Backcountry getaways offer a chance to escape the daily grind and relax outdoors. You might want to bike, camp, fish, or drive your RV away to a place where you can hear yourself think and breathe fresh air that doesn’t smell like exhaust.
However, venturing into the backcountry also comes with some risks. You need to be prepared for anything, from a sprained ankle to an encounter with a wild animal.
12 Best tips for staying safe and healthy in the Backcountry
Here are Top 12 tips for staying safe and healthy in the backcountry:
1. Bring Plenty Of Supplies
The basics of backcountry safety start with bringing adequate supplies. It means backpacking food, water, and other essential items to last at least three days longer than your trip.
Even if you’re backpacking just for the day, always bring a change of clothes, an extra bar of granola, and an extra bottle of water in case something happens that makes it impossible for you to hike back out that day.
On the list of things, you don’t want to run out of food, water, energy bars, sunscreen, and bug spray. If you can fit it on your backpacking list, then bring it.
If you’re going on a backcountry getaway, you should remember that you are your responsibility and no one else’s, that’s why you should be prepared for any circumstances or problems that may arise during your trip.
The beginning of your trip is the best time to make sure you have packed everything you might need. Don’t wait until you’re in the backcountry and miles away from the nearest store to realize that you’ve forgotten something.
2. Tell Someone Where You’re Going
After you have gathered all your supplies, let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Even if you are an experienced backcountry adventurer, informing someone about your itinerary is still a good idea. If an emergency happens, your loved ones will be one step closer to knowing where to look for you.
Backcountry emergencies can happen to anyone, so be prepared to let someone know your plans before heading out.
3. Stay Warm And Dry, Dress In Layers
One of the backcountry’s greatest obstacles is the cold weather. Being out at night when it’s chilly can be incredibly dangerous if you are not dressed appropriately for the weather.
Wear warm clothes, but keep some dry clothing in your bag if something happens to your other layers. It is also good to wear two or three thin layers rather than one thick layer. This way, you’re able to remove or add clothing as needed to adjust to the changing weather conditions.
Clothing suggestions for various weather conditions:
- Cold weather: Heavy coat, thermal underwear, hat, gloves/mittens, scarf
- Hot weather: Shorts and T-shirt made of lightweight, breathable material, sunscreen
- Rainy or windy weather: Windbreaker, raincoat, waterproof shoes, hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt
Knowing what to wear in different backcountry conditions is almost as crucial as your basic necessities like food and water.
4. Bring The Right Gear
You don’t want to bring a tent on an overnight backpacking trip in the summer, nor would you want to hike all day with a heavy backpack in 35 °F weather. The right backpacking gear will not only keep you safe and healthy, but also protect you from the elements, but it will also help make your backcountry experience more enjoyable.
Backpacking gear suggestions for various types of trips:
- Day trip: Small backpack, water, snacks, sunscreen, hat
- Overnight trip: Tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove and fuel, cooking pots and pans.
- Multi-day trip: More of the items listed for overnight and day trips, as well as extra food, water filter or treatment system, backcountry first-aid kit
Knowing what gear to bring for your backcountry trip is essential. Don’t forget anything important.
5. Bring A Survival Kit
A survival kit is essential for ensuring backcountry safety and preparedness for emergencies.
Backcountry survival kit inclusions:
Knife: Each person should have a knife while backpacking, to use for self-defense, fire starting, and cutting the rope to your backpacks in case they get stuck somewhere.
A compass and a map: A basic compass and map are essential backcountry safety tools that’ll help you find your route back home if you become lost or disoriented.
First aid kit: A first aid kit is a must-have for any backcountry trip and should include supplies for treating injuries such as blisters, cuts, and snake bites.
Matches: A waterproof case of matches is essential for starting a fire in the backcountry.
Flashlight or headlamp: These are necessary for seeing in the dark and can also signal for help.
The backcountry can be a threatening place if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings. Bears, mountain lions, and other predators may be lurking around the next bend, so be prepared for anything.
6. Be Aware Of The Weather
Before backpacking, make sure you are aware of all the backcountry weather conditions. There may be a situation that calls for you to stay inside because it is too dangerous to go out.
If the weather becomes harsh, you might have no choice but stay in your backcountry tent until it clears up. It’ll be best to check the weather forecast before your trip and always be aware of the current backpacking conditions.
7. Stay Hydrated
Asides from the cold condition, one of the backcountry’s most significant dangers is dehydration. When you’re active and sweating all day in the hot sun, it’s easy to become dehydrated without even realizing it.
While backpacking, make sure to drink plenty of water and bring along a hydration pack or water filter to refill your bottle. Dehydration can lead to debilitating headaches, dizziness, and even heat stroke, so it’s essential to stay hydrated at all times.
8. Be Careful When Selecting A Campsite
Another backcountry safety tip is to be careful about where you camp. Choosing a campsite for your backcountry camping may not be as easy as it seems, especially if you’re with a large group of people.
Your backcountry campsite must have plenty of trees with sturdy undergrowth for hanging your hammock, setting up your tent, and cooking food.
Avoid clearings, meadows, and low-lying areas that tend to collect water. It’s also wise to avoid camping near riverbanks because flooding can occur without warning in the backcountry.
It is best to find a backcountry campsite at least 100 feet away from any water source and 200 feet away from trails and populated areas.
When selecting a backcountry campsite, be sure to take into account the wind direction and how it will affect your shelter and cooking.
9. Build A Campfire
Never go backpacking in the backcountry without building a backcountry fire. Building it is essential for cooking food, staying warm, and keeping safe and healthy. If you’re backpacking alone or something happens to your group, you can use campfires as signals to help guide people to your location.
If you are backpacking with a group of people, build backcountry campfires that are large enough for everyone to sit around. It can also be used as safety signals to help rescuers find your location after an emergency.
10. Stay Alert
Be aware of backcountry predators. If you are backpacking in a grizzly country, be sure to make plenty of noise to avoid surprising a bear or other large predator. It’s imperative that you are aware that backcountry animals are most active at dusk and dawn.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times, if you notice anything strange, investigate further before proceeding. One of the rules of backcountry safety is “when in doubt, get out.” It’s better to backtrack or seek another route than climb into a backcountry situation that may put you in danger.
11. Avoid Unnecessary Distractions
Backcountry safety is also about avoiding backcountry distractions. Partying, drinking alcohol, and other things can be fun for many people but are huge backcountry prohibitions. When you’re backpacking, your focus should be to enjoy nature and get back safely.
Leave the distractions behind and enjoy your time in the backcountry by being alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
In the first place, backcountry backpacking is meant to be an escape from the distractions of everyday life. Nature offers backcountry backpacking enthusiasts the opportunity to escape into nature.
12. Practice ‘Leave No Trace’ Camping
The last backcountry backpacking tip is to practice backcountry “leave no trace” camping.
When backpacking in the backcountry, try not to damage any of the natural surroundings that you encounter. Backpackers are just visitors passing through, so it’s essential to minimize your impact on backcountry campsites. It means packing out all of your trash, using biodegradable soap when washing dishes, and burying human waste away from water sources.
Only build fires in backcountry areas that allow for open fire, and put out all backcountry campfires before you leave. Following these guidelines will help keep you safe and healthy
Final Note
Following these backcountry safety tips will help keep you safe and healthy on your next backpacking getaway. If you are new to backpacking, it is also a good idea to practice proper backcountry camping etiquette beforehand.
Always remember to be prepared for the unexpected to make your trip hassle-free and a memorable one.