Backpacking for Beginners
This page is all about Backpacking for Beginners. So you want to start Backpacking? That's great. You are starting in the right place. What is Backpacking exactly? Well, the basic premise for all styles of backpacking is simple: load up your pack with what you need and start hiking. If you are just getting started you should know a little about how to be safe in the Wilderness. Safety is important when you are hours or sometimes days from reaching medical attention.
Click here to read about Backpacking Safety. Being comfortable in the Wilderness can be challenging for backpackers that are still learning the ropes. Learn a little about being comfortable while backpacking: Backpacking for Beginners: Click Here to Visit the Backpacking Comfort Page Before you go you need to ask yourself some questions. Some of those questions are: 
Where am I traveling?How far am I going? What time of year? What type of climate and weather should I expect? Am I trying to travel as light as possible or just light enough? Going solo or with a group? I other words, before you prepare or start buying all of your supplies, you need to know what you are preparing for. A weekend in the Mojave Desert in the Fall is going to look quite different from a week on the Appalachian Trail in the Spring or a long distance hike of any kind. All of these questions will influence your gear choices. If you are not sure exactly what you will encounter, that's no problem. You can still put together a great generic kit that will cover most of the bases. Then just add or subtract according to circumstances as they arise. There is an elephant in the room, and that is GEAR. When you get right down to it, hiking into the backcountry is all about you and your gear. What you use, how you use it and do you really need it. I have dedicated a lot of this site specifically to gear because it is, aside from your own wherewithal, the most important part of Backpacking. See information on types of gear and choosing the right gear for you by clicking on GEAR in the main navigation bar on the left side of the page. I would recommend reading through the rest of this page and familiarizing with the Basics before moving onto GEAR, but you may take on the information in whatever order you are comfortable with. For beginners, specifically, I have included a page on fitting your pack, boots, etc. Check it out and Go Backpacking. Backpacking for Beginners: Fitting your Backpack and Boots 
More Backpacking for BeginnersThere are also some logistical questions you need to ask before you go. Questions like: Do I need a permit? What are the regulations in the area I will be hiking through? Are there specific food storage requirements? Wildlife dangers to consider? How far I want to go versus how much time I have? What is my personal fitness level? (being in good shape is not a prerequisite to hiking, but it may determine how far you go and where you go). For beginners this may seem like a lot to consider, but don't worry, keep it simple as you go along and you'll do just fine. Researching the area you wish to explore is key to having a successful and fun Backpacking trip. It will also end up making some of your equipment decisions for you. This does not mean that you need a different set of gear for every possible scenario you may be considering. The specific scenario will allow you to tailor what you take based on what you need, not what you think you might need. This will lessen the weight in you pack and prevent future complications. Backpacking for beginners will take some getting used to, but with a little patience you'll be on the trail before you know it.
Fitting your Backpack and Boots
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