What Is Backpacking – Who Is Someone Called A Backpacker

So, what is backpacking?

Backpacking can be described as an independent, often international, low-budget way of travelling. Someone who backpacks is called a ‘Backpacker.’

Backpackers generally travel for a longer period of time than most other tourists, and they tend to travel in several different countries during their time away. The number of countries differs.

A backpacker can be on the road from a few weeks to several years. However, that is the short way of describing it.

What is Backpacking?

Backpacking is a very loose definition. There are backpackers who go tramping in the forests sleeping in tents and on the beach, and hitchhike their way around the world.

And there are those who backpack with roller-bag suitcases, sleep in hotels and rent a car to get around a country. These are two completely different types of traveling, but they both like to call themselves backpackers.

You can however separate these into 3 different backpacking genres if you like:

• Ultralight Backpacking
• Flash packing
• Backpacking RTW Travel

The two later ones are newer styles in ways of backpacking.

Difference between backpacking and hiking

There is a difference if someone says they are going backpacking versus hiking. 

You are considered to be hiking when you are walking for a long period of time. You may drive somewhere scenic to go hiking while traveling. Or around your home, you may hike within a local park. Many people enjoy hiking in forest preserves and national parks. 

When you hike, you walk for long periods but that is relative to the person. You can take a mile hike or a 10-mile hike. When hiking, you will likely bring water and a small daypack for emergencies. This may include a first aid kit and snacks.

Backpacking is different than hiking.

When you backpack, you are literally carrying a backpack on your back.

As an example, people backpack while hiking down the Grand Canyon.

They will spend the night at the bottom and then hike back up with their backpack. They will need to carry their food, water, emergency supplies, and sleeping gear  — all in their backpack.

You can go backpacking for an overnight or for up to months at a time while traveling throughout a country or countries. 

So while both involve walking, there is a difference between backpacking and hiking.

What does it mean to be a backpacker?

Think of a “backpacker” as someone who is traveling with a backpack.

This is a person who is taking a vacation or traveling for whatever reason but instead of carrying a suitcase and luggage, is carrying everything in a backpack. 

A backpacker is likely someone who would be staying in a hostel rather than in a hotel.

They will be more likely to take public transportation and walk than to rent a car.

Backpacking is considered to be an inexpensive way of traveling.

Source : aswetravel.com