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Chapel Rock | Photo Courtesy of Justin Mault
Have you considered backpacking in Northern Michigan? If not, that's okay- we know it can be an intimidating prospect for many people. The basics of backpacking means that you’ll be cutting it out on your own, carrying all the gear you need for a trip on your back, from food and water to sleeping gear and changes of clothes. With some of the most popular Northern Michigan backpacking trails being up to three-day long trips, the idea of making sure you have all of the essentials can scare many people away from this wonderful hobby. To make it a little less daunting and maybe give you some encouragement to get out there, we’re going to highlight some of the gear and essentials you’ll need.
Before you pack out all of your gear and get ready to hit the trail, the most important thing you can do is determine where, when, and what kind of backpacking trip is right for you. If you are new to backpacking or backcountry camping, and have no idea where to start, check your local area first and scope out some shorter one-night trips. Make sure that the hike is not outside of the scope that you can handle, and start with just a couple miles round-trip. Make sure to check the area’s elevation gain as well as the total distance, and plan around any inclement weather or other conditions that could impede your journey.
Ensure that the trail is well traveled and an established hiking path with water and ease of camping for your first trip, and that you are familiar with the area and what resources it has to offer. If possible, consult with an experienced backpacker for help on recommendations, as well as any National or State Forest area guidebooks that may be available. Take an easy, one night trip for your first backpacking experience before pushing your limits- it is the best way you can prepare and protect yourself.
Once you have settled on an area and hiking trail that you want to backpack, then you can plan for the kind of gear you will need for the trip. Consider that all of the gear you take will need to come in and out of the woods with you on foot, what season you are planning to backpack in, the local area and what resources it has to offer, the amount of time you are backpacking, and the weight limit you are comfortable carrying when you choose your gear. There are a few essentials that you will always need to carry with you, no matter what sort of backpacking trip you’re aiming for.
- Backpack- Your most essential gear when backpacking, well, has to be your pack. It needs to be large enough to carry the gear you are bringing but also comfortable and lightweight enough to not impede your travel. Make sure to try on your pack both with and without gear to see how it hikes with you and to make sure that you are able to make the journey you plan on. Go for a pack model that has extra comfort and ease of use over a more lightweight pack, and cut weight if needed in tents and other gear you are packing instead.
- Tent- Plan to carry a lightweight and easily compactable tent with you on your trip. If you are backpacking with someone else, it always makes more sense to pack a two-person tent over two one-person tents, and it saves you weight and space in your bags. Bring a tent that is rated for the season you are backpacking in, with a good weight to cost ratio. Make sure your tent is easy to use, setup, and pack. Shop our selection of Eureka tents to get an idea on what types of backpacking tents are available.
- Sleeping Pad- Often forgotten but incredibly essential, a sleeping pad helps ensure good night’s sleep no matter what terrain you set your tent up on. If setting up in winter, ensure your pad has insulation and has a proper temperature rating for the weather. We recommend getting a self-inflating pad as they are a great compromise between value, comfort, and overall weight when starting out.
- Sleeping Bag- Consider a comfortable and lightweight bag that is rated to the weather conditions you are going to encounter on your journey. Shop our selection of sleeping bags to get a feel for what type of bag you may need on your trip.
- Water Treatment- Ensure that you have a water treatment system with you. This can be a water filter, a water purifying system or pump, or chemical filtration tablets. Make sure to always pack more than you think you will need, in case of any emergency or accidents. Make sure that you know how to treat your water, and what types of dangers it protects from. NEVER assume that water is safe unfiltered, no matter how clean it may look. We carry a selection of chemical water treatments in store.
- Cooking Stove- We recommend a lightweight stove that is around or under 1lb or less. When buying a stove, make sure to consider the type of fuel, the fuel efficiency, and the total weight of the fuel needed when planning your trip. We offer the lightweight, high efficiency backpacking oriented stove option JetBoil in store.
- Utensils and Other Cooking Supplies- Ensure that you are able to prepare and cook your food using your stove. Pack the bare minimum needed to cook and prepare what you need, but ensure that you have enough gear as well. Include cups, pots, pans, plates, and utensils, as well as a sponge, soap, and towel to clean and wash up after every meal. We carry a selection of lightweight utensils and pans in our store.
- Clothing- Make sure to pack clothing that is great for hiking. Ensure it is moisture wicking, quick drying, and comfortable, and preferably made of nylon and polyester to keep you dry. Make sure to dress in layers, ensuring that you have a base layer, hiking layer, insulation layer, and pack emergency rainwear to protect yourself in case of sudden weather changes. We carry a wide selection of clothing in store that is perfect for getting out there! Additionally, ensure that your footwear is comfortable, well broken-in, and suited for the terrain you are going to tackle. Choose a pair of comfortable hiking boots that fit you well and that you can wear for long hours, and consider packing a change of shoes for wearing around camp.
Those are the most essential items to consider that can make or break your experience, and the big items that will be in your pack. However, you will need a wide variety of smaller items to ensure your safety and comfort while backpacking and camping. We recommend referencing REI’s backpacking checklist here, or Clever Hiker’s ultimate backpacking checklist here.
Now that you know some of the basics, we hope that you can look into and consider backpacking northern Michigan more! There is a multitude of wonderful wild and scenic areas within Michigan, with countless opportunities for hiking and backcountry camping that are suited for both the casual and experienced backpacker. If you stop in store, we would be happy to help you get started finding the backpacking essentials and gear you need to get out there and backpacking the wonderful woods of Northern Michigan.
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