Great news everyone! Summer of backpacking is officially here in Bay Area! Get your packs ready for the epic journey!
Need inspiration for adventure? Check this video out!
For those who never done backpacking camping before: welcome to the club! I hope you find something useful in today’s post!
Take these suggestions and you will transform into outdoor fanatic in no time. Ready?
…But first, let me share these snapshots of recent backpacking trip to Henry W. Coe State Park to amp up your expectation!
5 Tips for Backpacking Starters.
If this is your first time, or been awhile since you’ve done backpacking here’s some tips to get you straight on trail in no time.
(1) Collect essential gears for backpacking.
When I first started backpacking, I did not have the right gears to situate my temporary residence in the woods overnight. Sleeping gears that I had, for example, was for car camping that are much bulkier and heavier than ultra lightweight gears designed for backpacking. In backpacking camping, every ounce of weight counts and it is essential to get ultra lightweight and compact gears.
REI has useful backpacking gears list for absolute newbies. I would also check the weather and environment of backpacking destination to pack the gears accordingly (e.g., extra layer of clothing, sleeping bag, bear canister etc). It is always good idea to carry extra pair of socks if you are going to seaside trail with capricious weather (Lost Coast Trail and Point Reyes for example) and flip flops/sandals are ESSENTIAL for post hiking chill by the campground 🙂
(2) Navigation and Positive Attitude for “Getting Lost.”
Although most hiking trails in Henry Coe State Park are clearly marked on the maps and there are sign posts to point you to the right path, you are always prone to “getting lost” when backpacking into the depth of wilderness. It is good idea to get one of big maps sold at the visitors center and have one of the experienced hikers in the group to take lead on navigation.
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(3) Stay Hydrated (…and not thirsty, my friend).
When you are hiking under the glorious afternoon sun with over 25lbs of pack on back, you are burning your energy faster than usual. It is good idea to keep high calorie energy bars in your pockets where easily accessible to snack on during the hike. Most importantly, stay hydrated throughout the hike to prevent injuries and symptoms from sun heat.
Trails that we took in Henry Coe State Park was blessed with constant exposure to rushing creeks to refill water bottles. If you are backpacking beginner, it is probably best to select the park that has plenty of water source to fill up your water bottles to avoid packing in heavy load of water. For this reason I would consider desert hike is much difficult backpacking option compared to woodsy mountainous trails in Sierra that has rich water sources. Water filtration system such as Platypus GravityWorks comes in very handy when you are hiking in bigger group (6+) as it holds large quantity of water and does not require manual squeezing which I am getting used to with my Sawyer Mini. To top up hydration strategy, electrolyte tablets like the ones Nuun produce are very effective and I use it on every backpacking trip including Cusco to Machu Picchu and Mt. Whitney Trail. Electrolyte and water are two things that do not want to exhaust during the hike.
(4) Smart Food Strategy.
Best part of camping is food. I love eating, and especially on camping trips I find any food to taste better. For backpacking, I would recommend packing something lightweight and loaded with calories. Rehydration meal is always great idea and there are many companies out there with variety of menu designed for different diet preference. My personal favorite is this Pad Thai that comes with packets of sauce and peanuts. Portable stove is a must carry if you are planning to eat these foods as they need hot water. One thing to note about elevation: Cooking time will increase at higher elevation due to altitude, so if you are exhausted and desperate to consume food immediately rather than wait for over 30 minutes to cook meal you might want something else to satiate your hunger in a meantime.
(5) Sharing the Weight.
Benefit of backpacking in a group is the opportunity to share the supplies. First backpacking trip is always full of wonder and realization, and you will soon learn about useful tools and tips from the experts! Even if you are not confident about the right gears to buy, chances are someone else in the group has them for share. Ask if someone else in your group is interested in sharing tents, for example, and split the weight! Water filtration system is essential as I noted previously, but sometimes packing in water is necessary if there is no water supply near the campsites. You can circumvent the difficulty of carrying heavy weight by sharing the supplies and distributing the weight amongst the group. Win-win!
I once did backpacking hike to hot springs near Desolation Wilderness and there was one guy solely dedicated to cooking gourmet dinner for group! He had everything but sleeping bag, pad, and tent on the hike and cooked up some amazing grazed salmon (in aluminum made stove box!) with quinoa salad. Later I learned he is renowned camping chef who barters the gear weight for delicious meals…not a bad exchange.
Great Adventure Awaits.
Backpacking is so much fun and it’s one of my favorite outdoor activities of all time. All the pictures and video in this post are from recent trip to Henry W. Coe State Park, which is perfect place to get your feet wet (literally) in backpacking adventures.
Please refer to park website for hiking information in Henry W. Coe SP.
Thanks for reading! Happy trails!
Here’s some of my absolutely recommended backpacking adventure venues around California (*most of these places require permit):