Beginner’s Backpacking– Stop Worrying and Start Hiking

Posted On July 23, 2024

By P.J. Beaumont

This post is dedicated to Samantha, in my evening exercise class. Get out there and get hiking, Sam!

There might be a lot of people out there with backpacks and sleeping bags in their closet, but who have never managed to get out and go backpacking.  That happened to me when I was starting out.  This article is for all of those people.

I know the mindset.  They read about all the backpackers who are hiking thousands of miles every year on magnificent trails, conquering the backcountry and making it look easy.  Then they get the idea that they aren’t a “real backpacker” if all they do it hike a few miles in a flat area with no big animals to worry about, spend an uncomfortable night, then hike back to their car the next morning and drive home.

Realize this— There aren’t any Backpacking Police that will throw you off the trail if you never do more than three miles a day.  Nobody’s going to rip the patches off your backpack, break your hiking staves over their knee, and sneeringly point in the direction of the nearest hotel.

That’s not to say there aren’t some hard-and-fast rules, but those rules are enforced by nature, and none of them say you can’t do a short section of the Appalachian Trail by stopping to set up camp every three miles.  Guess what— you can even do a two-mile out-and-back hike and stay only one night!  Tell the other people at the campsite that it’s your first time ever backpacking, and they’ll cheer for you.

So, here’s a list of what you don’t need to worry about, and below that is a list of things you should have some concern over:

Here are some things you shouldn’t worry about—

• Don’t worry about making lots of miles in a day.  My amazing friend Chris, who did the entire Appalachian Trail, once made 30 miles over a rugged section of the AT while carrying a 50-pound pack, but his first few days on the trail he only made six miles.  Do what you do.
• Don’t feel you have to do entire trails if you start them.  Lots of people do what’s called “section hikes” on the AT.  Some of them do short sections of the trail in hopes of those sections eventually adding up to the whole trail, but other people just hike short sections only for that experience.  Your rules are your rules.
• Don’t worry about big animals.  Many experienced AT hikers scoff when they see a hiker with bear repellant.  As long as you use good anti-bear practices, like putting all food, used food wrappers, toothpaste, and deodorant (which pretty much nobody brings on the trail anymore) into a bag and hanging it up properly every night, bears won’t bother you.  But bring some repellant along if you feel the need.  Just so you know, I get scoffed at a lot.
• Don’t feel you have to have the very best equipment.  You’ll eventually learn what you really need and what you can do without.  Medium-grade equipment from brand-name manufacturers will weigh a bit more than the super-expensive stuff, but you can either sell it or relegate it to the kids’ closet when you find something that really works well for you.
• Don’t get a super-good stove system right off the bat.  I got a $15 stove off of Amazon that’s as big as my thumb and weighs an ounce, and has lasted me for years.  Some expensive systems will work better in extreme conditions or save you fuel during long periods away from civilization, but for starting out a cheap stove and a steel pot should do fine.
• Don’t pack too much.  You will not need any of those “just in case” items like extra food or clothes.  While you should always be ready for bad weather, there’s no need to pack a parka in August anywhere near sea level in the Lower 48 States. A too-heavy pack causes pain, and pain will make you avoid backpacking.
• Don’t worry about sleeping well your first night on the trail.  I don’t know of anyone who has.  It will no doubt take you a few nights to figure out how to get comfortable.
• Don’t freak out about food.  If you’re on a short hike, you can probably afford a couple of those expensive freeze-dried backpacking meals if you want the convenience, but there’s plenty of food at your local supermarket that can do just as well (see the list at the end of this article).

What you should be concerned about—

• Get into condition before you go backpacking.  At the very least, put all your gear into your pack and walk at least five miles a day on weekends, even if it’s just around your neighborhood.  The best thing would be to walk that far every day, but work up to it.  Start with a ten-pound pack at a mile or two, then add five pounds and a mile every five days or a week, and work up to your full pack weight for five miles or as much as you have time for.  Include some hills.
• Get appropriate footwear. Lightweight people with lightweight packs can use what are called “trail runners,” but if you are more stout and your pack is heavy, or the terrain will be rugged, get good boots.
• When getting into condition, you will learn how well your backpack and boots work. Make sure the pack fits properly and doesn’t chafe anywhere, and make sure your boots (or trail runners) don’t give you blisters. Those two items are the most critical ones for backpacking.
• Get a good water filter system, and learn how to use it.
• Figure out how you are going to obtain water.  Many trail maps mark the location of streams and springs. 
• Go on a “shakedown” hike.  Put all your gear into your pack, hike several miles, then set up your tent in your back yard, and camp out in it, using only the supplies you brought.  Apartment dwellers can find a nearby campground, reserve a campsite, and then hike a few miles away from the site and back.  Take notes on what you use, what you forgot to bring, and what you don’t need.
• Watch the weather, and know what the forecast is.
• Make sure you bring any medications along.
• You might get away with using a cheap tent from a discount store, but if the weather turns really bad you could get wet.

THE LIST

Every backpacker has a list.  Here’s mine.  It looks like a lot, but there’s a lot of small stuff that you probably carry around every day, like money, credit cards, and lip balm.  I can fit a lot of these items into two very small bags which go into my backpack.  Also see “The 72-Hour Bug Out Bag,” “A Friend Has Invited You To Come Backpacking,” “The SABFAK First Aid Kit,” and “The Survival Bug-Out Diet.”

SHELTER/SLEEP SYSTEM

• Tent
• Ground cloth
• Tent stakes 
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Mattress patch kit
• Trekking poles

FOOD/COOKING (I don’t need to take everything listed, these are just some things I can choose from)

• Ova Easy egg powder (only bring if I also take the frying pan)
• Quick oatmeal (I get a big container and then split it into zipper sandwich bags)
• Freeze-dried meals
• Pasta meals
• Tuna packs
• Trail mix
• Jerky
• Pre-cooked and dehydrated rice and beans (home prepared)
• Dried fruit (dried berries are especially nice in oatmeal)
• Coffee/tea
• Keto Bricks (only if I have to make long distances in wilderness areas)
• Food bars
• Metal cup
• Cooking pot
• Eating utensils
• Lightweight stove
• Gas canisters for lightweight stove
• Stabilizer for stove

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

• Tripods or selfie sticks
• Poop shovel
• Thick plastic trash bag (instead of exterior rain cover for pack)
• Money
• Credit card(s)
• SABFAK first aid kit
• Rain gear
• Sewing kit
• Water filtration system
• Water purification tablets—as a backup
• Water bottles (2)
• Lighter
• Candles/tinder (in case it’s OK to have a campfire)
• Flashlights (I like the flashlights from Nitecore, I’ve got six of them)
• Sunblock/lip balm 
• Bug repellant
• Hat
• Bandana (maybe two)
• Gorilla Tape, about 5-10 feet
• 100 feet paracord
• Multi-tool and/or knife
• Toilet paper
• Bear spray
• Compass
• Maps or GPS
• Pencil & Notebook
• Rechargeable power pack
• Cell phone
• Zipper plastic sandwich bags
• Plastic grocery bags
• Dish soap or Camp Suds
• Charging cords— Don’t forget these! Phone, watch, flashlights, etc.
• Cell phone
• Shoe repair glue
• Hand sanitizer

 CLOTHING (summer)

• Underwear, one to wear and one in reserve
• T-shirt (merino wool or synthetic)
• Boots/trail runners
• Sports sandals (if I know I’m going to be fording streams)
• Slippers (light and cheap, for around camp in the evenings)
• Wool socks (two pairs including the ones on your feet)
• Pants (You should be wearing them to start out, I like pants with zip-off legs)
• Warm shirt, perhaps in the form of a light wool sweater
• Lightweight jacket (the Outdoor Research Helium jacket is a favorite)

PERSONAL NEEDS

• Prescription and OTC medications
• Toothbrush/floss/toothpaste

COLD WEATHER GEAR

• Gloves
• Long underwear
• Insulated jacket
• Neck gaiter
• Lightweight shell/jacket
• Lightweight insulated jacket
• Alpaca-wool sweater
• Sleeping bag rated for expected temperatures
• Insulated sleeping pad

OPTIONAL

• Liner/extender for sleeping bag for very cold weather
• Radio (AM/FM, Weather Service, GMRS/Ham)
• Ear plugs
• Sleeping mask
• Frying Pan

GROCERY STORE BACKPACKING FOOD POSSIBILITIES (From “The Disaster Bug-Out Diet”)

It’s possible to find food appropriate for hiking at your local grocery store.  The main concept for backpacking foods is that you don’t want to be carrying items that contain water or come in heavy containers.  For items that have a bag inside of a box, remove the box and discard it, then get as much air out of the bag as possible.  Here are some ideas:

• Ramen noodles
• Dried pasta
• Nuts
• Peanut butter (in plastic containers)
• Rice.  Cheap and simple.  Requires cooking, but can be pre-cooked and dehydrated.
• Instant mashed potatoes.  Lots of carb calories and even less cooking than rice.
• Oatmeal.  You can get variety packs at most grocery stores, but they are small.  I like to get a big container and split it up using zip-closure plastic sandwich bags for single-servings.
• Instant breakfast/protein drinks.  Pour in some MCT oil for fat.
• Pop tarts.
• Crackers.
• Dried fruit.  Toss it in while cooking oatmeal for flavor and to re-hydrate it to make it less chewy.
• Candy bars.
• Tuna in packets.
• Chicken in packets
• Spam comes in foil packets called Spam Singles.
• There are numerous types of meat that don’t need refrigeration, including summer sausage and jerky.
• Trail mix.
• Pancake mix.  Add powdered eggs if desired (see below).
• Annie’s Shells (similar products are made by other companies).
• Instant coffee and/or tea.
• Fruit Squeeze (like for kids lunches), not a whole lot of calories per packet but a nice change of flavor on long treks.
• Bear Naked Granola.
• Breakfast Essentials breakfast powder
• Cups of Mac and cheese that you only need to pour hot water into.
• Powdered cheese.
• Olive oil packets.
• Energy/granola bars like Cliff Bars, Kind Bars, etc.
• Dried beans (NOTE- kidney beans and their close relatives are POISONOUS unless properly prepared. Dried beans you purchase in a plastic bag must be soaked for hours and then cooked AT A BOIL for 30 minutes or more. After cooking they can be dried and frozen until needed. They will keep for a several weeks if put into zipper plastic bags, and longer if packed with a vacuum sealer. Alternatively, you can get canned beans, which are fully-cooked before being canned, and dry those. They work well for backpacking, but you need to be careful.)

If you need some flavor:

• Idahoan Hearty Soup Mixes
• Bear Creek Darn Good Chili (and other Bear Creek products)
• Tomato paste in a tube
• Tasty Bite Indian Entrees
• Starkist Chicken Creations can jazz-up Ramen Noodles
• Taco seasoning packets

Don’t eliminate cans just because they are metal:

• Cans of tuna don’t add much more weight than the packets, so if cans are all that’s available don’t be afraid use them.

So, you don’t need to get fancy, and you don’t need to go first-class. You’re going to make mistakes, but as long as you stay away from the few big ones the worst things that will happen are lost sleep, sore muscles, and blisters. Start out in the summer, in a place where cold weather won’t be an issue. Do close-to-home shakedown tests of your equipment first, then start out with short hikes in flat areas. Learn how to set up a bear bag if you are in an area that requires it. Get appropriate footwear– boots might slow you down but they will protect your feet. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast.

And remember that nobody will be kicking you off the trail for making only two miles a day.