Choose a route that removes the unknowns
The best first trip is almost boring on paper. Choose a route you have already walked as a day hike, or one that is well marked and popular. Aim for a distance you could comfortably cover in half a day, because a loaded pack slows you down more than most beginners expect, and you want plenty of time left at camp to sort out mistakes.
Three checks matter before anything else. First, confirm that camping is allowed where you plan to stop and whether you need a permit or a booking. Rules vary widely between countries and even between neighbouring parks, so check with the local land manager. Second, confirm a reliable water source, or plan to carry all of your water. Third, know your exit, meaning a way to bail out to a road if the weather turns or someone feels unwell.
If you are reading this in winter, be honest about the season. Cold nights need warmer, heavier and more expensive gear, and there is less daylight for solving problems. A first overnight in snow is not a good place to learn. Wait for a mild spell at low altitude, do your first night at a campsite close to the car, or use the cold months to rehearse and collect your kit.
The sleep system: tent, bag and pad
A bad night usually comes from one of these three items. The tent should be simple to pitch and big enough for you and your gear. A freestanding two person model is a comfortable choice for one person. The sleeping bag has a temperature rating, so pay attention to the comfort figure if the manufacturer gives one, because the lower limit figure describes survival more than a pleasant night. Choose a bag rated somewhat colder than the lowest temperature you expect.
The sleeping pad is the item beginners underrate. Your body weight crushes the insulation under you, so the pad is what stops the ground from draining your heat. Pads list an R-value: the higher the number, the better the insulation. A thin pad that is fine in summer will leave you cold in the shoulder seasons, however warm your bag is. If you do not own these items yet, borrowing or renting for the first trip is a smart way to learn what you like before you spend money.
Packing the bag
For one night, many people fit everything into a pack of around 35 to 50 liters, depending on how bulky their sleeping gear is. The guide on how to choose a hiking backpack explains volume and fit, and you can compare models in the backpack range. Load the bag in this order:
- Bottom: sleeping bag and items you do not need until camp.
- Middle, close to your back: heavy items such as water, food and stove.
- Top: your warm layer, rain shell and lunch, so you can reach them without unpacking.
- Outer pockets: map, snacks, headlamp, first aid kit and sanitation items.
Line the main compartment or use waterproof bags for your sleeping bag and spare clothes, as described in the dry bag guide. A wet sleeping bag is the one failure that can really ruin a night. Put the pack on at home and walk around the block. If something digs in or swings, fix it there and not on the trail.
Food and water for one night
You need dinner, breakfast, snacks and one hot drink more than you think you do. Keep the menu simple: something that only needs boiling water, one pot and one spoon. A small gas stove is the easy choice for beginners, and the guide to camp cooking, stoves, pots and coffee walks through the options. Browse camping stoves if you do not own one, and light it at home at least once.
Treat any water you collect from natural sources by filtering, boiling or using a chemical treatment according to the product instructions. Plan your carrying capacity around how far apart your water sources are, using the advice in the guide to hydration systems and water reservoirs.
Reaching camp and picking a site
Aim to arrive with at least two hours of daylight left. A good site is flat, already used if possible, and away from the risks above and below you. Look up for dead branches, and avoid low hollows that can collect cold air or fill with water when it rains. Camp well back from lakes and streams. Local rules often specify a distance, and following them protects the water for everyone.
Then work through a fixed order: pitch the tent, lay out the bedding, change into dry clothes, get water, cook. Doing it in this order means you still have shelter if rain arrives while dinner is cooking. Keep the headlamp within reach before it gets dark, and read the guide to headlamps and flashlights if you are unsure what to carry. Store food the way the area requires, particularly in places with bears or other wildlife, and pack out all of your rubbish.
The night and the morning after
Expect some odd noises and a less than perfect sleep. It is normal, and it improves with practice. A few small habits help a lot: eat something before bed, sleep in dry clothes, keep tomorrow's layers inside the bag with you, use the toilet before you zip up and leave a vent open to reduce condensation. In the morning, shake out the tent, pack the sleeping bag first so it stays clean and check the ground around you for anything left behind. Your goal is to leave a site that shows no sign of your stay.
Rehearse before you go
A small rehearsal removes most first trip problems. In the week before, do the following once each:
- Pitch the tent in a yard or park, including the guylines and pegs, then pack it again.
- Boil water on the stove outdoors and time how long it takes.
- Walk for an hour with the fully loaded pack.
- Check that the first aid kit, map and headlamp are where you think they are.
- Send your route and return time to someone who will notice if you do not check in.
When you are ready for the full gear list, use the camping and hiking gear checklist and remove anything that does not apply to one night. After the trip, write down what you never used and what you wished you had. That short note is worth more than any shopping list.
