Many campers talk romantically about plans to one day try backpacking. Ditch the car, the cooler and crowded campsite for the freedom of carrying everything you need on your back. Every backpacker had a first try once, so make this year your year to give it a go. Here’s what you’ll need.
Gear: The fact is, there’s a chance you will hate backpacking and never go again. With that in mind, try to borrow quality gear from friends or head over to Four Bridges Outfitters on North Market Street or the Gear Closet on Riverside Drive to shop for used (and cheaper) gear. You will probably love backpacking and keep your gear, but if you don’t you can always consign it back through either shop and get most of your money back.
Route: There’s no shame in 6-8 mile hikes each day, and if there is much elevation change, going more than 10 is probably overly optimistic. Hiking 9 miles might seem like a piece of cake, but backpacking will take more out of you. If you’re packing a trip into a regular weekend, consider car camping near your start point on Friday night to get an early start on Saturday.
Training: It’s a good idea to load up your pack with close to a full load and take a short hike near home. You might look a little silly with a full overnight pack at Greenway Farms, but this will give you a chance to get a feel for the weight and fine tune any adjustments that might be needed with your pack or other gear.
Company: Part of the fun of backpacking is sharing the experience, so go with a friend. On your first trip, finding a partner who has gone backpacking before will be a huge plus as their experience will help you with everything from packing to campsite etiquette.
Food: Keep it simple, especially if you’re only going one night. Trail mix, an apple, a little jerky and a can of beans or soup is probably all you’ll need for day one. Pre-cooked, microwave-ready bacon and some instant oatmeal, followed by trail mix and a sandwich should get you through day two.
Place: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is three hours away and has virtually endless camp options with jaw-dropping beauty, including a few loops that include part of the Appalachian Trail. Trails around the Black Mountain Range in North Carolina, which includes the highest peak in the east at Mount Mitchell, make for some great trips. About an hour from Chattanooga, Savage Gulf with its plentiful waterfalls has been rated one of the top backpacking locations in the country. All three require permits, so call ahead and register.