If this is your very first expedition into the mysterious world of backpacking, be excited. You will shortly embark on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Great writers like Thoreau and Emerson advocated the simple an natural existence that backpacking offers, but why? What is it about this experience that affected them so strongly? Let's explore a few of the reasons people love backpacking so very much.
It offers a different view of nature. Ultimately when you are backpacking, it shows you how indifferent nature is to your presence. No matter what you do, you cannot change the weather, or the sunset. You realize just how small you are compared to the world. This perspective helps you clear your mind and appreciate the value of life.
You get to see a little something special. Backpacking permits you to get deeper into a park or recreation area, it frees you from the crowds and allows you go beyond the tourist level. You can see wilderness undisturbed and realize the beauty and value of nature in its most basic form.
You can appreciate the quiet. In the back country you can get away from the constant noise and bustle of modern life. Away from the stresses and speed of motorized transport and technology, you are better able to appreciate the true essence and nature of life. It offers a chance to realize that life isn't just about e-mails and twitter, but the serene and beautiful experiences of sight, smell, and sound.
You can leave the stress. Getting away is one of the goals of every vacation right? But how often do you go somewhere where you literally can't check your e-mail. It might not seem true at first, but sometimes getting outside the 3G network is a wonderful idea.
Feel accomplished. Remember when your mom told you that if it wasn't hard it wasn't worth doing? She was right. When you get out in the wilderness and live with just a sleeping bag or less, it proves you can do something difficult and build independence.
