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Alison Fensterer
Dr. Arnold
UWRT 1101-073: Writing & Inquiry in Academic Contexts I
December 7, 2015
Planning Ahead for the Big Trip:
An Ethnography on planning for a backpacking trip
A backpacking trip is essentially packing a backpack, going out in the woods on a trail
and camping overnight. Before going out and enjoying nature you have to put time into planning
the trip. My goal of this ethnography is to show people how much planning goes into a
backpacking trip. People think that you can just pack up and go, however there are key factors
that go into planning a backpacking trip. Through my observations of the backpacking
subculture and personal experiences, I have noticed reoccurring topics people discuss. All of the
topics they discuss and sometimes bicker over are all important parts in planning a trip. I also
interviewed Sara Chester, who has been going on backpacking trips since the eighth grade.
While doing secondary research I have learned quite a bit more about backpacking that I did not
know previously. Through my research, observations, self-experiences and the interview I
conducted I hope to give people a good idea of the planning behind a backpacking trip.
As I observed people hiking to their camping sites I heard many of them mention
different trails. Some of them agreed on trails and others did not. The discussion on trails made
me wonder how important picking a trail really was. After asking many of them about trails,
they all agreed that picking a trial is the first and most important step. Picking the correct trail
for your trip is important because you need to make sure you can handles the trail. Each tail
differs in difficulty and length, “When determining how many miles to hike each day, consider
the terrain and whether you’d like a leisurely pace or would you rather cover as much ground as
possible on your trip.” (“Planning”). It is also important to pick a trail first so you can do
research on regulations in that area. The area you decide to camp on might be in a National
Forest, which would have specific rules you would need to follow. Finding the information you
need is not hard, “You may be able to find information from park rangers or park websites in the
area you’re interested in exploring.” (Staff). Picking a place is the first of many topics among
the backpacking subculture.
While out in the woods I often notice people struggling with their backpacks. I heard
many conversations on packs coming from the backpackers. Some of the people were talking
about which bag they used, where they got them and others talked about strategical ways to pack
them. I found it interesting there were so many subtopics just on the backpack itself. The
biggest part of the backpack mentioned was which size everyone was using. They come in many
different sizes depending on how long the trip is and how much you plan on taking. You can get
a backpack anywhere, I heard many different brands and stores all thrown around. It is
important when buying a backpack to make sure that it fits you. Many people fit themselves
wrong when getting a backpack. Remember, “Backpacks are sized according to torso length, not
a person’s height.” (Staff). The next subtopic is where people began to disagree and that was
how to pack it. Each person had their own “ingenious” way of packing their backpack
strategically. After doing some research I found that, “A general rule of thumb is to put water,
cooking gear, and other heavy items close to the center of your back and pack lighter-weight
items around them.” (“Planning”). Having all of the heavier gear in the middle of your back will
help keep your center of balance and will help with back pain. With all of these topics branching
off just the pack you can begin to see why planning a trip takes a lot of time and effort.
Something I noticed while I observed people in their campsites was that they mostly all
had the same pieces of equipment. Each backpacker had opinions on what piece of equipment
was more important, but overall they had the same key pieces. Many people might worry at this
point that camping gear weights too much however, “Many comforts of home come in
impressively lightweight backpacking forms: stoves, cushy sleeping pads, camp pillows.” (Staff).
I noticed many of the backpackers had these gear in tiny lightweight forms. Most of the
backpackers slept in tents, although I saw quite a few people using hammocks. I asked some of
them why and their responses were simple, to save room in the backpack. I actually just got a
hammock to use for backpacking and for fun. You should also think about getting a sleeping
bag. During my interview with Sara she informed me that a regular sleeping bag can weigh a lot;
however some companies make a lightweight sleeping bag that only weights 1-2 pounds. While
these are not the pieces of equipment you will need they are the basic ones I notice and will get
you started.
Through my observations I saw many people eating freeze dried food. Even when I am
just hiking with family or friends I often see people snacking on apples, granola bars or some
type of snack food. Obviously while backpacking eating and staying hydrated are very
important and something that some people might not think of. During my research I found that,
“For simplicity choose freeze-dried food that requires just a few cups of boiling water and 10
minutes of wait time.” (Staff). I asked Sara what kind of food she typically brings, her response
was: “For food we usually take freeze dried meals. We have a Jetboil, which is a portable stove
that boils water in about 30-60 seconds.” As you can see bringing a freeze dried meal is time
efficient and simple to do. Usually when I go hiking I bring some snack foods and water with
me. Bringing just something small to munch on is nice for when you do not want to stop and
make food. Each person might prefer different foods however, they can all agree that food and
water are essential for a backpacking trip.
Whenever I go out on a backpacking trip I usually wear the same clothes. I often see
people wearing similar clothes as me. The most common piece of clothing I saw was hiking
boots. Almost everyone I observed was wearing hiking boots. They are made specifically for
hiking because they come up around your ankle and provide support for them, “Tennis shoes and
urban/athletic footwear are too flexible for roots and rocks on trails.” (Staff). Depending on
what time of the year it is or the weather outside the other clothes can vary. During my
observation many people were wearing layers, which is something that I typically do unless it is
the dead middle of summer. I saw people wearing longer pants, a t-shirt and some type of coat.
You will see many people wearing rain coats, because the weather can always be unpredictable
and it helps keep the bugs off of you while just sitting around camp. (Staff). I noticed that some
people wore pants that were convertible, “Convertible pants are popular. Their lower-leg
portions can zip off if you want more air and sun.” (Staff). The types of clothes that people wear
while backpacking are usually the same and can depend on the weather or season.
When asking people the last minute details they do before leaving, many of them brought
up different points. However some of their last minute rituals overlapped. The five most
common I heard were leaving an itinerary, contacting a ranger office, testing gear out, exercise,
and mentally prepared for emergency situations. Everyone might not do these or do them
differently, the research I did backed them all up. Leaving an itinerary with someone who is
staying in town is a great idea. This is in case if something happens to you someone knows
where you are. Then if a search and rescue team needs to find you they can quickly. It is smart
to call ahead, “Contact a ranger office at or near your destination. Ask about road closures, trial
conditions, permit requirements, animal activity or any temporary restrictions.” (Staff). Good
advice I found online was to, “Take a short overnight trip before striking out on a bigger trip or
even just camp in your backyard for a night with the gear you plan to use.” (“Planning”). This is
to make sure you know how to use all of the gear. Think about doing some exercise prior to
your trip, “Your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength will be of the utmost importance, so
running, long day hikes, and walking uphill with a weighted pack are all great ways to prepare.”
(Planning for a Backpacking Trip). Most importantly make sure you are prepared for emergency
situations. Being prepared in the woods is important because depending on where you are the
nearest town could be an hour or more away. Even though not all of these were suggested by the
backpackers I met, they would still be good ideas to do to make your trip safer.
Through my observations I found that some people prefer different food, gear or clothes.
However many of them discussed similar topics dealing with the planning while out on their
backpacking trips. That maybe have been food they brought, important gear to them, clothes
they prefer or trails they enjoy more. This shows that this subculture is a community in itself.
Even though they may not all agree with each other’s opinions they share that common interest,
a love for nature and the adventure of the outdoors. I hope you realized that it takes more than
just putting some gear into a bag and picking a spot. You should plan and do research on your
own before setting out on a trip. If you are considering going I encourage you to get out there
and do it! I also encourage you to watch the people in this subculture if you go backpacking. By
actually watching what people do you can learn so much more than my observations and
research could tell you. Watching the people can give you a better idea of the planning behind a
trip and what to expect once you get out there.