Exploring new wild places by foot or by horse is an amazing way to reconnect with nature, see breathtaking sights, slow down and decompress. Many first-time visitors are caught off guard at how different the Wilderness experience is than visiting, say, a National Park. Wilderness demands humility and the forgoing of convenience, and its essential to be prepared with the right gear and knowledge.
Here are some important steps to take as you prepare to head into the backcountry. Please keep in mind that this is just a starting point! Pick your route. Always contact the Forest Service to confirm current trail conditions and with any questions on specific trails or campsites. See more tips on choosing your route below. Pick your campsites. Be bear prepared. The Bob provides great habitat for both grizzly and black bears. Review safe bear country practices before you go.
Be prepared to hang your food at night and whenever you leave camp, and carry bear spray. Know safe stream crossing techniques. Know what to do with your waste. Carry out all of your garbage, including food waste. Click here and here for more information on properly disposing waste. Break in your new hiking boots before you go. Blisters are the worst!
Wear your boots on a few short hikes before a big trip. Pack a blister kit with band-aids, tape, moleskin, etc. Review basic backcountry First Aid treatments and bring a GPS device that can send an alert out in case there is an emergency and you need an evacuation. Plan to filter your water. And trust us, you do not want giardia.
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Bring a water filter to treat your water before you gulp it down. Plan your meals. Overpacking food is one of the most common backpacking mistakes. Gastro Gnome is a great local Montana-based company making actually tasty dehydrated meals for the backcountry. RightOnTrek is another great local company who offer quality backpacking meals β or they can design a whole backcountry menu for you!
