At age six, I wanted to be a hobo. I packed my red bandana with Scooby Doo fruit snacks, secured it to the end of a long, sturdy stick, and swung it over my shoulder with confidence. I have a distinct memory of my mom questioning my behavior.
āAre you running away?ā She asked in a playful tone while peering out the kitchen window. She hoped and prayed I would not disobey and set foot outside the boundaries of the yard, but deep down she knew I wouldn't dare. While I had a habit of expressing obedience growing up, I still desired to adventure. It had been imprinted on my heart since the day I could toddle to the end of the driveway.
At age eighteen I read the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed, a memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone, trudging every step in a pair of hiking boots from REI, and carrying everything needed in a backpack named Monster. After reading about the author's gutsy trek across the country, I wanted a taste of the "Strayed" life myself!
Soon after finishing the book, I caught a chance to immerse myself into the wild. I chatted with my good friend Marie who had been on a backpacking trip the summer before. We both wanted to give backpacking a shot, and decided to plan a trip despite the lack of gear we had.
By the end of the week, we sped straight toward the Superior Hiking Trail with backpacks shoved full of gear and early 2000s mixtapes pumping jams through the speakers of my Honda Accord. How did we manage to pull off this endeavor? Read these tips so you can live the "Strayed" life too!
1. Find a backpack
When dreams of backpacking first dance through the mind, it is a wise idea to test the waters with a borrowed backpack. If nobody seems to have an extra backpack laying around, Craigslist often has them for a good deal. Either way, make sure the backpack is adjusted to fit the body it will be worn upon. This tip is key to ensuring a manageable hike.
2. Pick the smallest tent available
I may be cheating a bit when I say that I already had a two person tent to begin with. My dad snagged it off the shelf at an REI sale. However, if I did not have access to this tent, I would have considered these options.
- Use a four person tent (which is significantly larger, but usable.)
- Ask to borrow someone elseās tent
- Try taking hammocks instead
- Consider looking for one on Craigslist
3. Buy or borrow a water filter
If traveling away from clean water for longer than a day, this tip is essential. The best option proves to be the simple Sawyer water filter. They cost around $20 at REI. It takes awhile to filter water, but is ideal for short backpacking trips.
4. Buy or borrow a gas stove and gas can
These backpacking stoves are found at REI for $20 as well. They are small, but work exceptionally well. A new gas can may need to be purchased after every trip. These are between $5 to $8 depending on the size. If gas is used sparingly, a single gas can may be used for multiple trips. A small, light pot to set on top of the stove may be necessary to boil your chili, soup or oatmeal.
5. Plan the route
Being a Minnesota resident, there are many backpacking options nearby my home. So far, the only places I have backpacked have been along the Superior Hiking Trail. The SHT runs alongside Highway 61 near Lake Superior, and claims to be the clearest marked trail in comparison to other designated hikes in the country. A perfect place for a first time backpacker to hike would be around the Cascade River Loop.There is free parking at the trail head on Pike Lake Road, and water is easily accessible with a filter.
6. Go easy on the food
Space for food is scarce on a backpacking trip, and the ways of storing and preparing it are limited. For a helpful starting point, this is what I have typically eaten on my backpacking trips:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal, (Stored in a plastic bag pre mixed. Just add water and boil) Granola Bars or Cereal bars
- Lunch: Sandwiches. Turkey and cheese sandwiches taste fine after a three day trip.
- Dinner: Anything canned with a āpop tabā opener. This eliminates the need to bring a can opener. Also, you can plop the can right on the stove after peeling the paper wrapper off. This way, you will not have to clean a pot.
- Snacks: Granola bars, trail mix and extra sandwiches make great snacks.
7. Final essentials
Every backpacker needs to acquire the skill of flexibility. No matter how much a trip is planned, something will go wrong. Understand that this can make the trip fun. Nothing is more satisfying than proving yourself to be self-sufficient in the wild! Whether rain pours the whole weekend or the tent breaks while setting it up, stay positive and embrace the problems that come your way. Open up a package of Scooby Doo fruit snacks, take a deep breath, and enjoy the freedom nature brings.
