Camping is fun, but backpacking is way better in comparison. I love to be outdoors, so if camping is the only option that is fine by me. Not many people I know are able to go backpacking right now and it is more fun when you go with friends. We all did agree that when the timing was right we would go backpacking again.
Camping by far is better than being stuck in doors. You get to pack up the car with all the gear you think you will need and travel off to the camp grounds. You pitch your tent and roll out your sleeping bag. At least you have the car near by just in case you forget something and have to run to the general store down the street.
Backpacking on the other had is much different. All the gear you will need needs to fit in or on the backpack you plan on carrying. Yes you carry your gear. Sometimes that pack can get up to 40 pounds. I know what some people are thinking, 40 pounds is too heavy to carry. Yes and no. After awhile you get used to it.
While you are packing you need to make sure you have the essentials:
Food (for however long you will be out)
Water (sometimes you have to carry in your own water, make sure to research about streams and rivers before you go)
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Extra clothes
Ways to cook your food (dehydrated food needs boiling water Flash Boils are great for this)
Jacket
Rain Poncho
Day pack
Bug spray
Sun block
The list can go on, but you get the idea.
Just before my husband and I got married we went back to visit his family and he was very excited about some backpacking backpacks that he was getting from his grandfather. He was like look honey we have backpacks now we can go backpacking. All the ones that his family had were the ones that had the frames on the outside. I looked at him and said "I will use one of mine." His are nice and all, I just prefer the ones with the frame on the inside of the bag. I have two really great bags, they are kinda like shoes. Your backpack has to match your outfit. Totally kidding. Each bag has features I really like which is why I got two.
When you get out there to start on your journey, it is always great to make sure everyone has a map of where we are going so you get lost you know where you are. Yeah that never really happened in the groups I went with. We always traveled in a group no matter how slow we were going. I am normally the slowest in the group, only because I like to look around at the scenery. I work in a cubical with grey walls to look at all day long. Nature is so amazing and if you don't slow down from time to time you will miss it. My friends know this as well so they will go ahead of me and if there is a split in the trail they will wait for me to catch up, so no one gets left behind.
If your backpack is fitted to you properly the weight of the pack won't be so bad. Make sure the weight is mostly on your hips. The shoulder straps should only have weight from the top of the bag so it stays close to your body. The majority of the weight needs to be on the hips.
When you are camping you don't get to see the back woods as well. You are also still close to civilization. There have been trails we have taken that are 10 miles in before we get to our camp site. You are completely separated from civilization. The great thing about it is you get to enjoy it without having to worry about your cell phone going off because work needs something done right this second that really isn't that important. Let's face it, no one is going to die because you didn't get someone a sales report.
Another reason why backpacking is better than camping, you don't have to leave at the end of your hike. You get to set up camp right there. Then you have the choice of moving on to another place in the morning or if you want to stay where you are and just explore the area. If you have kids I highly recommend starting them out with camping and doing day hikes. Make sure they wear a backpack (something light) for the day hikes so they get used to it. There is nothing worse than going on a backpacking trip than with a whiny kid. Trust me I KNOW.
What do you like about backpacking?
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