A Tribute To Backpacking – Why You Should Go

Hello my lovely readers, apologies for the lack of blog post last week! As it happens, I was away on a backpacking trek through Eastern Belgium with Robbert and two of our friends for the majority of the week. It was the last part of my summer holiday, and the one I looked forward to the most. Nothing makes me feel quite as alive as spending a few days in nature, away from the comforts of my daily routine in the modern world.

If you’re someone who loves longer hikes in nature, I’d like to strongly encourage you to go on a backpacking trip at least once in your life. Here’s why!

Unplug

There are few things I could do that are a bigger contrast to my normal life, which is largely spent behind my computer at home. If I feel the need to “get away from it all”, this is the way to go. Living without electricity and with limited phone signal is very refreshing every now and then, and if you ask me, there’s no better way to unplug than to head out into the wilderness with some great people. Hiking in beautiful mountains all day, cooking simple but delicious food on the fire, telling stories in the dark… It’s back to basics in the best way possible and will make you feel like a completely new person.

Rearrange Priorities

There’s something quite humbling about the intense minimalism of carrying everything you have on your back, including your food, water and shelter. When all you need to worry about is where you’re going to sleep tonight and whether you have enough drinking water left, completely surrounded by the great outdoors, little everyday troubles and “first world problems” suddenly seem very insignificant. It helps you get a clearer view of what’s truly important in life and re-evaluate your priorities.

I know it sounds rather harsh when put like this, but it really is a beautiful realisation and an amazing, freeing feeling. Keep in mind that the experience is voluntary and (if done right) safe, and as such, not at all frightening. It’s the closest thing to complete and utter freedom you can experience in modern-day Europe and it really helps you put things in a different perspective. Who could possibly worry about outward appearance, an unorganised closet or a less-than-perfect test score in a situation like this? For me personally, trekking for a few days works miracles on my anxiety.

Soak Up Nature

In our daily life we largely live separately from nature’s ever-changing conditions. We’re hidden away from any type of weather inside our buildings; with roofs and lightbulbs, heaters against the cold and aircon against the heat. Water always comes out of the tap, and we can buy any food we desire in stores year-round. We strive to make our conditions as constant as possible. This guarantees us a certain level of comfort and I greatly appreciate that, but sometimes it’s really nice to break out of it.

When you’re out and about 24/7, you notice and experience every little change in nature. From the ripening blackberries and deer tracks to the leaves slowly changing colour and the direction of the wind. When it rains, you get wet, but you can also see the streams and rivers become fuller and wilder. When the sun goes down, you get cold and sleepy. You get to experience the non-man-made world as it truly is, and it’s beautiful.

Move & Grow Stronger

I’m going to be honest here and hope this doesn’t put you off going backpacking yourself. The first few days are painful. My body isn’t used to walking all day long, and definitely not while carrying a 20kg backpack. The soles of my feet get compressed under the added pressure, my hips get bruised from the band on my backpack, and my shoulders feel like they could drop off any minute from the weight. After a couple of days however, usually around day three, you get used to it and your body starts adapting. The soreness goes away and I’ll feel stronger and more capable than ever. Added bonus: the backpack does actually get lighter as you gradually eat all the food you brought :)

On my first day back at the gym after returning from our trip, I was easily able to add 5-10 extra kg’s to all the machines I use. There’s definitely something to be said about breathing actual fresh air for a while, and I’ve read some reports that said actually just being in nature is good for physical and mental health. Honestly, on the way home, I felt both exhausted and as if I could take on the world. Or better still: like I could take on the world despite being exhausted.

Basically, what I’m trying to say here… Just try it. Pack a tent, sweater, some canned food and water, and head into the wild for a while. If you’re inexperienced, don’t wander too far away from little towns and villages and go at a time when the weather is mild, but go and enjoy it. It’s absolutely marvellous, and we should all do it more often.