Tips for Beginner Backpackers from a pair of Beginner Backpackers

When selecting your trail it helps to ask the following questions:
Is the trail well marked?
Is there a water source near the campsite?
Does the trail include a 3 hour ,45 degree incline?
How can we gauge our distance covered?





Things to bring with you:
*Rope
Deet Bug spray
Sunscreen
Water purification and a filter or a bandana (that’s how we filtered water)
Rain jacket
Map (topographical!!!)
Compass
Extra socks
An extra layer for cold nights (really really cold!)
Water
Food - high calorie granola bars and dehydrated food works well
Camp stove
Waterproof matches
Head lamp
First aid kit (preferably one built by a nurse)
Sleeping bag
Tent
Garbage bag(s)
Shammy (instead of a towel)
Toilet paper (no one wants an accidental and unfortunate encounter with poison ivy leaves ::shudder::)
Camera
Knife/multitool kit

What to wear:
Synthetic shirt
Pants - No matter how hot it is, shorts will result in bug bites, poison ivy, cuts, or all of the above
Boots - properly worn in. This point cannot be stressed enough
Sunglasses - protect eyes from sun and bugs
Head covering
Wool socks




*Alex, this is for you!
Connor: Do ya’ know what we need, man? Some rope.
Murphy: Absolutely. What are you, insane?
Connor: No I ain't. Charlie Bronson's always got rope.
Murphy: What?
Connor: Yeah. He's got a lot of rope strapped around him in the movies, and they always end up using it.
Murphy: You've lost it, haven't ya‘?
Connor: No, I'm serious.
Murphy: That's stupid. Name one thing you'd need a rope for.
Connor: You don't f*ckin' know what you're gonna need it for. They just always need it.
Murphy: What's this 'they' shit? This isn't a movie.
Connor: Is that right, Rambo?
Murphy: All right. Get your stupid f*ckin' rope.
Connor: I'll get my stupid rope. I'll get it.