13 Backpacking Tips For Your First Big Adventure

By Ashley Cooke

Updated on 7/13/2016 at 1:00 PM

Lauren Byrnes
Lauren Byrnes

So you've decided to lace up your boots and take a life-changing trek somewhere in our beautiful world — now what? Preparation can be stressful if you don't know what to expect. But, don't be intimidated. In my opinion, hiking is the one sport you can pretend to know a lot about and love and kind of get away with. Here's a checklist of things to keep in mind as you prep your pack and ready your mind for an experience (and hike!) of a lifetime.

  1. Pack light dinner options. For easy meal prep, choose freeze-dried food that requires just a few cups of boiling water and a 10-minute wait time. Try oatmeal, lasagna, or rice.
  2. Bring tools and utensils that have dual uses. Like a spork — it will become your best friend when it comes to chowing down.
  3. Don't pack a pillow. For a lighter load, just use clothes you aren't wearing to cushion your head for stargazing.
  4. Bring a deck of cards, a Frisbee, or Pictionary. It's amazing what the imagination can come up with when you're unplugged — even a stick for tic-tac-toe works.
  5. Baby powder is a must. Uses include shampoo, deodorant, a cure for chaffing, and drying out damp boots. (Dampness is real, even if you have waterproof boots!)
  6. Bring a headlamp and extra batteries. Many backpacking trails don't allow fires. After watching the sunset at your nearest clearing, light your way back to home base sporting this.
  7. Use electrolyte packets to ward off dehydration. Even if you're drinking a lot of water, it's better to be safe than sorry!
  8. Wear waterproof boots and bring extra socks. Hopping over streams and frolicking through dew can be rough if you don't have the right gear. REI has some cute pairs that get the job done.
  9. Pack a light windbreaker. It will ward off mosquitoes at night without overheating your body.
  10. Try on and adjust your chest clip before the trip. Find the right balance for back support and avoid squishing your boobs and restricting chest expansion for breathing.
  11. Plan your distance. When planning your trip, add about one and a half times the amount of time you would hike the distance without your backpack. Don't be afraid to take breaks!
  12. Prep with some girl-power realness. In the days leading up to your trip, watch the movie Wild staring Reese Witherspoon. She portrays Cheryl Strayed, who hiked more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone. Talk about adventure inspiration.
  13. Lastly, take it all in. Don't feel the need to film the entire trip. Attach a GoPro to your chest clip, or bring a throwaway camera. We live in a beautiful world, and you don't want to miss any of it!