Why backpack?
Here’s why, as documented in this three-and-a-half-minute video we shot during our June 24-27 GetBackpacking! trip exploring Virginia’s Triple Crown. Four days, three nights, 35 miles, three major climbs, three iconic views and great scenery throughout. Challenging? Yup. But oh so worth it.
You watch a video of a spellbinding adventure. You think, “Man, I would love to do that … .”
And it doesn’t happen.
It doesn’t happen for any number of reasons. More often than not, though, it falls victim to overthinking the logistics: What kind of preparation do I need? How will I get there? How will I know what to do when I do get there? Before you know it, you’re mentally exhausted and have moved on to the next video.
We’re here to help you realize that vision. We’ve been working on ways to help you spend more time outdoors in a variety of ways. Last week we talked about some of the more straightforward hiking programs we have planned for the new year (for those of you newish to the trail). Today, we look at two programs that let you spend the day and night on your adventure. And in the next couple of weeks, we’ll be unveiling even more programs.
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Maybe you once thought that backpacking is only for the hardcore. And maybe you’re not feeling so hardcore. But backpacking can fit into your life, no matter what your age or current fitness level. We can help you get started or keep going on the trail.
Fall in North Carolina is the time to go backpacking. Daytime highs gradually dip and overnight lows are perfect for snugging into a down bag and getting a long night’s rest. From Shining Rock to the Smokies, the AT to the MST, the woods beckon for an extended stay. The glorious yellows, reds and oranges of leaves changing color is but one sign of the natural world slowing down for winter; you can experience also the stillness and the dwindling yet increasingly brilliant sunlight knifing through the woods.
You backpackers know what I’m talking about; you non-backpackers might be wishing you did. And you can.
If you’re not a backpacker today, you can be one by the time fall kicks in. We have two GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking classes scheduled for fall. The first starts this Sunday and the second on Oct. 15. Both consist of three training sessions, each focused on a specific skill, each including increasingly longer hikes in full pack. We start with gear and packing a pack, move on to setting up and breaking down camp, then get out our spork and camp stove with a session on trail food.
We end with a trip, a two-night, three-day visit to South Mountains State Park. Here, you’ll put your newfound skills to the test, and experience autumn like you’ve not experienced it before.
Ready to start? Check it out here:
If you’re already a backpacker, we’re thinking of you as well. While this is the time to be out and about savoring the trail, it’s also the time to be planning ahead — for that epic hike that’s been on your mind. The 77-mile Foothills Trail. The 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The Long Trail. The John Muir. The AT.
This fall, in conjunction with our friends at Great Outdoor Provision Co., we’re holding a series of Pints & Paths sessions on Tuesday nights (to keep your weekends free for backpacking!). From 5:30 to 6:30 we’ll enjoy a local craft beer, then settle in and listen to folks who’ve been there talk about their experiences on America’s premier trails. You’ll have first-hand access to hikers who have done the planning, worked out the the logistics, hiked the trail. Stay tuned for more details.
Finally, for active backpackers itching to get out on the trail, our friends at the LandTrust for Central North Carolina are planning a four-day, 40-mile Uwharrie Trail Thru-Hike. There are 13 slots left for this 70-person event. For more details, check out the Uwharrie Trail Thru-Hike.
Happy trails!
Joe
So, you’ve been enjoying your walks in the woods and maybe you’re wondering what it might be like to stay a bit longer—overnight, even.
We can help you.
Ever since I wrote Backpacking North Carolina in 2011, I’ve been on a mission to dispel the myths of backpacking. Like the idea that you have to sleep on the cold, hard ground, eat beans out of a can, and hike 20 miles a day with 60-pound pack on your back.
The experience we teach with our GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking program introduces you to lighter equipment, advances in food-preparations, and reasonable mileage goals. This four-week program is designed to turn the backpacker-wanna-be into a confident, competent backcountry explorer. Here’s how the program works:
=&0=&: We discuss gear and how to properly pack a pack. We then strap on our properly packed pack and hike two miles to get a feel for hiking with weight (about half that 60 pounds!) on your back.
=&1=&: In full pack, we hike two miles, scout good campsites, and set up camp. We discuss what to look for in a good campsite and what to avoid. Then, we break down camp and hike two miles out.
=&2=&: In full pack, we hike in about three miles and cook a meal, going over the different types of stove and food options. We pack up, discussing Leave No Trace ethics, and hike three miles out.
=&3=&: The fourth week, we hold a Wednesday planning meeting to go over our graduation weekend — the route, logistics, the weather, special equipment we may need. Then, on Friday we leave for a two-night trip to South Mountains State Park, where you’ll get a chance to practice your newfound skills.
About the gear: If you don’t have everything, don’t worry. We have a limited number of loaner tents and backpacks. Not having a cookset isn’t a deal-breaker, either. The main gear you’ll need are a good pair of hiking shoes or boots and trail-friendly clothes — basically, what you wear to hike.
To ensure that everyone gets individual attention, each session is limited to 12 participants.
We have three sessions scheduled for fall, two in the Triangle and one in the Triad.
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Session 1: Training, Sept. 10, 17 and 24; graduation trip Oct. 6-8. Learn more and sign up here.
Session 2: Training, Oct. 15, 22 and 29; graduation trip Nov. 3-5. Learn more and sign up here.
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Details to be posted soon. Keep an eye on GetHiking! Triad for details.
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Backpacking North Carolina
Backpacking North Carolina covers 43 backpack trips throughout the state, including the Piedmont and the coast. Most of the trips are beginner friendly, and many embrace the “base camp” concept: hike in a relatively short distance (usually less than 5 miles), set up base camp, do day hikes from there. Learn more about the book here.
