Summer’s halfway over, so you should probably check your calendar for fitting in a backpacking or camping trip if you haven’t crossed that off your list yet. But with backpacking, there can be a lot of hangups: pricetags, water safety, and bears come to mind.
So Alex Cravener with the Idaho Trails Association (ITA) shared some recommendations with Hey Boise for novice backpackers! If it’s not you, it’s probably someone you know — so send this to that bewildered friend.
How would you recommend putting together a pack without spending a fortune on gear someone might only use once a year?
Borrow from friends to start if you can! Before buying new, scope out used gear locally in stores (I like Outdoor Gear Exchange in Boise) or browse through Facebook Marketplace. Don’t go all in on a whole new setup all at once, but maybe pick your heaviest item to upgrade to start. The lighter the backpack, the easier to carry, but remember, people have been backpacking successfully before ultralight was a thing! A good backpacking setup is acquired over time and will lighten as you learn.
If someone's backpacking in central Idaho, for instance, what are the main wildlife risks to be aware of, and how should they prepare for them?
We do have bears in Idaho, and some forests have specific requirements for bear-safe storage, so check ahead. Even when it's not a requirement for bears I’m hanging my food so mice and squirrels don’t get in either. I prefer a bear hang (some paracord and a carabiner is lighter and less bulky than a bear box!) but I’ll always at least check google satellite imaging to make sure there are trees where I’m planning on camping. When I’m hiking alone in bear country, I’ll talk out loud to myself when going through brush or blind corners to let any bears know I’m there. In groups, we’re typically making enough noise to scare off wildlife.
What kind of trip should a first time backpacker look for in planning an overnight trip?
First time, make it an easy one! Don’t go for 20 mile days and thousands of feet of elevation to start out, even packing 2 miles into a lake will be a fun trip and gives you a sense of your gear and what you’d want to bring (and want to leave behind) next time!
Quick Resources
For Gear
- Local used and new gear stores.
- Geartrade.
- Steep & Cheap.
For More Information
- Use the CDC’s water treatment guide to make sure you’re drinking clean and safe water.
- ITA hosts backpacking 101 webinars in the spring, and they’re also online.
- Ready to go? Find your first trip based on the recommendations of ITA staff and volunteers.
