| Backpacking (also tramping or trekking | | | | In the military a framed backpack is |
| or bushwalking in some countries) | | | | referred to as a "rucksack" or simply a |
| combines hiking and camping in a single | | | | "ruck". Soldiers who serve in the |
| trip. A backpacker hikes into the | | | | militaries of most nation-states usually |
| backcountry to spend one or more nights | | | | receive at least some rudimentary |
| there, and carries supplies and | | | | backpacking training while infantrymen |
| equipment to satisfy sleeping and eating | | | | are often trained to a more advanced |
| needs. | | | | backpacking skill level. They share many |
| What is backpacking? | | | | common attributes with amateur |
| A backpacker packs all of his or her | | | | backpackers: being self-contained, use |
| gear into a backpack. This gear must | | | | of land-navigation skills and actively |
| include food, water, and shelter, or the | | | | minimizing their environmental |
| means to obtain them, but very little | | | | foot-print. Although there are also a |
| else, and often in a more compact and | | | | few differences such as the need to |
| simpler form than one would use for | | | | carry an assault rifle, other weapons, |
| stationary camping. A backpacking trip | | | | ammunition and communication equipment |
| must include at least one overnight stay | | | | as well as at times maintaining "noise |
| in the wilderness (otherwise it is a day | | | | and light discipline", which means |
| hike). Many backpacking trips last just | | | | remaining silent and in darkness to |
| a weekend (one or two nights), but | | | | avoid detection. |
| long-distance expeditions may last weeks | | | | Other professional backpackers may be |
| or months, sometimes aided by planned | | | | scientific and academic researchers, |
| food and supply drops. | | | | professional guides, photographers, |
| Backpacking camps are more spartan than | | | | park-rangers and "search & rescue" |
| ordinary camps. In areas that experience | | | | personnel. |
| a regular traffic of backpackers, a | | | | Why people backpack |
| hike-in camp might have a fire ring and | | | | People are drawn to backpacking |
| a small wooden bulletin board with a map | | | | primarily for recreation, to explore |
| and some warning or information signs. | | | | places that they consider beautiful and |
| Many hike-in camps are no more than | | | | fascinating, many of which cannot be |
| level patches of ground without scrub or | | | | accessed in any other way. A backpacker |
| underbrush. In very remote areas, | | | | can travel deeper into remote areas, |
| established camps do not exist at all, | | | | away from people and their effects, than |
| and travelers must choose appropriate | | | | a day-hiker can. However, backpacking |
| camps themselves. | | | | presents more advantages besides |
| In some places, backpackers have access | | | | distance of travel. Many weekend trips |
| to lodging that are more substantial | | | | cover routes that could be hiked in a |
| than a tent. In the more remote parts of | | | | single day, but people choose to |
| Great Britain, bothies exist to provide | | | | backpack them anyway, for the experience |
| simple (free) accommodation for | | | | of staying overnight. |
| backpackers. Another example is the High | | | | These possibilities come with |
| Sierra Camps in Yosemite National Park. | | | | disadvantages. The weight of a pack, |
| Mountain huts provide similar | | | | laden with supplies and gear, forces |
| accommodation in other countries, so | | | | backpackers to travel more slowly than |
| being a member of a mountain hut | | | | day-hikers would, and it can become a |
| organization is advantageous (perhaps | | | | nuisance and a distraction from enjoying |
| required) to make use of their | | | | the scenery. In addition, camp chores |
| facilities. On other trails (e.g. the | | | | (such as pitching camp, breaking camp, |
| Appalachian Trail) there are somewhat | | | | and cooking) can easily consume several |
| more established shelters of a sort that | | | | hours every day. |
| offer a place for weary hikers to spend | | | | Backpackers face many risks, including |
| the night without needing to set up a | | | | adverse weather, difficult terrain, |
| tent. | | | | treacherous river crossings, and hungry |
| Most backpackers purposely try to avoid | | | | or unpredictable animals (although the |
| impacting on the land through which they | | | | perceived danger from wild animals |
| travel. This includes following | | | | usually greatly exceeds the true risk). |
| established trails as much as possible, | | | | They are subject to illnesses, which run |
| not removing anything, and not leaving | | | | the gamut from simple dehydration to |
| residue in the backcountry. The Leave No | | | | heat exhaustion, hypothermia, altitude |
| Trace movement offers a set of | | | | sickness, and physical injury. The |
| guidelines for low-impact backpacking | | | | remoteness of backpacking locations |
| ("Leave nothing but footprints. Take | | | | exacerbates any mishap. However, these |
| nothing but photos. Kill nothing but | | | | hazards do not deter backpackers who are |
| time."). | | | | properly prepared. Some simply accept |
| Professional backpacking | | | | danger as a risk that they must endure |
| For some people, backpacking is a | | | | if they want to backpack; for others, |
| necessary and integral part of their | | | | the potential dangers actually enhance |
| job. | | | | the allure of the wilderness. |