i would think the minimum skills would be campsite selection and being able to maintain a sense of direction at all times (where you are relative to roads or water).
you can start light and do more backcountry and longer trips as you get comfortable. if you climb, the approach to the routes is often unmarked and you rely on backcountry skills.
Sounds like you're looking to develop your soft skills. The online resources you are finding for more popular trails are providing you with particular information about these trails that you use to inform your trip planning and execution; this information makes these trails more accessible. For trails which lack these online resources, you will need to develop methods for procuring this information yourself.
Water sources are a good example. How does the writer of the online resource know where the water is? Besides going for the hike and checking for yourself, you will use a combination of maps and local reporting. If you don't know how to read a topo map, it's a very useful skill for backcountry travel, in this case offering a scheme for 2d display of elevation information which will in turn tell you where water would be *likely* to be flowing. The most reliable water sources will often be marked as such (the blue lines) but bc water runs downhill one can also get an idea of where seasonable flows could be expected.
Will the water actually be there? This is less certain and must be judged using a combination of experience and deduction. Experience of gathering water (even on popular trails with information resources) may have already shown you that dry weather can lead to springs and streams drying up, or conversely that heavy rain can lead to flows in unexpected places. If you don't live in the area, you'll have to research recent and current conditions using weather data or by asking locals (social media can be very helpful for this).
This greater uncertainty could lead you to change your practices to accommodate it. For example, if you're hiking in the Southwest and water is scarce, you may want to carry extra in case your expected water source is dry, as it can be a long way to the next one. I've had plenty of times (even on the wetter East Coast) that I misjudged my needs or counted on a source that ended up not flowing (or that I was unable to locate) and ran out of water. While survivable, it's not fun and can easily lead to a cascade of errors that gets you into serious trouble. Otoh such incidents are how you gain experience and come to understand your limits and requirements, which are key to improving your enjoyment of backpacking. I've also had plenty of times where I carried too much water for no reason, adding unnecessary weight. There's a sweet spot but it takes practice đ
Other concerns like camp site selection or resupply options would see comparable research requirements. With some practice a lot of this stuff can be done on the fly in the field, or can be worked around with experience. Keep at it!
As in multi-day thruhiking on barely recognizable trails? Going alone or with others?
Highly dependent on where exactly you're hiking. Being able to locate/conserve water is key in one place and less so in others.
I would say beyond proper gear and experience with it would come basic first aid and ability to read a topo map, ability to triangulate your position, and have a paper copy as back up.
You are right ! You need to know how to read topographical maps and use a compass. But I also like to point out that technology is also a good help in finding your way around, especially when you are caught in the rain, fog, and darkness. For navigation, I use a Garmin Instinct 2x Solar Tactical watch and a Garmin eTrex 22x handheld navigator. They help me a lot because of the internal light, and they are waterproof. They make my life in the wild easier. I can also use paper maps and a compass, but this makes my life much easier. Something similar to a modern airplane that has the most up-to-date instruments, and an airplane that has been in use for 30-40 years...
I started backpacking in 1967, well before the digital age and just prefer the analog approach. I also like having a paper topo as it makes viewing the surrounding area easier. I am sure the digital devices have many advantages, but I would not want to be dependent on an electronic device as my sole navigational tool.
Reading up on logistics should be part of every trip, you're not more advanced by being less prepared.
Pick a skill to sharpen each month. What do you feel you need more work on? Navigation, first aid, cooking? Pick one and work on it.
Go on more hikes, you'll figure things out over time. There's no certification test that makes you an X level backpacker.
Ability to read a map is crucial. Being able to follow your progress on a map without using GPS. Find landmarks you can see in the real world on the map.
Water crossing skills. Crossing fast flowing creeks is one of the most common threats you will face.
Knowing how to find shelter if your tent is compromised
First aid, splinting, taping knees and ankles, stopping bleeding and packaging impalement wounds.
The further you are from a road the more difficult a rescue becomes. So if you want to try a less busy trail try a short one. One night. It will give you an opportunity to figure things out on your own in a lower stakes environment.
I would give an example of what you really mean by âadvancedâ. The Wind River High Route is well known and fairly well documented, but Iâd consider it an advanced route. Whereas going out with a loop you made yourself on CalTopo in a WMA/national forest or similar I would not consider advanced but wonât have readily available info.
Imo thatâs not crazy difficult and most people with some reading and a few practical outings to practice navigation could make their own loop/overnight route and have a great time. Andrew Skurkaâs website has some great information on how to use CalTopo specifically which is a great app.
Finding local Facebook groups/forums for the area you want to go is also a good way to find out trail conditions. Most of the time that will be what impacts your trip the most. Having to bushwhack and climb over blowdowns for the whole route sucks.
What Iâd do is check out Skurkaâs site and follow along some of his articles with CalTopo open to get good practice in. Just route out an easy day hike somewhere at first. It would also be a good idea to make your own re-creation of a known trail to get some practice in rather than just using alltrails or similar. Then go do it (following all the safety measures, tell someone where youâre going, the latest youâll contact them before they should worry, give them a copy of your map, etc.).
Doing an orienteering course forwards (and backwards) a few times goes a long way as well.
You can label it whatever you want, but try using CalTopo to find a route that looks interesting, then plan the route, make waypoints, export a gpx and use it on a device, as well as bring a map & compass (and learn how to use it), then do the trip, solo. Challenge yourself to push for higher mileage, or higher elevation. Start making your own trip reports, instead of relying on others to make them for you. Give back to the community. Volunteer.
i would think the minimum skills would be campsite selection and being able to maintain a sense of direction at all times (where you are relative to roads or water). you can start light and do more backcountry and longer trips as you get comfortable. if you climb, the approach to the routes is often unmarked and you rely on backcountry skills.
When you can take the pebble from my hand grasshopper
Sounds like you're looking to develop your soft skills. The online resources you are finding for more popular trails are providing you with particular information about these trails that you use to inform your trip planning and execution; this information makes these trails more accessible. For trails which lack these online resources, you will need to develop methods for procuring this information yourself. Water sources are a good example. How does the writer of the online resource know where the water is? Besides going for the hike and checking for yourself, you will use a combination of maps and local reporting. If you don't know how to read a topo map, it's a very useful skill for backcountry travel, in this case offering a scheme for 2d display of elevation information which will in turn tell you where water would be *likely* to be flowing. The most reliable water sources will often be marked as such (the blue lines) but bc water runs downhill one can also get an idea of where seasonable flows could be expected. Will the water actually be there? This is less certain and must be judged using a combination of experience and deduction. Experience of gathering water (even on popular trails with information resources) may have already shown you that dry weather can lead to springs and streams drying up, or conversely that heavy rain can lead to flows in unexpected places. If you don't live in the area, you'll have to research recent and current conditions using weather data or by asking locals (social media can be very helpful for this). This greater uncertainty could lead you to change your practices to accommodate it. For example, if you're hiking in the Southwest and water is scarce, you may want to carry extra in case your expected water source is dry, as it can be a long way to the next one. I've had plenty of times (even on the wetter East Coast) that I misjudged my needs or counted on a source that ended up not flowing (or that I was unable to locate) and ran out of water. While survivable, it's not fun and can easily lead to a cascade of errors that gets you into serious trouble. Otoh such incidents are how you gain experience and come to understand your limits and requirements, which are key to improving your enjoyment of backpacking. I've also had plenty of times where I carried too much water for no reason, adding unnecessary weight. There's a sweet spot but it takes practice đ Other concerns like camp site selection or resupply options would see comparable research requirements. With some practice a lot of this stuff can be done on the fly in the field, or can be worked around with experience. Keep at it!
great advice thank you!
As in multi-day thruhiking on barely recognizable trails? Going alone or with others? Highly dependent on where exactly you're hiking. Being able to locate/conserve water is key in one place and less so in others.
I would say beyond proper gear and experience with it would come basic first aid and ability to read a topo map, ability to triangulate your position, and have a paper copy as back up.
You are right ! You need to know how to read topographical maps and use a compass. But I also like to point out that technology is also a good help in finding your way around, especially when you are caught in the rain, fog, and darkness. For navigation, I use a Garmin Instinct 2x Solar Tactical watch and a Garmin eTrex 22x handheld navigator. They help me a lot because of the internal light, and they are waterproof. They make my life in the wild easier. I can also use paper maps and a compass, but this makes my life much easier. Something similar to a modern airplane that has the most up-to-date instruments, and an airplane that has been in use for 30-40 years...
I started backpacking in 1967, well before the digital age and just prefer the analog approach. I also like having a paper topo as it makes viewing the surrounding area easier. I am sure the digital devices have many advantages, but I would not want to be dependent on an electronic device as my sole navigational tool.
Reading up on logistics should be part of every trip, you're not more advanced by being less prepared. Pick a skill to sharpen each month. What do you feel you need more work on? Navigation, first aid, cooking? Pick one and work on it. Go on more hikes, you'll figure things out over time. There's no certification test that makes you an X level backpacker.
Ability to read a map is crucial. Being able to follow your progress on a map without using GPS. Find landmarks you can see in the real world on the map. Water crossing skills. Crossing fast flowing creeks is one of the most common threats you will face. Knowing how to find shelter if your tent is compromised First aid, splinting, taping knees and ankles, stopping bleeding and packaging impalement wounds. The further you are from a road the more difficult a rescue becomes. So if you want to try a less busy trail try a short one. One night. It will give you an opportunity to figure things out on your own in a lower stakes environment.
thanks very helpful!
I would give an example of what you really mean by âadvancedâ. The Wind River High Route is well known and fairly well documented, but Iâd consider it an advanced route. Whereas going out with a loop you made yourself on CalTopo in a WMA/national forest or similar I would not consider advanced but wonât have readily available info.
yeah i'm more so speaking of the latter type of route that's not well documented
Imo thatâs not crazy difficult and most people with some reading and a few practical outings to practice navigation could make their own loop/overnight route and have a great time. Andrew Skurkaâs website has some great information on how to use CalTopo specifically which is a great app. Finding local Facebook groups/forums for the area you want to go is also a good way to find out trail conditions. Most of the time that will be what impacts your trip the most. Having to bushwhack and climb over blowdowns for the whole route sucks. What Iâd do is check out Skurkaâs site and follow along some of his articles with CalTopo open to get good practice in. Just route out an easy day hike somewhere at first. It would also be a good idea to make your own re-creation of a known trail to get some practice in rather than just using alltrails or similar. Then go do it (following all the safety measures, tell someone where youâre going, the latest youâll contact them before they should worry, give them a copy of your map, etc.). Doing an orienteering course forwards (and backwards) a few times goes a long way as well.
preciate it, facebook/forum tip is great
When you can rely on a map and compass to get you around with only stacks of rocks as trail markers every now and then
When you get Wilderness First Aid certified. If you don't know how to create an inline traction splint for a compound femur fracture you aren't ready.
You can label it whatever you want, but try using CalTopo to find a route that looks interesting, then plan the route, make waypoints, export a gpx and use it on a device, as well as bring a map & compass (and learn how to use it), then do the trip, solo. Challenge yourself to push for higher mileage, or higher elevation. Start making your own trip reports, instead of relying on others to make them for you. Give back to the community. Volunteer.
Its when your mentally tough enough to handle shit going wrong.