One of the most intimidating aspects of getting started backpacking is where do you sleep. While some backpacking trips will require permits and your site will be assigned. Many trips will fall under dispersed camping or free camping. This means you are camping outside of a designated campground. This freedom is why many enjoy backpacking so much but there are some guidelines that need to be followed for safety. So how do you choose the perfect site for camping while backpacking?

Is dispersed camping allowed

If you don’t already have a designated camp site reserved in advance. Camping will fall under dispersed camping or free camping rules. Be sure that this type of camping is allowed where you are planning to go. While dispersed camping is allowed in national forests and many national monuments there are areas where it is prohibited. Most state parks and national parks do not allow dispersed camping. For Backpacking trips within those parks reservations must be made in advance.

Flat Ground

No one wants to find their backpacking partner has rolled over to your side of the tent in the middle of the night. When looking for a site be sure that the ground is flat. A flat campsite makes for a more comfortable nights sleep and will help to prevent any flowing water from flooding your tent in the night should a storm come through. If a flat site cannot be found I prefer to set the tent up in a way so your head is heading up hill. This will keep you or your partners from accidently rolling over in the night.

Look up

This step may not be necessary in some areas but it will save your life in others. While evaluating the prospects of a site be sure to look up and check the trees for any dead or snagged limbs. If a storm blows in and causes them to fall they can be deadly. The danger isn’t limited to limbs, also look around the site in all directions for trees that are unhealthy or have died but are still standing.

Sheltered from the wind

A big storm can reek havoc even on the most securely staked tent. Most of the time while backpacking your tent is the only shelter you have. There’s no camp bathroom’s or parked cars to find refuge. This is why it is important to select a site that has some protection from the wind. This can include some brush, a treeline, large boulders or just a small berm that will deflect some of the wind. While not always possible it certainly makes for a less stressful night should the wind pick up.

Privacy

This one is not necessary but something we prefer. When assessing the site think of where people will come from if they come down the trail. No one wants other groups having to walk through your camp to get to their own or have everyone looking in your tent while eating breakfast. When possible face the door of your tent where you can keep an eye on anyone walking up but not facing the trail directly so everyone can see you. A small area of brush can be a good screen to increase privacy.

Backpacking is about the views

While no we all aren’t chasing after that perfect Instagram sunrise shot with coffee in hand looking out the tent. Keep in mind where the views will be when selecting a camp site. The views are one for the things that set backpacking apart from camping in a campground after all. Be sure to select a site and position the tent so you have an amazing view without even having to get out of the warmth of your sleeping bag.

Away from trails and water

When camping outside of establish camp sites be sure to keep your distance from trails and water. You should be at least 200 feet from trails or water sources. Following the 200 foot rule will keep our streams clean and prevent other hikers from accidently stumbling through your camp.

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What is a Weighted Vest?

Weighted vests are typically used to add weight to your body while working out. You may have seen them before in the gym. The vest securely holds the additional weight close to your body while leaving your hands free. This is essential for hiking when going on steeper trails that may require scrambling and the use of your hands.

How to Begin Using a Weighted Vest While Hiking?

Where do you even begin when considering hiking with additional weight.

Are you ready for an increase in intensity?

Using a weighted vest can drastically increase the intensity of your hikes. This increase in intensity will put additional strain on the muscles ligaments and tendons in your legs. But its not just your legs that will be under additional strain your heart and cardiovascular system will also have to work harder.

Before considering adding a weighted vest hiking routinely in a must. you should be able to complete 2-3 hikes per week of the distance you would like to go for at least 2 weeks before adding weight.

Selecting a Vest

Its very important that a weighted vest fits properly to insure the vest is comfortable and doesn’t chafe. Adjustable straps are best to allow a custom fit. The vest should have removable or adjustable weights. This will allow you to adjust the weight as you progress and gain strength. Finally the weighted vest should evenly spread the weight across your torso on the front and back. This will allow you to add weight while not changing your center of gravity which helps with balance on rough trails.

Start Slow and Progress Gradually

Just like working out in the gym adding weight to your hikes should be done slowly and gradually. If you progress too quickly the risk of injury increases. Which can seriously set you back in the long run when you miss weeks of hiking. When increasing the weight of the vest only add three to five pounds at a time. Hike with this increased weight for a few trips before increasing again.

Monitor Your Exertion Level

As you progress and add weight it will effect how much effort it takes to get to the top of your favorite hike. Be sure to bring more water than you used to because you will be working harder particular on hot days. It may also be a good idea to pack some hiking snacks to enjoy at the halfway point since you will be burning more calories than before.

Who Can Benefit Most by Hiking with a Weighted Vest?

Hiking with a weighted vest is best for those who hike for physical fitness and have stopped progressing. If you now can easily climb the steep sections of the trail without getting out of breath or tired it may be time to start adding weight. Hikers to want to add muscle to their legs are another group that will benefit from wearing weighted vests while hiking. The additional weight will cause progressive overload in the legs particularly when climbing hills. Over time with increasing weight muscle mass and strength will increase.

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1 Hiking Allows you to enjoy Nature

Everyone enjoys nature to varying degrees. Some are just interesting in the popular view points and snapping a photo while others like the peace of getting away from it all. Hiking allows everyone to enjoy nature at their own pace. While riding through the mountains with the top down is fun there’s no better way to enjoy nature than by slowing down and taking a walk for no reason other than to be in the woods.

2 Hiking is Great Physical Exercise

Exercise can really suck at times. Hours on the treadmill or stationary bike should be reserved only as a last resort when working to a healthier lifestyle. Hiking is a perfect low impact exercise which contributes to why people like it so much. A couple hours on the trails often flies by. The varying terrain and hills work different muscles and can make some portions of the tail much more taxing than simply walking on flat ground.

3 Hiking Promotes Mental Health

Getting out in nature and away from the stress of modern life can have amazing benefits to mental health. Hiking allows your mind to wander and work though problems you have been having. While walking around the city can help some hiking forces you off your phone due to the rocks and roots on the trail and replaces the sounds of the city with gentle trickling of a stream or wind through the leaves.

4 Hiking can be a Social Activity

While hiking alone is great to allow you some time to yourself and work out problems. Hiking is a social activity if you make it one. You are sure to strike up a conversation with your hiking partners. Sharing the struggle of climbing the mountain and the success of reaching the top is sure to create a bond other activates lack. Even hiking alone can be social to some extent you are sure to meet other like minded hikers at the trail head or overlooks.

5 Hiking is an Affordable Hobby

There’s not many hobbies that only require the clothes on your back and a good pair of shoes. That’s all you need to start hiking and definitely contributes to why so many people like it. While yes there are many expensive options for day packs and shoes with all kinds of grip. Hiking requires very little to get started. Anyone can go hiking this afternoon to try it without spending a dime.

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Be Prepared for Injuires Weather and Wildlife

While inevitably our mind always goes to the murderer in the woods. People are far from the biggest threat to your safety while camping. Seemingly minor injuries can be come major problems when in remote areas and care can not be reached. Severe weather can destroy shelters and cause falling branches while cold weather can cause hypothermia rather quickly if unprepared. While wildlife is less of a concern than injury or weather no one wants a bear visiting your tent in search of a midnight snack.

Do Not Camp Alone

The simplest form of camping self defense is to not be an easy target. The most obvious way to become a more difficult target is to not be alone. Even just two people makes things much more complicated for a attacker. What if one gets away to alert other campers or authorities. If you must or insist on camping alone it may be best to bear the additional weight and use a 2 person tent. This at least opens to possibility for there to be two people in the tent.

Camp Near Other Groups

While we get out in nature to get away. That isolation can also open the door for those with bad intentions. Even if you are with a partner, camping near other groups provides protection in numbers. This doesn’t mean being right next to others or joining camps. Being within earshot is enough to ensures calls for help will be heard. When selecting sites around other groups try to ensure there are at least two separate groups. This will increase the likelihood that calls for help will be heard and prevent being isolated next to a person or group that may mean harm.

Select a Defensible Site

While sharpening sticks and setting up home alone boobytraps would be fun that’s not what we mean when selecting a defensible site. This may be better titled select a deterrent site but defensible sounds better. We do not want anyone to sneak up on us in the night or while we are around camp. Site selection can help with this greatly. Sites with one entrance and exit allow you to predict where someone would be coming from. Loose rocky ground or leaf litter and twigs along the entrance will help to insure anyone who approaches will be heard. Also having some level of cover or privacy from the trail such as bushes can also prevent a possible attacker from even knowing you are there if they pass by after dark.

Camping Self Defense Items

Even with doing all the above steps to prevent an attacker from selecting you as a target and being able to approach your camp. You need to be prepared to fight back. Carrying items that can aid you in an altercation is your last line of defense. Pepper spray and stun guns are main stay’s among self defense instruction and should be considered for camping self defense also. They are small light and easily packable. Hand held and key chain weapons such as monkey fist or self defense rings can be easily held on your person at all times and increase your ability to fight back.

While camping there are many uses for a knife of some kind from cutting paracord to shaving down wood for kindling. Select a knife that can also be used to defend yourself should the need arise. This may mean picking a slightly larger knife or one with a handle that is easier to grip than your grandpas pocket knife.

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1 Tent camping

Tent camping is the most basic form of camping. Its what comes to most peoples minds when they think camping. Pitch a tent in any park, campground or backyard and that’s about it. Basic tent camping is by far the most accessible type for people to start with. Gear is affordable since weight isn’t a concern. All you need is a tent, sleeping pad and blankets.

2 Backpacking

Backpacking is exactly what it sounds like. Take your gear toss it in a backpack and go camping. Backpacking allows for more adventurous trips with campsites in remote locations.

Gear selection and planning starts to become more important with backpacking. You only have what you can carry so compact light gear is a must. Forgetting something can ruin a trip or become dangerous. Its always best to have a packing list and trip plan before going.

3 RV Camping

RV camping is by far the most the most luxurious form of camping. Many people wouldn’t even consider it camping and a times we question it ourselves. But in the end those drawn to RVing want adventure and to experience nature too.

RV’s and the amenities they have vary widely from small travel trailers with a kitchenet and bedroom. All the way up to motorhomes that would rival many New York apartments on square footage. Most people RV camp at designated campgrounds that have electrical hookups and other amenities. But that doesn’t mean they cant forgo that and go more remote.

RV’s are the type of camping ideal for long term trips and serving as a home base to enjoy other outdoor activities. Week long trips to the mountains or nation wide tours of the national parks

4 Bike Packing

Bike packing also known as bike touring is camping while using a bike to get from one site to the next. All your gear has to be attached to the bike in some way. Typically three to five packs are used to spread the weight around. Bike packing allows camp sites to be far from each other. Even week long trips can span hundreds of miles.

5 Car Camping

Car camping is a means to an end form of camping. You need to get somewhere, and would rather camp than pay for a room. We’ve all been there. The site is drive up and you either pitch the tent a few yards from the car or just put down the back seats and sleep in the car.

6 Overlanding

Overlanding is a type of camping that marries off-roading with car camping. Using a 4×4 allows for some remote campsites down trails or forestry roads while also not having to be concerned about weight. From sun shades and full kitchens to solar power and refrigerators it has a place in a good overlanding rig.

7 Ultralight Camping

Ultralight camping is typically a form of backpacking, providing the pack doesn’t get ditched also. Ultralight camping is all about weight or more precisely the minimizing of weight. While we all understand that excess weight will slow us down while on the trial Ultralight takes it to the next level by throwing out what many of us would consider necessity.

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Extra Clothes and Fresh Underwear

Its always best to bring at least two sets of clothing. One will be your day clothes while the other is reserved for sleeping. I would leave the pajamas at home, while yes they may be cozy. Its better to sleep in an extra set that can be worn out on the last day. If you just slept in them a few nights they’re as good as clean right.

Nothing is worse than dirty underwear. Yet we still needed our mothers to constantly remind us. Lucky for us underwear is cheap light and packable so its a luxury we can afford. Its best to pack a pair for each day. When packing use a Ziploc bag to keep clean underwear clean and most importantly dry. Dry underwear will help with smells but also limit chafing.

Daily Rinse

No matter how hard you try dirt is going to get places. Its just part of camping. But nothing will ruin a night of sleep like dirt in a sleeping bag so its best to rinse off in some way each day.

Take a Dip

First and easiest way to rinse off it to go for a swim if any clean bodies of water are available. This will wash off any dirt or sweat you have accumulated through the day. Just be sure to rinse off with water only, even biodegradable soap should not go directly into streams ponds or lakes.

Camp Shower

The most luxurious option of the three. Camp showers and solar showers allow you to stay clean by washing with water and soap in the woods. Since the used water will be going directly into the environment soap and location selection is important. Soaps should be unscented and biodegradable. Be sure to locate the shower 200 feet away from both your campsite and any water sources.

Wipes

The final and least fun version of the daily rinse is the wipe down. It gets the job done and will keep you warmer in the winter. It can also easily be done inside a tent which is necessary when staying at busy sites where privacy is harder to find. Baby wipes will get the job done but adult wipes are generally more durable.

Dry shampoo

If we cant wash the hair the next best step is to limit grease. Dry shampoo is a powder that is shaken directly on hair and worked into the roots. The excess oils are absorbed allowing a few more days before the greasiness grosses you out.

Moisture Wicking Clothing

Bacteria and the smells that accompany them thrive in moist warm environments. Moisture wicking clothing will help to keep things dry during the day while you are active. These fabrics also dry fast so they will be ready to go again in the morning. Just be sure to hang them up.

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