call of the wild beginner guide download free

Talk with an experienced backpacker, a ranger, or a local guide for more information. Read trip reports online and study topo maps to get a sense of the landscape. Make sure you know where the campsites and water access points are, along with potential fire hazards, and where you can bail out if things go south. Start with around 5 miles per day to get comfortable. Since you’re not used to hiking with a heavy pack, plan to cover less distance in a day than you would on a dayhike.

When you’re ready to level up, go for a trail with ample camping opportunities and abundant natural water sources. Lose the mentality that backpacking at its purest is a rough and tough activity -if you’re nervous, choose a hike that runs near amenities such as public restrooms, designated campsites, and water spigots. As a beginner backpacker, having other hikers around can be comforting. It’s OK to choose a trail that isn’t in the deep woods or over sky-scraping mountains. The path less traveled isn’t for everybody. The internet is a great place to begin choosing your trail: Search apps like Gaia GPS, AllTrails, Hiking Project, and Komoot for well-established routes. Researching the Indigenous presence and history of that specific region will also add significance to where you choose to travel. Sure, national parks have plenty of allure, but hiking through an area that your ancestors once traveled or where you feel nostalgia can be worth so much more. Start with a place that inspires you or that you have a personal connection to. Here’s how to pick the perfect beginner-friendly spot. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!īefore you can bask in the joys of nature and catch sunset from your tent, you need to decide where to go.

Call of the wild beginner guide download free