Backpacking is one of the great outdoor hobbies. Hiking through luscious forests, scrambling atop granite peaks, and sleeping under the stars along an alpine lake is one of life’s finest gifts. In this article, we’ll explore how young teenagers can overcome challenges to start backpacking.
Unfortunately, there are many young individuals who want to start backpacking but have no idea where or how to begin. Several difficulties and obstacles keep teenagers from enjoying this recreation. Here are some tips and advice on how to get started as a young teenager.
Define Your Goals
Before you even think about hitting the trail, you need to ask yourself this question: What do I ultimately want to do with backpacking? Your answer to this question could be your overarching goal for your backpacking career. However, no matter what the answer to that question is, you need to start setting smaller goals for yourself in the meantime. You don’t need to go on a multi-day backpacking trip to summit the tallest mountain in your region for your first trip.
Pick easy and achievable goals when first starting out. Start with short day hikes in your area to get into the swing of it. Once you feel you have met that goal, maybe start trying longer and harder hikes. After that, try going to more remote locations. Then, try your first overnight camp trip. Keep gradually setting goals for yourself to eventually get to that first backpacking trip. Always remember that no matter how far you trek or how high you climb, keep expanding your goals so that you can go even farther and even higher.
Find Like Minded People
It’s always suggested that you go backpacking with other people due to safety reasons but also because it is more of a blast. The best way to do this is to bring along family and friends who are also into the outdoors. Join a club at your school that has people who also enjoy backpacking. If there is no such club at your school, then make one! Spread the love of the outdoors and the hobby of backpacking to other people.
Finding a Scout troop that is outdoor centric is a great option. You can also find local clubs in your area who hold trips and excursions. Going backpacking with other like minded people will always be a highlight of your journeys.
Start Training
It’s no secret that backpacking outdoors can be physically demanding. One of the best ways to train for this is to increase your cardiovascular fitness. There are very simple ways to do this such as going on walks, runs, and also just hiking local trails. AllTrails is a great resource to find local trails. Gradually increasing the difficulty on the trails can lead to improvements in your endurance and stamina. Strength training is also important for the outdoors. Lifting weights and building muscle has many benefits when it comes to backpacking such as being able to carry the heavy load on your back and improving mind-muscle connection.
You also want to train your skills in the outdoors. Learn how to spot a good campsite in the wild, learn how to watch for good and bad weather indications, and most of all, learn how to be safe. Know what to do if you encounter dangerous wildlife or if you find yourself in a dire medical situation. Honing in these skills could very well save your life.
Gearing Up
One of the largest hurdles that aspiring young backpackers face is accumulating gear. There are many ways that new backpackers can acquire good quality equipment at relatively low costs. One valuable resource is Ebay, which has almost every single piece of backpacking gear you can think of. Buying used equipment on Ebay is one of the best ways to attain gear at lower costs. Just make sure it is in ample and usable condition. If you’re fortunate enough to have family or relatives that have extra gear, using hand-me-downs can be an effective way to get started with no cost. Additionally, many outdoor retail stores, including REI, sell all sorts of used items spanning from hiking boots to tents. This is a fantastic way to find a great deal for quality equipment.
Overcoming Limitations of Being Young
Depending on how old you are, you may not be able to drive. Try to see if family members can drive you to trailheads and pick you up. If you have friends that can drive, see if they can give you a ride. Finding time to go backpacking among your school commitments and other responsibilities can be challenging, but it is achievable. Weekends are a great time to go on short overnight trips. Additionally, holidays and time off gives great opportunities for you to pick up your backpack and hit the trail.
It’s also very important to make sure that you get your parents to understand this is a passion of yours. Your parents being supportive of your endeavors is the best way to be successful as a youthful backpacker. Their support will aid you in accomplishing your goals from getting gear to getting to the trail head. Provide them detailed plans about every trip you want to go on such as where you will be going, the specific route you will be taking, and adequately address safety concerns. Demonstrating your responsibility and showing the value of backpacking to your parents is an excellent method in ensuring that they are accepting of your interest in this beautiful hobby.
