Alison Fensterer

Dr. Arnold

UWRT 1101-073: Writing & Inquiry in Academic Contexts I

September 16, 2015

Planning Ahead for the Big Trip:

An Ethnography on planning for a backpacking trip

Waking up to the birds chirping, the creek slowly moving and the calmness of the

wilderness around you is how most backpackers in Western North Carolina wake up. A

backpacking trip is essentially packing a backpack, going out in the woods on a trail and

camping overnight. Before going out and enjoying nature you have to put time into planning the

trip. Many people underestimate the time and effort it takes in planning a backpacking trip. You

must consider where you should go, the gear you should bring, the weather, food and many other

details. Going on a backpacking trip involves a lot of planning, research and work that can vary

in length but will pay off in the long run.

The goal of this ethnography is so show people how much planning goes into a

backpacking trip. People think that you can just pack up and go, however there are key factors

that go into the planning of a backpacking trip.

Before going out on a trail to backpack you begin with the first and most important step.

“The first step in planning any multi-day backpacking trip is picking a destination.” (Planning

for a Backpacking Trip ). When picking a destination it is most important to think of the mileage

you would do each day. “When determining how many miles to hike each day, consider the

terrain and whether you’d like a leisurely pace or would you rather cover as much ground as

possible on your trip.” (Planning for a Backpacking Trip ). Beginners are cautioned to go easy

on their first trip out. “A one-night trip makes sense for beginners.” (Staff). After you have

picked your location you have to determine the best time of year to go. Looking into the climate

of the area you pick not only effects your trip but your packing. If you pick a location with

heavy rain or if you pick an area that is hotter you need to pack accordingly. Lastly after you

decide where to backpack you should look into any regulations that area might have. To go

camping in a specific area you might need a permit. The area you decide to camp on might be in

a National Forest, which would have specific rules you would need to follow. “You may be able

to find information from park rangers or park websites in the area you’re interested in

exploring.” (Staff). Picking a place to backpack is only the first step.

Your main concern while backpacking is making sure you do not have too much weight

in your pack. Your pack can vary in weight depending on how much you brought or how long

the trip is. Backpacks come in many different sizes depending on how much weight it can

handle and how many days the trip is. You should look for a backpack that will meet both of

these requirements for your trip. Getting a backpack that fits you is very important. If you have

to carry it for 10 miles you need to make sure it fits. “Backpacks are sized according to torso

length, not a person’s height.” (Staff). This is a common misconception people may have. If

you go to any store where they sell backpacking gear someone who works there could fit you for

one. Once you have your backpack you need to pack it correctly. “A general rule of thumb is to

put water, cooking gear, and other heavy items close to the center of your back and pack lighter-

weight items around them.” (Planning for a Backpacking Trip ). Having all of the heavier gear

in the middle of your back will help keep your cent of balance and will help with back pain. It is

smart too to keep maps, water and some snacks near the top of your pack because those are the

items you would need the most while just hiking to the camp site. As you can see a lot of

planning goes into finding the correct pack and then how to pack it wisely.

Now that you have your important piece of gear out of the way you need to move onto

the smaller items. Many people might worry because some pieces of camping equipment can be

heavy and bulky, but there is no need to. “Many comforts of home also come in impressively

lightweight backpacking forms: stoves, cushy sleeping pads, camp pillows.” (Staff). While you

do have to pack wisely luckily many companies do have lightweight gear you can get. Most of

the gear you need is common sense. You will need to get a tent of some type. Tents come in

different sizes so you would want to look for a smaller one depending on how many people will

be using it. Some people actually sleep in hammocks when they go backpacking. They can

easily be folded up and take up little room in your pack. You need some type of flashlight.

Carrying a lantern would just be pointless when you could easily pack a flashlight in your pack.

They have checklists for backpacking all the internet to make sure you get all of the equipment

you will need.

One piece of equipment you might not think of right off the top of your head is food.

Food is very essential for backpacking because if you walk 10 miles you need to make sure you

have enough food to replenish yourself. “For simplicity choose freeze-dried food that requires

just a few cups of boiling water and 10 minutes of wait time.” (Staff). Freeze-dried foods just for

camping can be found at many stores including Dicks. They usually come in many different

flavors such as; spaghetti, beef stew and even breakfast foods. “Lunch can be a meal or several

breaks for snacks such as trail mix, jerky, dried fruit, chunks of cheese and energy foods (bars,

chews and gels).” (Staff). Keeping snacks like these on hand and available is a smart tip.

Stopping for lunch and heating up the freeze-dried food would take too long if you were on a set

itinerary. However if you were taking your time then stopping to eat would not really effect

anything. Always remember when eating in the woods to not leave any food laying out or leave

any trash. “Pack out what you pack in.” (Staff). This is a common saying among backpackers

just setting a friendly reminder not to leave trash.

Closer to your trip you need to check the weather in the area where you are planning to

backpack. Doing this will help determine what kind of clothes to wear and pack. Firstly it is

smart to wear fabric that is either polyester or wool instead of cotton, because cotton can take too

much time to dry. If it is going to be hot on your trip you should look into convertible pants.

“Convertible pants are popular. Their lower-leg portions can zip off if you want more air and

sun.” (Staff). You will see most people backpacking wearing hiking boots. They are made

specifically for hiking because they come up around your ankle and provide support for them.

“Tennis shoes and urban/athletic footwear are too flexible for roots and rocks on trails.” (Staff).

After you pick out your boots you want to get socks that are wool or synthetic. You want to stay

away from cotton socks when backpacking long distances they usually give your feet blisters.

Always bring a rain jacket with you. The REI Staff mentions to bring one with you even if the

weather is dry because it helps keep bugs off of you when you are just sitting around camp.

(Staff). These basic guidelines can help you decide on what clothes to bring depending on the

weather in the area you plan on going.

After planning and doing the major research for your trip there are only a few

minor details left. You should think about doing these last minute things a week or two before

your trip. Firstly you should type or write an itinerary that you can give someone who is staying

in town. This is in case something happens to you someone knows where you are. “Leave a

copy of the itinerary under a seat in your vehicle.” (Tischler). So if a search and rescue team

needs to find you they can quickly. You should think about calling ahead. “Contact a ranger

office at or near your destination. Ask about road closures, trial conditions, permit requirements,

animal activity or any temporary restrictions.” (Staff). Make sure that your car can handle

driving on backroads that are most likely gravel. Usually on these roads there is a large drop off

on one side. Making sure your car can handle the gravel is very important. You should test out

your gear before you go. “Take a short overnight trip before striking out on a bigger trip or even

just camp in your backyard for a night with the gear you plan to use.” (Planning for a

Backpacking Trip ). This will save a lot of time when you get to your campsite because you will

already know how to use everything. Think about doing some exercise prior to your trip. “Your

cardiovascular fitness and leg strength will be of the utmost importance, so running, long day

hikes, and walking uphill with a weighted pack are all great ways to prepare.” (Planning for a

Backpacking Trip ). Lastly make sure you are prepared for emergency situations. Make sure

you have a first-aid kit with you. You have to be prepared in the woods because depending on

where you are the nearest town could be an hour or more away. These last minute details will

ensure that you will be prepared and have a safe trip.

Right before you start your hike take a moment to let your sense take everything in. If

you become lost in the woods you will need to rely on your senses. Do you remember what the

beginning of the tail looked like? Did you at any point hear other people on the trail? These

questions will be useful in case you get lost. “If you don’t already own a compass, at least have

an inexpensive beginner’s model and learn basic map-and-compass skills.” (Tischler). A

compass will help if you are lost so learning how to use one would be wise. Just remember that

if something does happen while you are backpacking to stay calm. Try to navigate back to

where you started, use all of your senses and try to come up with a plan on how to resolve the

issue. If someone in your group is injured remember that you have a first aid kit. You should

become familiar with what is in it before you start your trip. Try to fix the wound as much as

possible and make a plan with the other people in your group to get out of the woods. Keep in

mind the acronym that is mentioned in REI’s article, Backpacking Tips for Beginners, S-T-O-P.

Stop, Think, Observe and Plan. (Staff). Even if you have taken all of the precautions before

going on your trip, nature can be unpredictable so you should always be prepared.

As you can see planning for a backpacking trip takes more than just putting a few things

into a bag. You have to plan where you are going, get a pack that fits, and get appropriate gear

and clothing. You need to prepare not physically and by getting everything, but mentally. If it is

your first time make sure you are mentally prepared for anything nature might throw at you.

After you have experienced being in nature and away from electronics you will appreciate it so

much more. When you wake up hearing the bird chirping or the creek slowly moving you will

thank yourself for all of the planning, researching and work you have put into your trip.