Featured Content
Tips for the Trail
Go in off-season: Every part of your experience will be enhanced by a lack of crowds, so even if the weather isn't perfect your trip will be. I've done the Grand Canyon in December, the Routeburn Track at Halloween, Arctic Sweden in the fall.
Go light, but not too light: Modern backcountry gear is frankly phenomenal, allowing greater safety and comfort with lighter packs than ever before. Since total pack weight for a weekend trip can easily be under 20 pounds, don't feel compelled to cut corners. Bring shelter and clothing that can measure up to the worst possible conditions you might face, which ensures your backcountry adventure won't turn into a grim ordeal.
Go with somebody you can learn something from: About the only element than can ruin the pleasure of a wilderness experience is conflict with your partners. Any backcountry trip will be one of dynamic conditions and evolving plans, so good-natured flexibility and mutual respect is a must. Choose your companions carefully, and put up with no whining, pouting, or intransigent behavior. Control freaks always lose when they pit themselves against the natural world.
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
advertisement
Photo Galleries
