5 Tested Tips for An Awesome Wilderness Backpacking Adventure

Stepping into the wilderness, whether for one night or a month long adventure, opens up a world of new experiences. I’ll be the first to admit that, while I enjoy a good hike, I’m just not a sleep in the wilderness kind of person. My husband, on the other hand, recently returned from what has become his annual  backpacking adventure with the guys, this time in North Cascades National Park in scenic Washington. Keep reading to see a few of his photos from this beautiful area. He’s been backpacking on and off for over 40 years, and has many wonderful memories of time spent in the wilderness. The peace of hiking in relative solitude, the joy of finding a pristine mountain lake, or the calm of watching a spectacular sunset or night sky are just some of the reasons he loves to head off into the backcountry. Whether you go with a hiking buddy or off for a family adventure, proper planning and preparation can go a long way to minimizing the challenges you are sure to find along the way. My husband has traveled with both kids and adults over the years, and offers these 5 backpacking tips along with some gear suggestions for beginner backpacking. 
*This post was updated April, 2023

*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own. 

1. Find the Right Destination. So you want to go on a backpacking trip, yet not sure where to go? Just remember that you often don’t have to venture far from home to find solitude in the backcountry, and heading off for the weekend is great for beginners. One place to start your trip planning is your local outdoor store, often filled with knowledgeable employees who spend much of their free time out exploring. Plus it’s a great resource for maps, trail guides and books for the general area you are interested in. Check online, where you can usually find hiking resources by geographic locations.

​Around the Mid-Atlantic area, Hiking Upward is one such free resource, with information and hiker reviews about trails throughout the region, as far south as North Carolina. Always be sure to check in advance for any required permits, such as the one my husband had to get over 6 months in advance when they wanted to camp last year in certain areas in the Enchantments.  And don't forget about State parks, which are often not far from home.  

2. Bring What You Need, Not What You Think You Need.  Just like any vacation, packing can be one of the most challenging aspects of a backpacking trip. For a beginner backpacker, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things you think you need, versus those that are truly necessary. Be wary of stores that try to sell you everything under the sun. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as to whether an item is really necessary. 
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Besides the basic gear like a tent, sleeping bag, backpack, footwear and food, some critical items include a map and compass, effective water treatment or water filtration system, a  first aid kit including personal medication, headlamp with spare batteries, lighter, sun protection, hat, and basic tools,  Some people choose to use hiking poles for extra stability, speed and taking the weight off your knees going downhill. For families with kids, small, travel sized games or a deck of cards, along with an e-reader can save you from a bad weather day meltdown.    

3. Find Lightweight Gear and Food Options. As with most hobbies, trying to find the right gear can be overwhelming. But buying the right backpack can go a long way to an enjoyable experience. You might think that having a pack with lots of pockets for storage is a good idea, but these types of backpacks start out heavier than those with just one large compartment. Choose a pack knowing that the base weight when packed, excluding food and water, should be no more than 20 pounds.

​Consider organizing your gear with lightweight pouches. For small kids, start out with a small backpack filled with lighter items. Regarding food, backpackers can find lots of choices of dehydrated meals on the market for an easy breakfast and dinner option. And according to my husband, a long handled spoon makes it easy to get every last bit of food out of the dehydrated meal pouch. Just don’t forget to include a small, lightweight titanium pot for boiling water for those meals in a pouch along with an ultralight backpacking stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket 2. For more outdoor meal planning ideas and other camping resources, follow the familyTravelsUSA Camping, Hiking & Biking Adventures Pinterest board.

4. Buy The Best That You Can Afford. In addition to buying a lightweight backpack, spending money on proper footwear is critical. Whether you are hiking for 2 days or 30, having a good fitting shoe that has been broken in can make or break a hike. Every brand is different, so make sure that the shoe your friend recommends actually works for your feet; breaking in a new pair of hiking shoes/boots inside the house with the socks you will use is always a good idea. With plenty of lightweight hiking footwear on the market, there is definitely a shoe for everyone. As far as clothes, choose from a variety of moisture wicking undergarments that will keep your skin dry, and make sure to change before you go to bed. Finally, create a comfortable sleeping system, including a quality sleeping pad and bag. 

​5. Expect the Unexpected. Anyone who heads off into the wilderness will often tell you to be prepared for the unexpected. On the positive side, this can include a gorgeous sunset after a heavy rain, the sudden glimpse of a wild animal across a valley, or cresting a trail and coming upon a crystal blue alpine lake. On the other side of the coin, bad weather, medical issues, and unexpected up-close animal encounters are just a few of the things where preparation can make a difference in the outcome.

When my husband and two friends were on the last day of their 5 day adventure in North Cascades National Park, he began experiencing stomach pains worse than he had ever felt in his life. With 8 miles to go to the trailhead, he and his buddies had to make some important decisions; push through or send a hiker ahead for help? The agonizing pain came and went, and with the help of rest and over the counter pain medicine, he was able to push through and thankfully they encountered a wilderness ranger who escorted them the last 4 miles back to the parking lot. The end result was a visit to the local emergency room with a kidney stone diagnosis. Lessons learned: have an emergency exit strategy that may include your group splitting up, be sure to keep age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relief medicine in your first aid kit, keep calm and assess the situation and options, carry a cellphone to be used in emergencies (along with an extra power source, although more often than not there is no cell service), and always hike with a buddy or two.  ​

A special thanks to my husband for sharing his tips and a few photos from his recent adventure. And also many thanks to his backpacking buddies and the wilderness ranger at North Cascades National Park for helping him through his unexpected medical issues on the trail.  ​

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