If you are like me you love to get outdoors any chance you get. To me there is nothing greater than grabbing my backpack and camera and hading off to hike and take pictures. However, if my backpack is full of junk it makes my back sore and keeps me from going as far into the woods as I would like.

You will need to take several things along with you when you go hiking, so don't ditch the backpack to save your back, just make sure that you only have the necessities which keeps your backpack ultralight.

Avoid Back Strain With Ultralight Backpacking

If you have a sensitive back, then you can forget about carrying around those large, heavy backpacks that you see some other hikers using. You need to make sure that you do not overdo it, especially if you are just getting into hiking.

This will leave you on the couch with health problems. It can be easy to start packing many things "just in case." However, when it comes to ultralight backpacking, you will need to exercise frugality.

The first thing you need to think about is where you plan on going hiking. Will it be in a rural area, or a wooded area that is near a city? The more rural the area, the more things you will need, so ultralight backpacking should be reserved for less rural areas. But still don't over-pack, even when backpacking in more remote areas.

The first thing that you will need is water. No matter what the climate is, you always run the risk of dehydration without it. A sports drink with glucose and electrolytes can also be great for hydrating your body. Choose a nylon backpack (it is sturdy and feels lightweight) with a special bottle holder on the side for this purpose.

This is where most people add too much weight by bringing their whole kitchen with them. What in the world do you need all of that food for.

Are you going to hike or eat? A couple of protein bars and a multivitamin pack should be all that you need for a days nutrition.

Another thing that you will always need to bring is your cell phone. Some people wish to get away from frequent calls, and if this sounds like you, simply turn your cell phone off while you are hiking.

If you get in trouble for any reason, it is very important that you have your cell phone ready, so that you can call for help. A cell phone easily fits into the ultralight backpacking scheme, since there are inside pockets in the backpack that can protect your cell phone.

When it comes to the other things that you might need for ultralight backpacking, you will need a map of the trail, as well as another pocket to store your car keys.

You might also want to take along mace (make sure you have a license!) for protection if you are going hiking alone. Ultralight backpacking is definitely the way to go, especially if you are an avid hiker like me. Nothing will keep you sidelined more than back problems so it is important to keep the weight on your back to an absolute minimum.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - The Importance Of Ultralight Backpacking

About the Author

Madison Greene loves the outdoors. There is nothing more enjoyable to her than grabbing her camera and heading off into the mountains to take some great nature shots. However, the weather in the northeast can get frigid in the winter, making it difficult to shoot. Madison has found the solution by wearing outdoor gear that will keep anyone warm, anywhere. Visit: www.OnlineOutdoorGear.com