I have always wanted to backpack. In college, I had already signed up for a beginners Backpacking course that was to culminate with a 3 day, 2 night hike deep in the woods. Well, I was pumped. I couldn't wait! Then, the male instructor began to talk about LNT. Specifically, trash & waste. My thoughts ran rampent. At the risk of being indelicate, I will just say that being a young female in a predominately male group, all I could think of was LNT & a certain situation I would possibly find myself in during the 3 day hike. I chickened out (& I am still sick that I did).

Now, almost 20 years & 2 kids later, I would really love to check this one off my list. So, what are your tips, ideas etc... for a out-of-shape NOVICE to begin learning to backpack? (Btw, would love to take the kids). What about shoes? A starter backpack? What essentials do you take?

Good for you! It's never too late.

I went to REI and took some of their classes about backpacking specifically for women. Then I slowly got the gear. (you can see if you can borrow from friends). There is better equipment available for what you are talking about. many more women are getting out there, and retailers are noticing and encouraging it.

I also have a book about backpacking, and read blogs, asked people who had been, etc.

Many places will help fit you for a pack, REI being one of them. They will also make recommendations on gear based on budget and type of trips you are wanting to take.

Start slowly, and start hiking when you can. Add miles, then start adding weight to your pack. When I train, I start with a day pack and the 6 essentials (sun protection, water, trail food, headlamp/flashlight, whistle, and first aid kit). Then I switch to my backpack, and start adding gear, then water and food, so it's not a shock to my system when I add a heavy pack.

Gear: backpack, tent (I like my two person- plenty of room when it's just me), sleep bag and pad, hydration pouch/water bottles, stuff sack for clothes and doubles as a pillow, map and compass, stove and fuel if you want hot food and coffee. Tere are so many options, so see what you have first, see what you need or want, and see what you can get second hand.

They recommend youto carry upto 25% of your weight, but adjust that as you know your body best. That's why the training hikes are so important, especially as you are starting out.

I would get yourself in trail shape with your kids! I make my kids hike with me all the time. They have their own daypacks, and now backpacks. I have been with backpacking my daughter once, and am going to take her girl scout troop soon on a one night easy out and back.

Shoes are key. I love my Keens, but they may not work best for you. I love REIs return policy, you can buy them, try them on a few trails and if they don't work, you can return them within a year. So if you can, go there and try on every shoe they have, in a half size bigger than you normally wear.

Other ideas: look on Facebook and meetup for hiking backpacking groups around you. There are women only groups, you can get on there and ask if anyone is free a weekend, has recommendations on trails and gear, or gear to borrow.

The Texas State Parks has an outdoor weekend for women that has different classes teaching outdoor skills, but it fills up very quickly. You could see if there is something like that near you as well.

It's exciting to do something you had thought you couldn't before. My first trip was by my self to Big Bend NP. It was challenging, but I am so glad I did it. I am trying to figure out where and when to go now. Let me know and maybe we could meet up sometime.

Good luck to you and enjoy!

https://www.rei.com/adventures

I just celebrated my 70th birthday on the AT with these people in GSMNP--first time backpacking. They organize backpacking trips for women only as well as co-ed in various locations around the US and internationally. I took my 4 kids with we.

You ROCK!

Wow! Thanks for the advice. I have been wanting to take our older girl scouts too. None of the other leaders are really interested, but I have a few buddies that are in my Bible class group that are starting to hike together.
It would be fun to go hiking with someone who likes to take pictures too. Wow! How on earth do you take all that gear? Food, shelter, boxing & photo graph equipment... that's intense!👊Fist bump to you, I am impressed!

Fantastic! That is wonderful. Hope you had good weather.
How did you locate the group that organized the women's hike? Was it through the park service?

We are also trying to get into backpacking and my son dreams of hiking the Pacific Creat Trail.

Last year we started small with a Walk-In campsite and purposely picked one at the very end. It was only about half a mile. He got the feel of carrying some gear in a pack and eating freeze-dried food, but there were still bathrooms and running water.

This year we are going a bit farther (one mile), and are going to try filtering our water. I figure we will slowly build up to longer trips and graduate to proper backpacking gear over time