Backcountry hiking is an endurance walking activity that takes place in an isolated, remote or undeveloped outdoor or wilderness area. While offering a wide range of unspoiled scenery for adventure seekers, backcountry hiking also can come with a slew of natural challenges. According to outdoor experts cited by Recreational Equipment Incorporated, backcountry hikers are advised to take preventative measures by planning ahead and bringing first-aid ointments and medicines for common ailments such as poison ivy, sunburn, insect stings and snake bites.
Step 1
Plan your backcountry hiking trip with the help of a topographical map of the region and include a starting and ending point. Select areas with designated trails and routes and plan your trip in a loop if possible so that you return to the starting point. Measure out the trail on the backcountry map by laying a length of string along it and counting the number of miles your trip contains by comparing the string to the scale listed in the map's key.
Step 2
Contact a friend or family member and inform him of your hiking trip, including information such as where you intend to go and how long you intend to be gone. Call, e-mail or text message him when you return from the trip.
Step 3
Pack a daypack with necessary items, such as a first-aid kit, map, two filled 32-oz. water bottles and snacks. Anticipate the amount of food you will need for your hiking trip and bring slightly more than you feel you will consume, to provide nourishment in case of an accident or emergency. Pack high-energy, high-protein foods such as peanuts, raisins, oats, almonds, dehydrated fruit and other "trail mix" foods.
Step 4
Put on your hiking boots and travel to your backcountry hiking destination. Make sure you are on the trail you selected and set your pace for the hike, making sure you maintain a steady heart rate while not pushing yourself so that you feel dizzy or lightheaded at any time. Use your hiking stick or trekking poles to provide leverage as you climb in elevation or cross areas where your footing becomes unstable.
Step 5
Take a break to drink water and eat your snack food once every 30 minutes, or whenever you feel the urge to do so. Always look for landmarks, trailblazer colors or other indications that you are on the right trail and consult the map whenever you are uncertain about which path to take.
Tips and Warnings
- When planning your hiking trip, leave early so that you are through with the trip by the late afternoon. Never plan to hike through the evening without a headlamp, flashlight and other night hiking gear, and always end your trip before night starts to fall, especially in the mountains.
- Contact your personal physician or doctor before beginning a hiking trip if your current physical activity level is less than what your trip might require. Bring a friend or hiking peer if you are uncertain about your ability to hike alone.
Things You'll Need
- 2 32-oz. water bottles filled with filtered water
- Hiking boots
- Hiking stick or trekking poles
- Daypack
- Snacks and food
- First aid kit
- Topographical backcountry map
- String
