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I love getting out into the wilderness and exploring. The fresh air, the incredible views, it’s all just breathtaking! Before I go though, I have to decide if I’m day hiking or backpacking so that I know what to bring with me. Some people may not know the difference. If you’re not quite sure, keep reading.
Day Hiking
Day hiking is usually a trek that is no more than a few miles long. It’s something that you’re able to do anytime with minimal equipment. Your fitness and abilities, as well as the chosen terrain, will determine how long you of a hike you’re able to do. There are a few things that you should take along with you if you’ll be doing a day hike.
- Backpack to keep all of the necessities in
- Snacks – Be sure to have plenty of healthy snacks available to keep your body fueled. Check out here to see what some of the best food are to bring with you.
- First Aid Kit – Believe it or not, you should always have one with you. Anything can happen on a hike. This doesn’t need to be large but should have the basic first aid items.
- Water – This is a necessity! Without water, your body will fail you. You need to be drinking at least a liter of water an hour, depending on the outside weather. Hotter temperatures will require more water. Not a fan of plain water? No problem, just add some flavor drops or try Gatorade or Powerade.
- Appropriate Clothing – Check the forecast before heading it. Is there rain in the forecast? Snow? Be sure to bring a raincoat, hats, gloves or whatever else you may need!
Backpacking
Backpacking is different in that you plan on sleeping outside. This isn’t camping. This may be a trip that is one night or could be months long. It’s one that won’t be done in a few hours. You’ll still have a backpack, but much larger than a day pack. You’ll be carrying everything you need to survive the day and night. Here’s the most important things that you’ll need to bring along.
- Backpack – Once again, to keep all of your necessary items in.
- Tent or Hammock – Depending on your preference, you will need some sort of shelter. This will be a lightweight item, not your typical camping tent!
- Sleeping Bag – A sleeping bag is great to help keep you warm at night. It may not be necessary in the summer but the rest of the year, when the temperatures begin dropping at night, this is an essential item.
- Sleeping Pad – Some sort of pad that you sleep on top of. It could be a blowup type, self-inflatable or even one that’s more of a yoga mat. The purpose of the sleeping pad is to keep you comfortable at night so you aren’t sleeping directly on the ground. It also helps protect you from some of the coldness from the ground, keeping you warmer at night so that you can sleep better.
- Water Filter – You will not be able to carry all of your water with you from the beginning of the trail if you’re backpacking. You’ll need to filter some water along the way. Some people choose to drink directly from springs and streams, however, I would never suggest that. There are far too many parasites in that water and I’m not risking getting an upset stomach in the middle of nowhere.
- Food – You’ll need plenty of food to get you through your trip. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Be sure to keep it nutritional. Lots of carbs and proteins!
- Stove – To me, this is a necessity, but not to everyone. Many people backpack without ever having to warm up any food. Not me though, I need a nice warm dinner! You want a small portable stove and fuel to warm water or food.
- First Aid Kit – Again, extremely important to have a first aid kit on you. Anything can happen. Sometimes I’ll start my morning with a couple Tylenol or Motrin just to try to combat some of the pain that will come from all your hard work that day.
- Headlamp – Even if you aren’t doing any night hiking, you will still need a headlamp. What if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night??!!
- Shovel – When being outdoors, it’s always important to remember to Leave No Trace. Something we all have to do is use the bathroom and that’s where the shovel comes in. You’ll want to dig a cat hole, do your business, and cover it back up. Please pack out any tissues or toilet paper that you use.
As you can see, there’s a lot more that you add to a backpack when you’re planning on doing an overnight. The weight of your bag will be significantly heavier than your daypack.
Which do you prefer – day hiking or backpacking?