When you’re a passionate outdoors adventurer, you can’t wait for the weekend and the time to go into the mountains or the place where you feel yourself the most. If you’re not but want to try it, you’re probably exploring your options and thinking about the best way.
Many people are not great fans of this fantastic activity because they don’t like the idea of dragging lots of items into the wilderness and carrying an oversized, heavy backpack. If you’re one of them, you’ll find the idea of traveling lightweight amazing.
In this article, we will talk more about the idea of traveling lightweight on your hiking and camping adventures. Although this is not for everyone, hiking lightly means truly enjoying nature, but on the other hand, it may also mean true suffering for those who detest it. Keep reading and find out if you’re the one for it.
Table of Contents
What is lightweight hiking?
The first principle of lightweight hiking is going in nature with the bare minimum equipment possible. Instead of carrying an oversized backpack with all sorts of things inside, you may only have a hiking pole and a few pockets with the most significant gear.
Leaving heavy gear at home is the essence of lightweight traveling. Since it is not simple to do, many people will set up camps in nature, and go on hiking adventures, only to go back to the same spot. This way, they are safe from any danger, and they control the entire situation.
How to go on a lightweight hiking adventure?
You can’t leave your home with nothing on you and expect to spend a few days in nature. Although possible, it is not recommended unless you’re a professional. When we say lightweight hiking in nature, we mean driving to a designated spot and taking off with your trip on foot from there.
Most people will look for aluminium UTE canopies for sale and install them on their vehicles before loading them with all the needed equipment. They will go to the great outdoors carrying everything they need, but take to the hiking trail only the items that are most needed.
When they come back, they can enjoy the camp that they have set up there, or turn on the engine and just go home. These vehicles are enormous, and with the proper toolbox over the rear tray, you can even spend the night inside, only to continue with the adventure in the morning.
What not to bring with you?
Many people can’t draw the line between going lightweight and not carrying anything, but when we say lightweight, we mean a lot of things. Aside from carrying only the necessary hiking gear, you should also mind the weight of the clothes you’re carrying, the weight of the backpack, and the exact amount of food and water needed for the trip.
Lightweight hiking means leaving everything not essential at home. Leave the camera, the coffee grinder, and especially the laptop. You don’t need your favorite alcohol or food to enjoy when you get to a particular destination. In short, leave home everything that will take the focus off the hike.
How to know if it is for you?
To know if this is for you, ask yourself if you can spend a few hours without checking your phone and walking past beautiful flowers without taking a picture. Lightweight hiking is for those who enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of nature for what they are.
If you love nature and need nothing more than what it is, you might love the idea of hiking lightweight. If you can make a perfect plan about calculating how much water and food you will need for the trip and be perfectly sure you’ll make it, then you’re the right person for it.
There’s a difference between lightweight and ultra-lightweight
Some people will go on these trips with nothing but their clothes and boots. One of the principles of traveling and hiking lightweight is leaving no trace behind. When you walk through nature, you must respect the life there and make sure no one is affected by your presence.
Still, there’s a difference between people who travel lightweight and those who go to extremes. Some people love spending many days in the great outdoors, feeding wild berries, hunting, and drinking fresh water. Make sure you know what you’re doing as this is only for the fittest and the most experienced.
Conclusion
These few points are all about traveling lightweight. Lightweight hiking is all about packing only the most crucial items for the trip, wearing light clothes, and a small backpack. If you feel like you can enjoy such a trip, do it, but if you can’t give up your phone camera, choose the standard way.
