Thanks for checking out the blog. The photos on this post are my first introduction to backpacking back in 2016. Me and three of my friends signed up for Women in the Outdoors Fall Retreat at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. The backpacking class introduced us to basic needs for backpacking and sparked an interest in us. In a later post, I will detail how the spark turned into an flame on a later backpacking trip to Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas, then turned to an ember and burned us out on trail camping. After the Devil's Den trip, we starting reseaching slackpacking.
Hopefully, I will share some helpful information that will encourage you to get out there and hike. This blog is primarily for people interested in Slackpacking. If you think slackpacking is easy just because the word slack is in it? I'm here to tell you that there is more to it than you think. A little bit of planning and common sense is all you need to invest into having a successful hike. The biggest challenge in slackpacking is getting transportation to and from the trailheads to start and end each day's hike. The best part of slackpacking is that while a camper is busy setting up camp, a slack packer is walking out of the woods for the finer things in life: hot shower, nice meal and a cozy bed.
In the Women in the Outdoors backpacking class, we each tried on the 30 pound backpack. It was amazing that it didn't feel that heavy. Of course it wouldn't, I only carried it about a half a mile in the class.
Our instructor showing us the proper use of trekking poles.
Our instructor demonstrating all the straps and adjustments on the backpack. Whew! The backpack mechanics is a class in itself. Funny story about problems I experienced with my daypack to come in a later post on a group hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Do you feel a spark for more information about getting started? If you want some hands-on instruction and direction on getting started in more outdoor activities, I highly recommend attending a womens' outdoor retreat. Check out these organizations on Facebook:
-Women in the Outdoors - Tenkiller State Park - If you attend this retreat, before you leave to head home stop for a burger at The Deck at Cookson. Yum!
-Becoming an Outdoors-Woman: Oklahoma (or find the one in your state)
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