why adults need backpacking course

Outward Bound backpacking courses take you to remote, beautiful destinations both domestic and international. Carrying everything you need on your back, you’ll travel into wilderness areas away from crowds and civilization, allowing space to focus on your present task at hand and the people surrounding you.

Full Answer

Why do people go backpacking?

The backpack has rapidly become a universal and unmistakable symbol for someone who is out to explore what the world has to offer. Backpackers come in many shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities, and creeds. People generally go backpacking for different reasons, each person having their own.

Do you need a guide when backpacking?

If you have an experienced backpacking friend who knows you well, invite them along and they can be your guide. But you can also do this backpacking thing on your own—that’s the focus of this article. We advise you to bring a friend regardless of their backpacking knowledge, though, because that makes any trip safer and more fun.

What is it like to be a backpacker?

Being a backpacker gives you some unprecedented free time that gives you an opportunity to do whatever you want to do when you want. From sunsets to sunrises, you’ll get to experience them first-hand. 7.) Respect. Being a backpacker is like being a student.

How do I get Started with backpacking?

To get ready for your first backpacking trip, follow these steps: Choose an easy destination: Short overnight hikes close to home are best. Get essential gear and clothing: Borrow and scrounge gear to save money. Plan your food: Just-add-water meals can be found at your local REI, or find easy to cook options at regular grocery stores.

Is there an age limit for NOLS?

NOLS teaches real skills in wild places so you can adventure for a lifetime. NOLS Adult Expeditions are immersive 1- to 2-week wilderness experiences designed exclusively for adults 23 and over.

Can anyone NOLS?

NOLS reserves the right to deny admission to anyone that NOLS, in its sole discretion, believes is unable to meet the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, or safety demands of our courses. You can learn more about our admission criteria by contacting the Admission Office.

How do I prepare for backpacking physically?

2 nonconsecutive rest days; take more any time you feel your body needs it. 3 nonconsecutive cardio sessions up until 2 weeks beforehand. Two weeks before your trip: Change your cardio days to long day hikes (60+ minutes each) with a pack that weighs about 80% of the weight you'll be carrying on your trip.

How much does NOLS cost?

24 hours 15 30 Per Person $190.33 One Free Enrollment for at least 19 Students. Two Free Enrollments for at least 29 Students. If 10 or more courses are scheduled in one year (between 9/1 and 8/31) customer receives a 5% discount from price offered to GSA.

What is the purpose of NOLS?

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help you step forward boldly as a leader. We believe that anyone can be a leader; it's our role to provide the environment and training to help you discover your full potential.

What is the difference between NOLS and Outward Bound?

NOLS expeditions focus on outdoor skills, leadership, and the environment. Our goal is that a NOLS graduate will be able to lead others in the backcountry and do so in a comfortable and responsible manner. Outward Bound focuses on personal development and inspiration to service.

Is backpacking good exercise?

Backpackers get no respect as athletes. But that doesn't change the facts: Backpacking is great exercise. No other sport combines endurance training, weight-bearing workouts, and a low injury rate in such an enticing package. When properly trained, a hiker's body is just as honed and fit as those of other athletes.

What are the benefits of hiking?

How Hiking Is Good for Body and MindLower your risk of heart disease.Improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.Boost bone density, since walking is a weight-bearing exercise.Build strength in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips and lower legs.Strengthen your core.Improve balance.More items...•

Does backpacking build muscle?

Does Hiking Build Core Muscles? Hiking will naturally engage your core muscles. Your legs will be doing most of the work, while your abdominals and pelvis will be used for balance. Building core muscles helps with backpacking and hauling camping gear on a hike.

Is NOLS hard?

It took me a while to properly reflect on NOLS. It was the biggest learning experience of my life. It was hard. The Winds challenged me and I didn't fight to enjoy the wilderness.

What is a NOLS course like?

A NOLS course is an immersive expedition where you will spend time exploring remote, wild places with a tight-knit community of students and instructors. No experience is required, but by the end you'll have the skills and experiences to be a leader.

How much do NOLS instructors get paid?

The national average salary for a NOLS Instructor is $58,036 per year in United States. Filter by location to see a NOLS Instructor salaries in your area.

1. You cannot and will not learn everything from a book

There is this thing called ‘life experience’. Ask 100 people who they would rather sit next to at a dinner party, someone who has stories to tell of their travels, or someone who read about a country in a book, I guarantee all 100 would say the person who has lived the experience.

2. The sociability factor

You’re on your own and you cannot hide behind your friends. Loneliness is hell so you have to make the effort to talk to people and engage in social interaction. Or, you have become far too introverted with your own friendship group that you ignore and forget other people around you and are essentially being an unpleasant person.

3. To be a little slutty

It’s not really the correct thing to say when someone asks you why you want to go backpacking for a while but it’s an unspoken reason for many a backpacker.

4. Backpacking helps the economy

For some countries tourism is the major area for income and the economy. In fact, nearly every country that you can possibly imagine visiting ranks tourism as one of the top earners for their economy. If we all stopped travelling we would seriously hinder the global economy and we’ve all experienced the pain of the recession.

To tie it all together

The appeal to a beautiful sense of adventure and a return to life’s fundamental necessities has made backpacking one of the most engaging activities.

Sources

https://www.advnture.com/features/what-is-backpacking https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-reasons-why-backpacking-is-the-best-way-to-travel-the-world https://environmental-conscience.com/backpacking-pros-cons/

Reasons to be a Backpacker

Over the past 40-50 years, being a backpacker has become a global trademark of a sort. The backpack has rapidly become a universal and unmistakable symbol for someone who is out to explore what the world has to offer. Backpackers come in many shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities, and creeds.

What are your thoughts?

What is your list of reasons to be a backpacker? What are your reasons to go backpacking?

Thanks for stopping by! – Andy

Hey there amigo! Did you enjoy this article? If you did and would like to keep in touch, please consider subscribing to my bi-monthly newsletter and/or connecting with me on social media. I make constant updates to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to bring you the latest from BackpackingDiplomacy.com. Cheers and have a great day wherever you are!

REACH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS

Outward Bound backpacking courses take you to remote, beautiful destinations both domestic and international. Carrying everything you need on your back, you’ll travel into wilderness areas away from crowds and civilization, allowing space to focus on your present task at hand and the people surrounding you.

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Is backpacking common for college kids?

We typically think of backpackers as college kids and gap-year travellers but backpacking is increasingly common for people of all ages. And why not? It’s an excellent way to travel that makes it easy to get from place to place and offers room for ad hoc adventures.

Do you need back support when backpacking?

Let’s be honest, you’re not getting any younger. If you’re going to be backpacking as an adult, you need sufficient back support or you’ll really be feeling it the next day. This isn’t the time to cheap out on the lowest price option or you risk being out of commission during your travels.

Is travel insurance good for adults?

Travel insurance is unlikely to be top of mind when you’re just on the verge of adulthood. But as you travel more, and don’t have your parents on standby to bail you out of any issue that arises, it’s important to protect yourself. Travel insurance covers health issues that may arise as well as trip cancellation and interruption, which is hands down worth the cost in the event that something goes wrong. We’ve used World Nomads in the past and have only great things to say about them. For us it’s easy, affordable and even covers adventure activities that are excluded from other policies. Insurance shouldn’t be an afterthought – make sure it’s top of mind.

How to get ready for backpacking?

To get ready for backpacking, follow these tips: Get physically ready: You’re not training for a marathon, but even a short trip can be physically demanding. At a minimum do plenty of day hikes and be able to comfortably handle trails with a similar distance and elevation gain as your planned trip.

What is backpacking in camping?

Backpacking is an adventure that blends hiking with backcountry camping. It lets you broaden your horizons beyond the car campground to enjoy a richer, more immersive outdoor experience. A key distinction from day hiking is the size of your pack—your backpack (and you) must carry all of life’s essentials on your back.

How to spend more time hiking?

Pick a place close to home. You want to spend more time hiking than driving. You also want to have ample daylight hours to reach camp before dark. Just a few miles roundtrip is fine: Plan on shorter distances than your typical day hike because walking with a heavier pack is slower and more difficult.

Can you use a single burner stove for backpacking?

Stove: If you own a single-burner camp stove that weighs less than a pound, it’s probably fine for your first backpacking trip. If you choose to buy, you’ll have to consider fuel types first and then make your stove choice. A lot of beginners go with a gas-canister stove because they're affordable and easy to use.

Can you repurpose car camping gear?

Because you have to carry and fit it all into your pack, backpacking gear has to be lightweight and compact. That’s why, with a few exceptions, it’s not practical to simply repurpose car camping gear. Remember, too, that you’ll be splitting up gear like tents and pots and stoves when you hike with a friend.

Do you need to buy hiking clothes?

No need to buy a bunch of special “hiking clothes” for your first backpacking trip. Simply go through your fitness wear and find clothing made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabrics like nylon and polyester. (Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from skin to keep you dryer.)