Backpacking

Backpacking has two meanings. One is playing tourist in a foreign city or country, the other describes lightweight camping where the only equipment you make use of is carried on your back in a backpack or a rucksack. It's the camping type of backpacking that I'm referring to here.

Backpacking and camping out with a tent and sleeping bag is much different from family camping in a car. When you're backpacking, weight is everything and size and bulk are important too. And you need to be reasonably fit and healthy if you are going to walk any kind of distances with all that camping gear fitted into your backpack.

backpacking isn't for you if you expect to carry all the luxuries of home, or even those the car-camper or RV enthusiast takes for granted. You need to be disciplined to know what not to take with you. And you need to understand what's really essential and bring nothing else.

No large tents here. Anyone carrying their portable home and life-support system in a backpack needs to save every ounce. Your camping tent or shelter will need to be small and efficient, such as a lightweight one or two-man dome or just a tarp.

Sleeping bags will almost certainly be down bags, because they pack into much less space and are lighter than synthetic ones. A small foam pad between the shoulders and buttocks takes minimum room but still helps you to sleep comfortably. And a small camping cooker using bottled propane or other fuel can help you heat hot drinks and very simple meals. Now, don't forget a pocket knife, matches and some toilet paper.

A toothbrush, comb, small towel, a small piece of soap and maybe a razor are also a good idea, unless you really want to look like Grizzly Adams.

When you're low on packing space, limit your spare clothing to a couple of clean underpants and several changes of socks. You can wash the dirty ones every night as you go along and even hang then inside your tent to dry - or hang them on the outside of your backpack while you hike in the sunshine. A spare shirt and shorts for night wear, or pyjamas, plus a pullover and a rainproof jacket make up most of your kit.

Make your first few backpacking trips short ones. That way you can learn from your mistakes more quickly, and you don't have to suffer the consequences of any mistakes for too long. Each time you set out on a hike or a backpacking excursion, you should be able to do with a smaller, more accurate list of the camping equipment and personal items you really need. This is one area where experience really does pay off.