Whether you are a regular explorer or new to this thing, one thing that would never be different is planning. Without a blueprint and thoroughly laid out plan, it might be tough for you to get a successful trip, let alone a memorable one.

To pull off a successful trip with minimal mistakes, there are 7 steps that you should follow –

  1. Pick the perfect weather and location for your trip – The first and most important part of any backpacking trip is to select the weather and location that suits you. One wrong location and nothing would help. You could be prepared for rain but the hiking plan would be spoiled. You might have a lot of water bottles but the scorching heat may not come to an end. If you are planning a summer trip, nothing could be better than the mountain. If you are free after in January, select a place that does not bring shivers down your spine.
  2. Select a trail that suits you and your group – Nowadays, there are about a thousand places where you can go hiking. But before you settle down for one, ask yourself if you would be comfortable with it. Whether you are planning a solo backpacking trip or going with a group, it is essential to think about certain aspects –
  • Difficulty level
  • Place you are looking for (mountain, lake, or waterfall)
  • Length and time of the hike
  1. Make a transportation blueprint – Nobody’s trail starts outside the house. Once you have selected the destination, see what are the transportation modes available to reach the starting point. If you are someone that looks for comfort, get airline tickets. One who is interested in saving money for the rest of the trip can go for buses and trains.
  2. Pack your gear for the trip – No backpacking trip is complete without proper gears. Make a checklist so that you don’t forget anything. Here are some things that you must pack for your next hiking trip –
  • Food and water (quantity depends on time)
  • Sleeping net or hammock
  • Insect repellent and first aid kit
  • Torchlight and map/compass
  1. Test the gear – Before you stuff everything in your backpack, wait and check if each of your gear is working. This is important as a defective device looks worse than not having one. If possible, keep back-up gears as well.
  2. Right shoes and outfit – Backpacking trip cannot be completed in flip flops and a jersey. Once you have decided where you are going for the trip, make sure that you buy the right kind of shoes and clothes for the same. It should be about your comfort. Select a pair of shoes that would not cause blisters while hiking and wear clothes that match the weather of your trip location.
  3. Inform your friends and family – No matter how many people are going, there should always be someone at home that knows your location. This is a necessary step as in case of any emergency, you should have someone to reach out to.

Once you have followed all these steps, you are good to go! Hit the road and have an amazing time. Make some beautiful hiking memories without worrying about your mistakes.