How to Plan your First Backpack

In need of some help planning your first backpacking trip? If you’re a beginner backpacker and want to find out how to have a successful first backpacking adventure, then this is the series for you! Over the next few blog posts, we will share some helpful tips on how to plan your first backpacking adventure.

People may ask you, ‘Why do you want to go backpacking?’

Well, if you enjoy camping, hiking and the outdoors, then it makes complete sense to combine all three into an overnight hike, or backpacking trip. But venturing out into the backcountry for the first time can be a daunting experience. In this series of articles, written specifically for beginner backpackers, we share our tips and tricks to give you the best possible start in your backpacking explorations.

I once met a couple in a backcountry campsite who were getting frustrated while sorting through their gear in search of a misplaced item. I sympathised with them, as I recognized that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve forgotten an important item, miles from the trailhead. Affecting my most sympathetic of tones, I mentioned that “the key to a good backpacking trip is organization,” to which the women replied, “exactly, and my method of organization is the correct one.” Whether that is true or not, a little time spent before your trip planning and preparing will ensure a comfortable, safe and fun experience in some of the most incredible terrain in the world.

These articles will cover the following major parts of planning your first backpack:

• Where should I go?
• How can I stay safe while backpacking?
• How do I stay warm while backpacking?
• What do I drink?
• Do you have a packing list?

We also have other articles to help you with the basics of travelling in wilderness, such as "How to poop in the Backcountry", "Being safe around Bears" and "Trail Etiquette".

These articles will give you a sense of how to ease into backpacking and learn to love weekends in the backcountry. Armed with these tips, you can work your way up and tackle world-class backpacks and treks around the world. To help you get an idea of great treks and backpack trips you can plan, here are some articles we’ve written:

• America’s 10 Best backpacking trips
• 10 Best Backpacking trips in Canada

Some great specific treks and backpacking trips to consider are:

John Muir Trail

Haute Route

Tour de Mont Blanc

Jasper Skyline Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

El Camino de Santiago

Annapurna Basecamp