For some, it started on a family holiday to some town in the backcountry when to keep themselves occupied for the entire eight-hour drive, their parents or family members must have gave them a copy of Backpacking: One Step at a Time. Or it could be that they've been doing it for so long it was tough to remember a point in time when they haven't been strapping on boots and walking for miles in natural settings outdoors.

Whatever’s the case, one thing is certain: We are going backpacking for just one reason. And that reason is to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.

You usually recognise a first-time walker the minute you see him or her approach, hobbling under at least 50 pounds on the back (for a two-night trip) made up of a backcountry pack that's equivalent to the Beverly Hillbillies ‘ flatbed, a 10-pound tent, two shoes, a dozen bagels, and lots more watchamaccallits which he maintains might turn out to be handy during the excursion.

It's an diverting picture, to be absolutely certain, but correct for nearly every hardened backcountry vet out there the 1st time they started backpacking. Don't worry though. If you are one of the beginners to backpacking, it will not take long for you to put enough miles on the boots, and for you to refine your backpacking checklist. As time goes, you'll find yourself picking up some decent sense of fine-tuning your art on the way, until your pack ultimately no longer resembles a truck and you no longer carry nearly as many bagels.

In the meantime, here are some backpacking pointers and tips for you live by before you decide to learn under Experience when your degree from On-the-Trail University.

Have Some Fun

That's what backpacking is all about. Sure, there are a bunch of reasons why you put on those boots, but in the final analysis, all of that comes down to one thing “fun. Without that, then it isn't worth it. Who would like to endure so much the problems of backpacking when all they get out of it are countless bug bites and maybe 1 or 2 scrapes here and there? If it was not fun, would any person even bother?

So take this advice: have some fun. Take it slow. Watch a cloud form. Breathe in the air. The no 1 rule in the woods is “No Stress.” Breaking that rule is not an option.

Be Prepared

Because backpacking is fun doesn't suggest you can forget safety all together. Remember: this is the outside. Anything could happen. Ill-preparedness is the reason for too many backcountry disasters and near-misses. Insufficient clothing, absence of route-finding capability, bad judgment calls “all these have led on to life threatening scenarios in hiking.

The simplest way to be prepared while backcountry backpacking is knowing what conditions you are going into. After you do, figure out a method to cope with them and pack appropriately. You'll also inquire at park management who could give you valuable information on local conditions and permitting processes.

Know Your Gear

Being a trail dork isn’t so bad, especially if your life is on the line. And knowing which insulation your sleeping bag uses doesn't mess up your “cool” image in anyhow if it seems a hurricane is brewing and the night is going to be most likely freezing cold.

Knowing your hardware is a good idea because your gear may well be called upon to save your life one day.

Joseph Robertson has for a while been an advocate of mastering your backpacking checklist. Check out the blog for more great info on making your backpacking checklist.

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