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Solitude vs Socializing: Which is Better for Backpacking?
Many people who have gone on backpacking trips have done it to learn more about themselves – they want to get out into the world, into nature; they want to discover who they are by bringing themselves and only themselves into the world with them. But not everyone takes this approach. Some people take a friend or travel in groups, and find that backpacking trips can be just as transformational and life-changing that way. So which way is better, and which way should you approach your backpacking trip? Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Going Solo
Advantages: Going solo is a big investment in your personal growth. By exposing yourself to the world with you and your wits, and nothing else, you literally force yourself to become more independent. You grow up a little. And you learn that you can meet challenges that you didn’t think you were capable of overcoming. Many people go solo simply because it provides this amount of self-discovery.
Disadvantages: Going solo can be great for the above reasons, but it also has its dangers. If you get lost in the wilderness, there’s not much you can do to get back home without a good amount of technology. You can also run into trouble if you find yourself in need of a few friends because someone wants to pick a fight. You’re on your own; sometimes it works for you and sometimes it can work against you.Going with Friends
Advantages: Going with friends can add a buffer against some of the dangers of backpacking, giving you support when you need it and help when no one else would otherwise be there. Bringing friends along on a backpacking trip also has the benefits of giving you a shared experience; it’s one thing to view the stars over your head while a fire burns by yourself. It’s another thing when you and your friends can share that story forever.
Disadvantages: Having a buffer is great. But it can also handicap you. If you’ve never been by yourself before, perhaps that’s exactly what you need. Being on your own can build independence and self-reliance, while bringing your friends would only buffer you against from those kind of personal growth experiences.
What type of backpacking sounds good to you? Ultimately, of course, it’s up to you. But if you know what you want to get out of your backpacking trip – personal discovery or simply some good times – you have a head start and know which way to lean.
Photo Credits: justinjohnsen
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To RV or to Tent?
If you’ve been planning a camping trip and struggling with the question of exactly how much “civilization” to bring with you into the woods, you’re not alone. One of the most crucial questions parents will face when planning a trip into the great outdoors is whether or not they’ll spring for the luxury accommodations of an RV or even a cabin, or embrace the challenge of a more rustic camping experience.
Here is a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
RV:
Advantages: The advantages of an RV are obvious – get a good enough one, and your “camping” trip can still get 200 channels. RV reduces the need to really “settle in” to the wild, while still giving you access to nature since it’s just a few steps away. Many families enjoy getting an RV because of pure convenience, as it allows you to forget the tents and simply get out there and drive.
For those of you who consider yourself city slickers, renting an RV might be an ideal choice to get your feet wet and adjusted to the whole camping experience.Disadvantages: Cost. RV’s can be expensive, and there’s always a financial price to pay when it comes to those luxury items you can’t afford to live without. You have to consider the crucial question of “money spent, or convenience lost,” in order to ask yourself if you’re an RV or a tent family.
Tents
Advantages: Many people feel like you aren’t actually camping if you bring your house with you, and an RV does that in a way. The tent experience, however, gives you access to nature itself, letting you build your own site in the woods and living off of the land for a couple of days (or, at the very least, living off of the local convenience store). Tents are also low-cost compared to RVs, even if you acquire tents that do most of their setting up by themselves.
Disadvantages: What you gain in your checkbook, you lose in convenience, as you simply can’t bring a bed with you to your tent. You also can’t have running water or a bathroom, and if you have a lot of kids, this can turn into a problem quickly. Many people are willing to embrace these challenges as part of the “outdoor” experience, but to others, that sounds like a rationalization for being a cheapskate.
Now that you’ve had a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option, it’s time to ask yourself what kind of camper you might be. Remember, there’s only one way to find out if you’re right: try out one of these options!
Photo Credits: blmurch
