6 Useful Tips for Safe Summer Backpacking in the Backcountry
Tips for Safe Summer Backpacking – Every avid hiker can recall their first backpacking experience. The smell of the trees, the fresh air on your face, the stunning views (and the blisters on your feet!)
It is generally safe outdoor activity. Especially when you plan and follow the rules. Even seasoned hikers still have to stick to backpacking safety best practices to stay safe.
And if you are a beginner, it is even more critical that you follow the rules to the letter. It would help if you did not underestimate how quickly a bad decision and poor planning can put you at serious risk. Hence, regardless of the number of times you have gone backpacking, these tips are very valuable for safe summer backpacking in the backcountry.
Useful Tips for Safe Summer Backpacking in the Backcountry
#1. Research! Research! Research!
You save yourself a lot of worries by just carrying out the needed research on the location you will be backpacking in. And this becomes much more important if you’re going alone. Create a backpacking trip plan on a digital document.
Contain every activity you consider in detail, including the terrain, food, water, and more. Share this plan with family and friends so they know when to expect you back.
Here are planning tips to work with:
- Research the mileage of your trail. Consider how many times you intend to go in a day while moving your heavy pack
- Harness a map and check where it’s most suitable to camp
- Look for water sources around where you intend to camp. If there’s none, plan around going with sufficient water. And even if you find water sources, you should consider ways to filter out bacteria from the water that could cause sickness.
#2. Create a Checklist
If you forget anything vital, you’ll ruin your fun. Hence, it is important to keep everything in view with a checklist.
Some very important items not to leave out of the essential backpacking equipment include a water filter, a hardcopy map, extra food, extra clothing, sufficient water, a pack of waterproof matches, sun protection, sunglasses, a headlamp with extra batteries, a fire starting kit, a sleeping bag, and a basic first aid kit, among others.
#3. Plan To Go With Someone You Trust
It is okay to go alone if you have everything well planned out (and tell someone about it), but it is much safer to backpack along with a friend you trust. Aside from the extra safety benefits, it adds much fun to the experience.
And even when you forget something, your friend can be there to fill in the vacuum for you. Like a firestarter, your friend could easily pull out theirs. Injury is one other thing that can’t be predicted. It is better when there is a friend to help. And much better if you have a larger group of mature people around you!
check out the Good Benefits of Rains Backpack You Need to Know.
#4. Acquire Basic Survival Skills
So, what if something goes wrong? Have you thought about that? Like your tent gets damaged, or a tire gets spoiled while in a backcountry. What will you do?
This isn’t to create fear, However, you must be able to make certain decisions to stay alive in unexpected situations. You’ll be glad you have basic backpacking survival skills in times like this.
Some skills to learn you include how to make fire without using matches or lighter, how to navigate without having Google maps, how to purify water without having a filter, and how to build a shelter.
You may want to check out Why You Need An Adventure Backpack?
#5. Leave No Trace
While planning to have an experience in the outdoors, also plan to minimize the impact you make on the landscape. Bear in mind that people were there before you, and many others will visit after you leave, and you do not like to see the place in a mess on your next backpacking outing.
Follow these tips to use the outdoors responsibly and maintain hygiene when hiking:
- Travel and camp in durable spots.
- Leave whatever you find on your visit.
- Dispose of your waste properly.
- Give regard to wildlife.
- Reduce the impact of a campfire as much as you can.
- Be considerate to other adventurers.
#6. Consider a Premade First Aid Kit
Unexpected situations may occur, and you may need to administer first aid. Do not overlook the potential dangers of bites, trips, falls, cuts, and other risks that may occur. Always be first aid ready. While it is fine to create your own, you may be more assured of results with a premade first aid kit specially designed for outdoor usage.
This kit should contain the usual bandages, band-aids, and medications for treating stings and bites. You’ll also find some with extra survival supplies. Don’t forget to pack some high-filtered masks in case of an emergency during the trip.
Utilize These Safety Tips And Have The Most Memorable Experience Backpacking
Whatever decision you make regarding your backpacking trip, make sure to prioritize these safety tips to avoid backpacking mistakes. When it is safe, it will be fun. And with a great outdoor experience, you’ll have more confidence on your next visit.
