an overnight stay is involved. Sleep is perhaps even more important after a day of backpacking then a day of working in an office. The body needs a lot of rest and the sleeping bag is going to give that. The trick to buying a sleeping bag is to buy the right size. If the store allows, it might not be a bad idea to actually slip into the sleeping bag before buying it. The weather should be a factor in this purchase. Check the weather site or an app to find out the night time temperature. Use this information to get a thick or thin sleeping bag.

Heavy-Duty Walking Clothes-

It is possible to avoid carrying waterproofing equipment in summer times. But to be in a safer s, waterproof clothing or raincoats are a must as rain is unpredictable.

Camping equipment-

This depends on the location. Some places experience extremely high levels of precipitation while others don’t. If the location is high on precipitation, a tent must be part of the backpacking. This includes all the things go with tent as well.

Cooking equipment-

Food is an essential part of the equation. The backpacker will have to eat food. Depending on the method of food preparation and consumption, appropriate equipment must be packed. At a minimum, some kind of a portable stove with vessels to go with it must be included.

A note on the weight of the equipment. No matter how strong the backpacker is, there is a limit on how much the person can carry throughout the day. The backpacker has to decide how much of the equipment goes with the bag and those that do not. The balance between the requirements and the total weight should be achieved. If a backpackers travel person is serious about backpacking often, they may want to invest in light weight backpacking equipment. For example, there are specially designed sleeping bags that weigh less than half of a regular sleeping bag, while still providing the same comfort and warmth. Of course, these cost a lot of money. If money is not really an issue, by all means, the backpacker is welcome to buy these low on weight backpacking equipment.