Where to start

A friend asked if I wanted to do an overnight back packing trip, and I am usually up for an adventure. So, I decided why not? This can’t be that hard, you put on a backpack, drop the kids off with a babysitter/ family member for the weekend and go, right? Wrong. There are so many things to choose from where, when, how far, what do you really need to survive? It got a little overwhelming.

First thing we did was decide to go, that was the easy part. I was looking into my stash of hiking bags, not a single one is big enough to hold what in theory we need for the weekend, let alone bring a good camera. There are so many options, how do you want it to fit, what color, how many pockets, where are they placed? For someone that likes to plan and research stuff this is just too much. I am one that likes to order stuff online, specially in this day, but a good pack you should go to a store and try on, and ask the professionals for help. Normally, I would ask a friend for their opinion, but I only have one friends that likes to do this crazy stuff with me, and we have totally different body types, so what works for her probably won’t work for me.

I found a wonderful book The backpackers Ultimate Gear Guide, by far the most informative, with good useful information. You can look up a lot of things, but I have found a lot of times all the information isn’t always good or useful. It brought up even more questions, I wouldn’t even thought to think of. Or had when it was to late to figure out. Like in the woods, with no cell service, and no way to get any help.