Differences Between Backpacking and Day Hiking
Many people who regularly take day hikes assume that backpacking is just day hiking plus spending the night. Wrong! The two activities have some very important differences.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS People often assume that since they regularly go on day hikes of 10 miles or more, they can cover the same distance when carrying overnight gear. This is a fundamental error because backpacking is an activity in which gravity displays its most sinister qualities. Your hips, shoulders, feet, knees, and probably a few body parts you had not even thought about in years will feel every extra ounce.
HIKING COMPANIONS Perhaps even more important, backpacking calls for a different mental attitude. It is usually unwise, for example, to travel alone, at least on your first few trips. This advice applies even to people who regularly take solo day hikes. Most people assume that this recommendation is for safety reasons, but while there is some safety in numbers, the main reason not to go backpacking alone is mental. Human beings are social animals. Most people enjoy backpacking (or any activity) much more if they have along at least one compatible companion with whom they can share the day’s events and experiences. Having a hiking partner will also make your journey more comfortable because you can lighten your load by sharing the weight of community items such as a tent, cookstove, and water filter. If you don’t have the sales skills to talk reluctant friends or skeptical family members into coming along, consider joining a hiking club, where you will find plenty of people with similar outdoor interests. (See Appendix C, for the names and addresses of some local organizations.)
Having good company on the trail (in this case, the Deschutes River Trail) can make your backpacking trip even more enjoyable.
SKILLS NEEDED Another thing that distinguishes backpacking from day hiking is that backpackers need a different set of skills. They need to know how to hang their food to keep out bears and other critters. They need to know how to select an appropriate campsite, one where breezes will keep the bugs away, where there aren’t dangerous or unstable snags overhead, where the runoff from overnight rains won’t create a lake beneath their tent, and a host of other variables. They need to know the optimal way to put things into their packs (where heavy items belong versus lighter ones) to carry a heavier load in the most comfortable way possible. Although the list of skills is long, they are all interesting, relatively easy to learn, and well worth the time and effort to acquire. (Turn to the recommended reading section in Appendix B, for a list of books that will help.)
IMPACT ON NATURE One final, often-overlooked difference between day hiking and backpacking is that backpackers need to be much more careful to minimize their impact on the land. All hikers should do things like pick up litter, avoid fragile vegetation, avoid cutting switchbacks, and leave wildlife alone. For backpackers, however, there are additional considerations.
Because you’ll probably be doing a lot of wandering around near camp, it is crucial that you put your tent in a place that is either compacted from years of use or can easily take the impact without being damaged. A campsite on sand, on rock, or in a densely wooded area is best. Never camp on fragile meadow vegetation or immediately beside a lake or stream. If you see a campsite starting to develop in an inappropriate location, be proactive: place a few limbs or rocks over the area to discourage further use, scatter horse apples, and remove any fire-scarred rocks.
In a designated wilderness area, regulations generally require that you camp at least 100 feet from water. In places with long-established camps that are already heavily impacted, however, land managers usually prefer that you use the established site, even if it is technically too close to water, rather than trampling a new area.
CAMPFIRES Do not build campfires. Although fires were once a staple of camping and backpacking, today few areas can sustain the negative impact of fires. In many wilderness areas and national parks, fires are now officially prohibited, especially at higher elevations. For cooking, use a lightweight stove (they are more reliable, easier to use, and cleaner than fires). For warmth, try adding a layer of clothing or going for an evening stroll.
EQUIPMENT Probably the most obvious difference between day hiking and backpacking is the equipment involved. Like day hikers, all backpackers should carry the “10 Essentials” listed in the previous section. But when you are spending the night, there are numerous other items you will need to remain safe and reasonably comfortable. Important items that every backpacker should carry but that day hikers rarely need include:
• A sleeping bag or backpacking quilt (preferably filled with synthetic material, as down doesn’t work as well in our wet climate)
• A tent (with a rain fly, mosquito netting, and a waterproof bottom). And don’t forget to run a test by putting the thing up in the backyard first, so you aren’t trying to puzzle out how it works and discovering you are three stakes short of accomplishing the task as a rainstorm starts in the backcountry. (Don’t ask me how I know this—just take my word for it.)
• A water filter or other water-purification system
• A lightweight sleeping pad for comfort and insulation against the cold ground
• Fifty feet of nylon cord for hanging your food away from critters at night
• Personal hygiene items
• Insect repellent (especially in July and early August in the mountains)
• A lightweight backpacker’s stove with fuel, cooking pots, and utensils if you want hot meals
Gear
FOOTWEAR The appropriate hiking footwear provides stability and support for your feet and ankles while protecting them from the abuses of the environment. A pair of lightweight hiking boots or trail-running shoes is generally adequate for most hikes, though hikers with weak ankles may want to opt for heavier, midweight hiking boots. When selecting footwear, keep in mind that the most important feature is a good fit—your toes should not hit the front while going downhill, your heel should be locked in place inside the boot to prevent friction and blisters, and there should be minimal extra space around your foot (although you should be able to wiggle your toes freely). When lacing them, leave the laces over the top of your foot (instep) loose, but tie them tightly across the ankle to lock the heel down. Break in new boots before taking them on an extended hike to minimize the chance of blisters—simply wear them around as much as possible beforehand.
SOCKS After armpits, feet are the sweatiest part of the human body—and wet feet are much more prone to blisters. Good hiking socks wick moisture away from your skin and provide padding for your feet. Avoid cotton socks as these quickly saturate, stay wet inside your shoes, and take forever to dry. Wool provides warmth and padding and, while it does absorb roughly 30 percent of its weight in water, effectively keeps your feet dry. If regular wool makes your feet itch, try softer merino wool. Nylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene (also called olefin) are all synthetic fibers that absorb very little water, dry quickly, and add durability.
Middle Rock Lake, on the Shellrock and Serene Lakes Loop (Trip 46), makes a good goal for an intermediate-level backpacking trip.
BLISTER KIT Blisters are usually caused by friction from foot movement (slippage) inside the shoe. Prevent them by buying properly fitting footwear, taking a minimum of one to two weeks to break them in, and wearing appropriate socks. If your heel is slipping and blistering, try tightening the laces across your ankle to keep the heel in place. If you notice a blister or hot spot developing, stop immediately and apply adhesive padding (such as moleskin) over the spot. Bring a lightweight pair of scissors