Backpacking

[henry]

What Is It? – My pack has the essential things.

Why Go? – Just for fun

Gear Loads – Depends on the trip


Pack Weight – Also depends on the trip

[richy]

is an outdoor pastime which is popular in many parts of the world. BackpackingBackpackingBackpacking involves hiking to a camping location while carrying a pack which contains food and gear for the hikers. BackpackingBackpackingBackpacking usually involves at least one night of outdoor camping, but can last for months if hikers replenish their supplies along the way. Many mountainous regions of the world are popular among backpackers, and several countries have well established trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail which are designed for backpackers and day hikers.

[tpk]

Backpacking camps are more spartan than ordinary camps. In areas that experience a regular traffic of backpackers, a hike-in camp might have a fire ring and a small wooden bulletin board with a map and some warning or information signs.
thats all i know

[anand]

Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. Terms such as independent travel and/or budget travel are often used interchangeably with backpacking. The factors that traditionally differentiate backpacking from other forms of tourism include but are not limited to the following: use of public transport as a means of travel, preference of youth hostels to traditional hotels, length of the trip vs. conventional vacations, use of a backpack, an interest in meeting the locals as well as seeing the sights.

[SQuirrel]

I have seen a huge difference in what I would consider the American style of backpacking and what it seems the rest of the world is calling backpacking.

Here in America, Backpacking is wandering in the woods. For me the farther away from civilization the better. My type of people will drive up to or get dropped off at a trailhead and go from there. Nights are spent in a tent, or just under the stars and tree boughs. Hostles are not a part of typical or traditional American style backpacking. Food is brought with you, and public transport is seldom available.

[slide]

A backpacker packs all of his or her gear into a backpack. This gear must include food, water, and shelter, or the means to obtain them, but very little else, and often in a more compact and simpler form than one would use for stationary camping.

[OPIE]

some like tents, some of the ultra lights like simple tarps. try the best of both worlds with a shires tarptent or one of the 6moons single wall "tarptents". Most just over a pound, and provide bug and weather protection.

I love my Henry Shires Cloudburst.

Also look at what your pack weighs empty...my first one weighed 7lbs empty. Look into the golite or ULA type packs, made of silnylon and really stripped down. But still can take a beating.