The number of people enjoying backpacking among various leisure sports is increasing. Due to the pandemic, it was difficult to enjoy hobbies in close indoor spaces, and many people are interested in backpacking because they can leave the complex city and take a quiet and sufficient rest in nature. However, backpacking is different from regular camping, so it’s a fact that people hesitate about what equipment to buy and where to go before starting. We looked into the essentials for backpacking and precautions for beginner backpackers.
The flower of outdoor activities, Backpacking
Backpacking is a leisure sport where you carry camping equipment and travel for at least one night. You carry a load on your back, climb mountains, and walk around various places, making it a combination of hiking and trekking. Backpacking can also enjoy the charm of camping, which can be called a versatile leisure sport that satisfies various things at once.
When did it start?
Backpacking in our country started when mountain enthusiasts camped to stay in the mountains for a long time. After that, campers tired of the crowded auto camping and standardized campsites shared information about the wilderness, created clubs, and the boom occurred. It started to become famous around 2010, so its history is short.
Hip Backpacking
Nowadays, backpacking places called sacred sites, such as Guleopdo, Yeongnam Alps Gangwoljae, Sunjaryeong, Udo Biyangdo, etc., are full of backpackers on weekends. The MZ generation enjoys backpacking in various ways by updating the scene of backpacking in real time on SNS or sharing pictures of stars embroidered in the night sky. Also, the backpackers share places called ‘sacred places’ and actively participate in community activities.
What equipment should I have?
The weight and volume of backpacking equipment are the share you must bear entirely, so anything light and small is good. It must be sturdy and safe because you have to protect yourself from rain, wind, cold, and bugs. The equipment needed for backpacking is endless, but there is no significant difficulty, even if you only have the essential equipment required for eating and sleeping.
The tent, a sleeping place, is important
A tent, a space where you can eat, sleep, and rest well! In backpacking, it is the most important and takes up a lot of volume, so choosing something compact and light is good. Also, it should be easy to install so that it does not consume much time when withdrawing. When choosing a tent, looking at the fabric carefully is good. The thinner the yarn fiber and the thinner the thread, the higher the density and the better the product. It is also good to use according to the season, divided into summer and winter.
Storage is important for sleeping bags
The role of sleeping bags is most important in winter backpacking. Choose something warm and light; if it’s not winter, a 3-season sleeping bag is also good. If you want to distinguish, a light blanket alone is enough for summer, and for spring, autumn, and winter, choose a product with good heat retention. The sleeping bag is warm when the fill power is good, and the down ratio is high compared to feathers.
Keep your backpack as light as possible
When you pack various preparations in one backpack, the bag gradually becomes heavy. Sometimes, it can exceed 22 pounds, and a heavy bag burdens the waist. Especially if you carry a backpack and walk for several hours or climb a mountain, you may have back pain that is not usually painful. When you wear a bag, fit it to the back plate and tightly tie the waist belt. It is appropriate to distribute the backpack’s weight 70% to the waist and 30% to the shoulders. Also, when packing, put heavy things on the back and keep light clothes in front.
Check the weather forecast well
In winter, the weather can change to a rainy or snowy day overnight, so checking the weather forecast in advance is always good. It is often late when you climb and arrive at the summit, so it is a tip to look at the evening weather! Also, it is good to prepare for any situation by notifying the people around you of the backpacking place and time in advance and starting.
Remember, the most important manners
As the number of people enjoying the hobby of backpacking is increasing, the most important thing is the manners between each other. Some people do not keep manners, and it is a regrettable situation where places where they could enjoy backpacking, are gradually banned from camping. The most crucial manner in backpacking is LNT (Leave No Trace), which means leaving without a trace. Preserve as it is camping in the designated area, and be sure to bring and dispose of garbage in the designated way.
Accessible Backpacking Course
If you take the Gyeongchun Line subway from Seoul for about 20 minutes, you can find the Homingsan Pine Forest Camping Site. The cool pine trees are spread out, and the deck sites are in between. It has heating and cooling facilities and clean toilets and showers, so even beginner backpackers can use it without difficulty. Also, if you get off at Geomdan Mountain Station on Subway Line 5 and walk for about 15 minutes, you can reach the entrance of Hanam Geomdan Mountain. If you go in the ‘Hyunchungtap direction,’ you can arrive at the campsite quickly and easily. On one side is the Han River; on the other, you can enjoy the night view of Seoul Forest, and the course is less burdensome for beginners as the difficulty level is low.
By. Jeon Shin Young
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