What is New Age Backpacking?
New Age Backpacking is defined as a backpacking trip in which the participants choose, for their own reasons, to slow down, cover less territory, and enjoy the scenery while still having a quality experience that is not dependent on mileage or elevation gain. It is a term coined by a close friend of mine and myself while hiking the Bob Marshall Wilderness in 2011. We had planned on a 50+ mile, seven day loop that would take us from the trail head over mountain passes scattered with high alpine lakes and through dense forests and open meadows. Unfortunately, our plan was cut short when the area we had planned to hike take caught fire while I was en route to Missoula. At first we were a little bummed out, seeing as though we had spent a considerable amount of time planning our route. But backpackers have to be resilient and adapt to the circumstances that Mother Nature permits them, so we decided to cut the distance of our trip down considerably, hike to a quiet spot, establish a base camp, and spend our time bagging unnamed peaks, bushwhacking, swimming, and enjoying our nightly allotted amount of whiskey. We decided that we would rather spend our time relaxing and enjoying our surroundings rather than walking 10+ mile days and, as a result, the term new age backpacking emerged. We haven't looked back since.
The Rules of New Age Backpacking
The rules of New Age Backpacking are ever changing. Nonetheless, the following rules must be applied for your trip to truly be considered "New Age."
- Whatever the trip plan is, do half of it or less A trip that averages 8+ mile days is not New Age. It's also expected that you throw in, at the bare minimum, at least one very short day (3-4 miles will suffice). However, it should be noted that longer mileage days on the way in and out are acceptable.
- Minimum of 1/4 liter of whiskey per person per day New Age Backpacking is all about excess in all its glory, but especially when whiskey is concerned. 1/4 liter of whiskey per person per day may sound like a lot at first, but remember, you're not going to be spending each waking day walking mile after mile after mile, and at least one of those days will be spent at your base camp, so you might as well spend your free time with your dear ol' friend Jim. Which leads us to rule number 3...
- Set up at least one base camp, and get your drink on There is nothing better than to wake up in your tent knowing that you don't have to pack up all your belongings and move to a new location. Especially when your current one is remote, crowd free (hopefully your drinking the previous night scared away anyone who was foolish enough to camp near you) and picturesque. It's even sweeter to follow that feeling with a big breakfast and a few cups of coffee before packing your day pack for a fun day of bushwhacking, peak bagging, and general debauchery. Returning to camp is the best feeling of all, knowing that everything is set up, and all you have to do is have eat more (which by this point, you're kinda tired of food after a huge lunch) and, well, drink whiskey.
- Practice situational awareness at all times and in all situations It's not easy to define, but you'll know what it is when the situation demands it.
- Take as many breaks on the trail as you want If you hear someone say "Good job, we hiked almost a full mile" or "Wow, look at that view," that's probably an indication that it's a good time for a break. Breaks should be taken frequently while backpacking to enjoy the views, hydrate, and eat to keep energy levels up. But they should be taken even more frequently when you're New Age Backpacking. There's just something fun about dropping your pack in the middle of nowhere and just hanging out, especially when you're off trail and there is absolutely no chance of seeing another human being.
- Trim your baseweight down so you can carry more Just refer to rule number 2; no further explanation should be necessary.
- Carry things you may or may not even intend to use It's not really New Age unless you carry something you never use. While this is almost always more circumstantial than intentional, it can and does apply to both instances. For example, you may carry a tent for the duration of your trip and never use it due to fabulous weather and bug-free conditions. Or you may bring too much food. Regardless, it's both fun and New Age to complain about all the things you've carried up thousands of feet mile after mile.
- Find a route and double the amount of time a normal backpacker would take to complete it Seriously, what's better than a short 3-day long-weekend backpacking trip? Taking that same trip and turning it into a 6-day backpacking affair. Want a longer trip? No reason to add more miles when you can just as easily (actually, it will be much easier, and more fun) walk fewer miles. The end result is more time in camp, but to make the most of it, but sure to do the math correctly in step 2.
New Age Backpacking Photo Gallery
Living proof that New Age Backpacking is more fun than the way you pack...enjoy your eight hours of hiking and going to bed before the sun goes down while we play frisbee, eat like kings, and warm ourselves with whiskey by the fire (assuming fires are within the rules where we are camping).
Your New Age photos
You like to New Age? Prove it. Post your New Age stories down below. Send us your New Age photos - we'll post them here and see once and for all who can New Age it harder...