Myanmar Backpacking Basics And Practice

By Pamela Roberts


Backpacking falls among outdoor recreational activities. Like the name suggests, people carry their gear in a backpack. The gear carried comprises of clothing, bedding, food, water, shelter and cooking kit. How long the activity lasts depend on the individual and can vary from a single day to several months. However, it must involve spending a minimum of one night outside for it to be called backpacking. Long trips involve regular resupply.

People are compelled by different reasons to participate in a backpack activity. While out there, the activities of good backpackers should impact the environment to the least level possible. Activities that help to minimize pollution include carrying garbage out, following existing trails, and causing no disturbance to the vegetation. In Myanmar backpacking is a culture that is well respected and valued by the locals. They adhere to the movement ethos in their activities while out.

The journey and activities of hikers are directed by the movement ethos. The movement ethos stipulates that backpackers should kill only time, keep nothing, leave only footprints, and take only photos. The individuals should be prepared to come across some level of difficulty during the quest. Difficulty comes in different forms including dangerous animals, heights, difficult terrains, adverse weather, and treacherous water crossings among others. Surviving the experience may require a survival gear and the necessary skills.

There are backpacking camps where backpackers may stay or spend time while on their conquest. Some of the things one may expect to find at such sites include wooden bulletin boards, maps, outhouses, and fire rings. The campsites are made in the form of level patches of ground without any underbrush. If the area is too remote, the backpackers may have to make their own place to camp.

Many pieces of equipment are needed for a successful backpacking experience. Like the name suggests, having a suitable backpack is mandatory. The backpack should be of the right size and strength. Besides the backpack, one should have suitable footwear and clothing to match the expected conditions. One must also carry food of the right amount and type and a sleeping bag. A survival kit is also needed plus the right level of skill.

A shelter may also be needed, but some backpackers dot not bring one. Other necessities such as water container, cook kit, and a means of purifying water may be needed. If the trip is short and confined to areas where food can be accessed easily, it may not be necessary to carry food. If one has to carry food, they carry it in ready-made form.

It is critical to observe the weight of the backpack in this exercise. The weight should not exceed a quarter of the weight of the individual carrying the pack. As such, a lot of scrutiny should be done to all items packed inside the pack. Although expensive, the modern market has a lot of lightweight gear to purchase.

Lightweight gear can be carried easily but still retains a high degree of utility and durability. Materials used to make such gear are many including lightweight alloys, carbon fiber, impregnated fabrics, and specialty plastics. The exercise of backpacking differs among countries, but many similarities exist among Western countries.




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