Planning Your First Solo Backpacking Trip? 8 valuable preparation tips for your first multi-day trek

Hello, courageous adventurers! So you’ve decided to trek out into the wilderness for the first time? Or perhaps you’re an experienced hiker already but you’ve never taken a multi-day trip before. Or maybe you’ve taken many solo backpacking trips and are always open to learning from the experiences of other adventurers. Wherever you're at, I'm happy to share some helpful first-timer tips for planning a solo multi-day backpacking trip.

Over the past couple of years I’ve completed several backpacking trips: all over the U.S. as well as internationally, from Canada to Iceland to Norway to Indonesia, and even Greenland (my most challenging to date!). I’ve been an avid hiker and adventure seeker for many years, and honestly I learn something new every time I set out. For example, I’ve realized how important it is to understand what to expect when it comes to weather (including its unpredictability), navigation, and terrain. Having knowledge around all of these things helps me plan to pack the right gear for a safe and enjoyable trip. Missing crucial gear can take you from “I’m a badass, it’s awesome that I’m doing this even though my hips are chafing, my feet are sore, and I barely have any blood left because the mosquitos have used my body for the ultimate sacrifice” to “Oh shit, I’m not as prepared as I thought I was and it’s not safe for me to keep going – gonna have to turn back.” The former is manageable and honestly, part of the experience. The latter is a situation I'd prefer not to find myself in (though it happens to everyone at some point). I am also constantly learning about myself on each trip: what causes me the most anxiety, what my limitations are, what my body is truly capable of, so on and so on. So many lessons!

Remote wilderness in Greenland

My first multi-day solo backpacking trip was in Greenland a year ago. It was a trip I had put together in just three short months, after learning about the trek while planning a trip to Denmark. I knew I was going to start the trail at a time of the year when there would be few to no other people on the trail, as it was early in the season. I actually saw not a single trekker the entire eight days I was out there! Maybe it’s because Greenland is so remote and so far away, or maybe it’s because every time I told someone about my trip they responded as if I were completely insane – whatever it was, something prompted me to treat this trip as if I were diving into fire (or deep, deep snow – which was literally the case at points on the trail). I did a lot of researching and planning, and tracking the weather. The weather didn't look too promising, and while it didn't make much of a difference in my decision to follow through with my plans, it did inform several preparation steps for me, including some additional purchases of clothing for snow trekking while I was in Denmark, and the decision to rent a PLB (personal locator beacon) at the start of the trail. All in all, I learned a lot on the trail that has changed the way I approach backpacking trips.

Here I’m sharing my top 8 tips for planning your first backpacking trip:

1. Take care of your back! Selecting the right backpack is crucial to ensuring you have a good time on the trail. As a tiny woman (any other adventurers under five feet tall?) finding the perfect fit can be a challenge. Much of my gear I am able to find used, however if you are going to splurge on something, this is the item to spend an extra dollar on. If your backpack doesn’t fit right, your entire trip could be downright painful. I always recommend shopping local when you can (#supportlocal). Many local outdoors shops will assist you in trying on gear and finding the right fit for you, and some shops even let you rent equipment so that you can try it on the trail (I highly recommend this for beginners, just don't try it out on the big trek - try it out on a local day trip or a trip with experienced friends). The trick to ensuring your backpack fits perfectly is knowing how to fit it on the hips and the shoulders. Most of the weight should rest on your hips, so once you put your pack on, buckle the hip belt first and get it tight enough around your waist so that you can feel the weight resting there. Then buckle your chest strap and adjust the shoulder straps so that your pack is as close to your body as it can get. If your pack is hanging off and away from your upper back and shoulders, it’s not tight enough.

Trying on a backpack is like trying a therapist. (Anyone else think the shoe metaphor doesn’t make sense? The therapist metaphor makes more sense to me!). Just because your friend believes they’ve found the most awesome therapist, doesn’t mean that therapist will be the right fit for you. Same with your hiking backpack. We’re all built differently and as such, we’re not all going to feel comfortable with the same gear. For me, I found the Osprey Kyte to be a really good fit for longer trips (more than 4 or 5 days), and I use a Deuter for shorter trips (3 days or less). I try my best to pack light, though I am under 5 feet small (approximately 125 cm) and I weigh under 100 lbs (approximately 43.5 kg for context). My Osprey is about 56 litres, which I found to be the perfect size on my trek in Greenland, given that I had to pack in (and out) all of my gear and supplies. I use a 28L Deuter for shorter trips, and it fits quite comfortably (Deuter is a German brand that takes a very specific approach to designing backpacks for women, here's a link to a blog post that provides a comprehensive review of the same pack I use). Your own weight and size, and the length and type of trek you're doing, are all going to factor in when choosing the right pack and pack size for you.

Another factor that can be really helpful in choosing the right size backpack is knowing how to pack it right. (I found this video on packing the Osprey Kyte so helpful, though I think she is using an even smaller pack!) The way you arrange your supplies in your pack is crucial for comfort and efficiency. Some basic tips: Your sleeping gear, such as sleeping bags and tent, should go near the bottom of the pack; your clothes and cooking gear should go in the middle (with heavier items resting against the back of the pack and lighter items towards the front); followed by food, toiletry, emergency kit, and smaller clothing items like gloves and hats.

2. Practice makes [almost] perfect! Practice using your gear before you set out. This can be really helpful when you purchase new gear and is an especially important step if you’re new to backpacking. I purchased a Big Agnes Copper Spur one-person tent from a neighbor of mine and took it out for an overnight trip to the Grand Canyon so I could practice setting it up on my own. I actually found the folding it and packing it back up part to be a little trickier than setting it up, so make sure you’re giving that step plenty of practice! Also make sure you’re practicing setting up your sleeping pad (or hammock, if you plan to use one), using your stove and cookware, and packing and re-packing other supplies, such as clothing and food. If you’re able to take your gear and supplies out on some day hikes to try them out, I highly recommend it! Then you can build from there, maybe going out for a night or two, really putting your gear, and your skills, to test. A perfect segway...

First time setting up at the Grand Canyon

3. Build them skills! Before I set off to Greenland I attended several classes on topics such as Wilderness First Aid and Navigation. While you can certainly learn through reading books and scouring the internet, and these are good sources of information, there’s nothing like taking a hands-on class (plus you can support your local gear shop – most of them offer classes). Taking a class can be a fun way to learn new skills, get some practice in, and even learn from other hikers who may have helpful tips and recommendations to share.

It'll also be super helpful if you practice the skills you learn in class on your own. Take your compass, ropes, and emergency gear on a day hike or a short 1-2 night trip and try them out. Practice tying different types of knots, stringing your food from a tree, and using a compass. YouTube is also a great learning tool. There are lots of YouTubers and channels where you can watch videos on how to stay safe in the wilderness and build essential skills, and in combination with your hands-on learning and practice, you'll set yourself up for a safe and happy backpacking trip!

4. Know how to get where you’re going. Nothing provokes anxiety like getting lost on the trail, so make sure you’re studying your maps and the area. Even if you plan on using a GPS, it's necessary to have a back up because let’s face it, technology fails us all the time. Acquiring basic navigation and compass reading skills is critical to finding your way, especially when you're trekking in remote areas. Again, many local outdoors shops offer navigation courses that can teach you how to properly read maps and use a compass. On my trek in Greenland, I didn't use a GPS at all. Instead, I purchased the paper maps for each section of the trail and studied them thoroughly beforehand. For this particular trek there exists a very detailed guidebook, which I had also purchased several weeks before my trip and carried it with me on the trail. Both the maps and the guidebook (and the cairns!) were my saving grace. There was a lot of snow on the trail when I was there, but thanks to those trusty maps I was able to navigate my way by paying attention to important landmarks and tapping in to the navigation skills I learned in class.

This is why it's also important to familiarize yourself with the trail as best you can beforehand. For many well-known multi-day treks there are groups you can join through Facebook and WhatsApp. These are great places to get tips and ask questions from other hikers who have completed these trails. Mobile apps can also be helpful in getting to know the trail and significant landmarks you'll want to pay attention to. Again, I studied paper maps and honestly, it was a lot of fun using these on the trail!

I studied paper maps and rented a PLB, just in case

While you’re on the trail, don’t let a hankering to keep moving get you lost. I remember being told in driving class that while people may speed to avoid being late, you run the risk of getting pulled over, which will make you even later (that's a nicer way to put it than the more common "can't get to where you're going if you're dead"). Believe me, I know the feeling of just wanting to get where you’re going. It can be a real hassle to stop and pull out your maps or compass so many times throughout your trek, but it’s better to check in and be sure of where you’re going than get lost and cost yourself precious time, or potentially worse. If you do find yourself off the path, don’t panic! Take a few deep breaths, check your maps and/or your compass, and use those navigation skills you learned in class to get you back on the trail. If you have to backtrack, that’s okay. I absolutely loathe backtracking, but there have been a time or two when it was simply the best option - in fact, I hiked a good 2 or so miles past a bridge I was supposed to cross on the trail in Greenland. Because most summer hikers can ford the river, the path goes straight to the fording point. However, there is a bridge hikers can cross further down the valley if the water is too high (and in my case, too cold!), but there is no trail leading to the bridge and it's not visible until you get right up to it. The worst part is, you're hiking through bog and willow brush, so it's a slow and tough romp. About two miles past the bridge, I realized I must've missed it. I stopped, turned around, and saw the hut I was supposed to stop at across the bank on top of the mountain. I trudged back from whence I came, and turned down towards the bank of the river where I felt the bridge was supposed to be (according to the map). Eventually, I spotted the bridge and crossed it (about a month later the bridge had collapsed!).

Lesson: Listen to your intuition, stop, look around, and be prepared to backtrack. In the long run it’ll save you more time if you backtrack than if you keep going in the wrong direction. If you’re ever in doubt, retrace your steps and begin again!

5. Expect the best, prepare for the worst. You’re imagining yourself on the trail: the sun is shining, the weather is mild (think warm with a nice, cool breeze) – you’re trekking along with a smile on your face, basking in your sense of self-achievement as you’re nearing towards the end of the trail, where you’ll be greeted by a swarm of locals who are eager to celebrate your bravery and strength. Ah, the rewards of a long hike!

Gear iced over during the snowstorm

Your reality could end up looking more like my last two days on the trail in Greenland: rocking back and forth in tears in my sleeping bag while the snowstorm rages so hard it sounds like someone is taking a sledgehammer to the side of the toilet hut where I spent the night. Needless to say, the next day was not as much fun as I had pictured in my mind, and when I got into town I wanted to collapse in tears rather than celebrate (and that's exactly what I did - no shame). The thing is, no matter where you are, weather can change in an instant, accidents can happen, and when we’re out in the wilderness we’re sharing space with other living things. The last thing you want to do is get caught in a snowstorm without the proper gear, or run out of food because you left it outside your tent for the porcupines to have a midnight snack (as some of my neighbors in Banff National Park experienced along the Skoki Loop). Hopefully, you’ll have the time of your life and everything will be smooth as strawberry gelato on a warm day. But it’s critical to be prepared.

6. Tell someone where you’re going, or even better, bring a friend. I always recommend that you take your first backpacking trip with a good friend – someone you know you can tolerate for days and who has at least the same level of skills and experience as you (or preferably higher). Having a buddy to hike with can be helpful if you find yourself in a situation of danger, but it’s also good for our mental health on the trail. Backpacking solo can feel isolating, and scary, at times. So if this is your first trip I highly recommend

taking a buddy with you. When you’re ready to go it alone, make sure you tell a friend (preferably multiple friends and/or family members), where you’re going. This advice coming from someone who sucks at this ritual - I gotta remember to tell people where I'm at! Share with someone your start and end point, the date you’re starting the trail and the date you expect to finish it, as well as a date for them to contact emergency if they don’t hear from you.

7. Don’t forget – you need to eat! This was the message my partner kept hammering into my brain in the weeks before I left for my backpacking trip to Greenland. I can typically survive on very little food in a normal day, but when you’re hiking for days, you need to make sure you bring plenty of sustenance and fuel for your body. You’re going to expend more energy than you think you will, so you should bring more food than you think you’ll need. My advice would be to think about how much you eat in any given day at home – then multiply that by two. I know it might seem like a lot to pack, but if you purchase instant camping meals you can easily squeeze them into odor-proof bags and into your pack. I also like to put oats in separate baggies to have for breakfast, and I can usually pack snacks such as trail mix and protein bars into the little pouches and zippers in my pack for easy access. Don’t forget to pack salty snacks and electrolytes, as you are going to sweat out nutrients when you hike, no matter what temperatures you’re hiking in, and these types of snacks can help you replenish those lost nutrients.

8. Have fun! Don’t forget – you’re out there to have fun. On any backpacking trip you are going to be faced with challenges and obstacles – your first trip will inevitably challenge you and present you with many opportunities for growth. But in between moments of fear and panic, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and the beautiful sights around you! You can find wonder and joy in nature, so soak it up and enjoy the experience. And remember, you are out there, you are doing it, and you are capable. There’s so much to explore – and you get to do it!