Preparing for a 3-day backpacking trip?

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ElenaDragon

New member
In August, I will be going on a 3-day long backpacking trip with my Dad and my sister. The total distance is nearly 17 miles, but there are some huge changes in elevation (we will be hiking to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite :D ). See the image for the elevation gain.

I exercise every day for at least 30 minutes (I do more a few days a week), but I don't do much walking or any running. I am going to start walking once a week with a friend, but probably only for about an hour or two. I'm wondering what would be the best way to prepare for my backpacking trip? I'm guessing that my daily exercise will help me be in good shape, but should I start doing more walking as well? Should I start doing exercise for longer periods of time?

While we will be taking it at a reasonably slow pace, it is almost three days of straight walking, and I have never backpacked overnight before. I don't want to be too beat to enjoy the trip! :)
 

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DO NOT wear new shoes - make sure your shoes are well broken in and won't give you blisters... and do some practicing with the backpack with the weight you will be lugging around.
 
Do you have a step mill at your gym -- the kind that looks like a section of an escalator? I found that is a great way to prepare for uphill hiking.
 
Since we will be renting backpacks, unfortunately I won't have any time to practice with them beforehand. I already have my shoes in mind and will be doing my weekly walking with them to get my feet used to them! :)

I don't belong to a gym, but I do have stairs in my house, lol. I suppose I could practice going up them over and over again. Sounds boring, but it does sound helpful.

For the water, we won't be able to carry all the water that we need for the three day trip. So we will have water filters/purifiers, and there are natural water sources along the way to refill.
 
its the weight you want to get used to carrying - do you know how heavy your packs will be (generally, you want th etotal weight to be less than half your body weight but I'd definitely practice with at least 25lbs - carry a bag of books or a pile of laundry - hiking isn't that bad but when you add in a pack to it -it because morechallenging
 
Good point with the weight of the backpack Mal,

I climbed the Mt Baumann in Togo years ago (it took 2-3 days and also involved camping out overnight) so we had to carry our bottles of water, food, little bunsen burners for cooking, as well as our tents in our rucksacks.

The one thing I learnt was to ensure the rucksack was placed as high up on my back as possible - it should not be left to slouch against your back as this will cause back pain.

I hope your shoes have good ankle support - I remember being advised on shoes a little while back for a Walk I'll be doing tomorrow, and mention was made of shoes that provide adequate ankle support. This is more applicable to you as you won't be on a level surface.

During the trip I found it helpful to take regular breaks to calm down, take in the scenery. Take regular sips of water so you don't become dehydrated, and change your socks once they become wet so you don't develop blisters (another helpful suggestion I was given on this forum)

Prior to my climb I hadn't done much exercise, and I managed to get through it, so I'm sure that with your level of activity it shouldn't be too difficult. It's a pleasure trip with your family, so I think you should just prepare for it, and then chill out and enjoy it. It should be fun. :)
 
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