Backpacking trips can be extremely fun, but in order to make the most of them you have to ensure that you’re well prepared. There is nothing worse than getting to your destination only to find that you’ve left behind some irreplaceable item. With that in mind, here are the top five must-have items that you need for your spring backpacking trip.
1. The Right Clothing
You will want to make sure that you have the right clothing for your backpacking trip. Even if the weather is warm, you will want to have a few cold weather items with you, since temperatures may change, especially if you are going up into higher elevations. In some areas, extreme weather situations can happen, especially in the spring – rainstorm could come out of nowhere, drenching you and leaving you cold and miserable. Finding clothing that can pull double duty as both an insulator in chilly weather and a breathable fabric in hot weather would be ideal, and for this you’ll want Merino wool. Another one of the main benefits of merino wool clothing for backpacking, aside from being both breathable and insulating, is that it dries quickly, meaning that you won’t get caught too long in a sopping wet shirt.
- First Aid Kit
Never go backpacking without a quality first aid kit, because you never know when you, or a companion, are going to fall, get hurt or suffer from an insect sting. There are numerous accidents out there just waiting to happen! Here are some statistics on injuries while hiking, as well as some safety tips peppered in for good measure.
- Proper Shoes
Many people tend to go backpacking without the proper shoes. Make sure that you have shoes that are rated for hiking: these shoes should fit you well, without being too tight or too loose, and have a good amount of tread on them.
- Food
Make sure that you have a few protein or energy bars with you. If you backpack a long way from anywhere, you will need to have something to eat to keep up your energy. Keep a bag of trail mix or energy bar in your backpack at all times just in case. And if you’re anticipating being out in nature for a number of days, look into some freeze-dried and dehydrated meals.
- Water
It is super important to stay hydrated during your backpacking trip. Make sure that you have a water canteen with you or water bottle. Another option is to have a water purification straw or tablets with you so that you can drink the water out of any streams or creeks that you come across.
Going backpacking can be a fun experience but you need to be properly prepared. Make sure that you have warm clothing like Merino wool clothing and make sure that you have food, water, a first aid kit and proper shoes. This will help you to have a safe and fulfilling backpacking experience.
