Hiking Overnight
Day hikes are usually simple affairs that start and end at the door of your vehicle at a trailhead, or maybe at your own front door.
When you get the urge to travel further than your legs can carry you in a day, the affair becomes a bit more complicated. More skills, gear, food, and planning are required for a successful multi-day hike.
Styles
No two people hike the same. We each have our own pace, endurance, nutrition and comfort needs, as well as sources of enjoyment. Some are willing to sacrifice comfort to cover many miles while others prefer slower, more comfortable, and possibly heavier hiking.
No two people hike the same. We each have our own pace, endurance, nutrition and comfort needs, as well as sources of enjoyment. Some are willing to sacrifice comfort to cover many miles while others prefer slower, more comfortable, and possibly heavier hiking.
Shelters
Nomads have carried their homes along with them for eons. You will be a nomad on your long hike, taking your home along mile after mile. Choose a lightweight, comfortable shelter that protects from the environment.
Nomads have carried their homes along with them for eons. You will be a nomad on your long hike, taking your home along mile after mile. Choose a lightweight, comfortable shelter that protects from the environment.
Sleep Systems
Cowboys used to throw down their saddle for a pillow and wrap up in an old blanket. That can still work for you, but there are other options to stay warm and comfortable through many cold, wet, windy nights. Flexibility to work with varying temperatures is a good goal for your sleeping system.
Cowboys used to throw down their saddle for a pillow and wrap up in an old blanket. That can still work for you, but there are other options to stay warm and comfortable through many cold, wet, windy nights. Flexibility to work with varying temperatures is a good goal for your sleeping system.
Cooking
There's nothing wrong with planning a completely non-cook menu for a multi-day hike. You can live for days and weeks eating crackers and cheese and jerky, but at some point, you'll be ready to kill for a hot, steaming meal. On long-distance hikes, there are quite a few options for cooking your food so you can choose which works best for your trek.
There's nothing wrong with planning a completely non-cook menu for a multi-day hike. You can live for days and weeks eating crackers and cheese and jerky, but at some point, you'll be ready to kill for a hot, steaming meal. On long-distance hikes, there are quite a few options for cooking your food so you can choose which works best for your trek.
Long Distance
Hiking in 5 miles and back out the next day is a great weekend trip. A 40-mile loop through the mountains over a week is a real challenge. But, what happens when you get the bug to really hike far? There are special concerns when hiking for weeks or months on end, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Hiking in 5 miles and back out the next day is a great weekend trip. A 40-mile loop through the mountains over a week is a real challenge. But, what happens when you get the bug to really hike far? There are special concerns when hiking for weeks or months on end, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Campsites
Depending on the trail you hike, there may be permanent shelters, established campsites, open camping, or no legal camping allowed. Decide what kind of camping you are willing to do and then plan your day hikes to end where you are able to camp.
Depending on the trail you hike, there may be permanent shelters, established campsites, open camping, or no legal camping allowed. Decide what kind of camping you are willing to do and then plan your day hikes to end where you are able to camp.
Have a question about Overnight Hikes? Just Ask!
All Comments:
Mar 02, 2017 - Nija
good information
Feb 19, 2024 - A Hiker
I am in the initial stages of planning for the American Discovery
Trail hike. I would like to know your thoughts on the best tent
and sleeping bag? Should I worry about a sleeping bag liner or
have that as a "to be delivered" item? (I have a "home base"
person helping me out!)
Feb 19, 2024 - Hiking Dude
"Best" is a tough question. Lightest? Warmest? Most Durable?
And, it depends on the time of year that you will be warmer or
colder areas. I would use a quilt rather than sleeping bag to
save weight, and a tarp tent that uses my hiking poles for
support. I'm very happy with the quilt I made and my Bear Paw
Wilderness Designs tent - I've been using both for the past 10
years.
I would NOT use a liner. The extra weight and space would not make sense to me for the limited warmth and cleanliness it might provide.
I would NOT use a liner. The extra weight and space would not make sense to me for the limited warmth and cleanliness it might provide.
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