Not all backpackers are created identically. The call of the wild speaks to each of us differently. Are you the type of backpacker striving to complete the Triple Crown? Or maybe you wish to experience the beauty of a thru-hike without the time commitment. There is certainly nothing wrong with packing extra weight to sit by a lake or bringing along flip-flops for the hostel showers. Whatever your cup of tea, the beauty of traveling with nothing but the things you can fit in your backpack affords a type of freedom that other forms of travel do not. Below are some backpacker archetypes– which one speaks to you?
The Thru-Hiker
These types of backpackers devour miles for long stretches of time. Think the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail, to name a few. It’s not unusual for this bunch to endure 40 miles in a day or make use of their headlamps to cover ground in the night. They are often the first ones up in the mornings and the last ones to settle into camp at night. After being on the trail for long periods of time, they settle into a routine that would startle other packers on this list. Exhausted from the daily tent pitching, they may find themselves cowboy camping or draping the rainfly over their poles and calling it a night. The cravings for all sorts of nutrients will have them putting peanut butter on their sardines.
Thru-Hikers are truly a delightful, quirky clan of backpackers. I mean, you would have to be to pursue such a feat. In all of my travels, I have always had a blast getting to know the Thru-Hikers I meet. Learning about their motivations for starting on their journey. The life they are running away from or walking toward. Something about crossing state lines with nothing but your own two feet appeals to these backpackers. The feelings of pride that await them after accomplishing so many miles. The transformation into a rugged existence for prolonged periods of time speaks to these packers’ ambitions.
The Section Hiker
The Roan Highlands
Section Hikers are a toned-down version of Thru-Hikers. Just as delightful, but without the glow (and odor) that develops after so many weeks in the wilderness. Rather than tackling all 2197.4 miles of the Appalachian Trail, they will split it up into, well, sections. Maybe it’s a weekend jaunt through the Roan Highlands or a multi-day feat of the 100-Mile Wilderness. This kind of backpacking affords the balance of keeping a job whilst escaping into the wilderness for short periods of time. Some Section Hikers will plan to complete the infamous thru-hikes over the course of several years. Others prefer to explore the more remarkable sections, leaving the True Thru-Hikers to fare the rest.
Being the more non-committal of the thru-hike packer duo, Section Hikers reap some of the rewards of a thru-hike without the exhaustion or nutrient deprivation. They are like the fun aunt who comes to the party a little late, right in time for cake to be served. They add some sparkle and dazzle, and a fresh face and perspective, only to scurry out before the children get cranky and the tables need clearing. It’s difficult to compare the Thru-Hiker from the Section Hiker because they are searching for different things. Section Hikers are packers who value balance– they don’t need to uproot their lives to complete the entire trail when a section provides what they crave.
The Basecamp Backpacker
These guys are probably the chillest of the bunch. And I’m not talking Mount Everest or the pre-14er acclimation basecamping. I’m referring to the, finding an epic campsite somewhere in the wilderness to use as a home base for the time being, basecamping. This traveler may spend their trip day hiking the nearby trails or catching up on reading by a lake. Perhaps they will enjoy sunrise yoga and set back to camp for breakfast. Don’t mistake their laid-back approach for laziness, for these backpackers are anything but. What they lack in mileage, they make up for in weight. Books, journals, pens, an extra snack. With the understanding that camp won’t be packed up and carried out every day, these packers can afford the extra ounces. What better way to spend an extended weekend or weeklong holiday than drawing birds on a sketchpad? Or becoming temporary neighbors with the local fauna?
These packers prefer connection over distance. Quality over quantity. They pack a bag of tricks, opting for a 60-L pack for a 3-day trip, hoping the absence of food provides relief on the trek out. And you can always count on them to know the best spots to watch the sunset or enjoy a peaceful snack. I only recently became acquainted with this style of backpacking, and let me tell you– I am charmed. It perfectly combines the solitude of nature with the whimsicalness of day hiking.
The Weekend Packer
The Weekend Packer and the Multi-Day Hauler could be considered sub-categories of the above archetypes, but I figured both deserved their own spotlight. They are less intense than the packers we have met thus far. For the Weekend Packer, because their trip is 3 days at most, they can cut some corners to relieve pack weight. They may rewear the same clothes with only spare clothes for sleep. If the weather looks clear, the rain gear can stay behind. The Weekend Packer gets their feet dirty just enough to enjoy the outdoors without the full immersion. A night or two sleeping under the stars is satisfactory for these more minimalist packers. One should admire these packers. Rather than sleeping in, brunching with friends, or catching up on errands and home projects, Weekend Packers prefer spending their days off basking in the wilderness.
The chances of encountering a Weekend Packer in their habitats are greater during extended weekends. For those in the US, you could take your bets on Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends. When they’re not lucky enough to have a third day off, it’s not rare for them to camp out at the trailhead Friday night before setting off Saturday morning. Talk about heeding the call of the wild.
The Multi-Day Hauler
The Multi-Day Hauler requires more than just a weekend to satiate their craving for nature, but isn’t enticed by the grueling miles of a thru-hike. They’re more intense than the Weekend Packer, but less so than the Thru-Hiker. Unlike the Basecamp Backpacker, Multi-Day Haulers prefer deconstructing camp each morning to cover more ground.
This batch utilizes their vacation time not sunning on a beach or taking it poolside. Instead, they elect to have dirt trapped in their nails and blisters decorating their feet. Perhaps they want to spend a month exploring the backcountry of a National Forest. Or take a week to romp through a National Park. Who needs to feel relaxed when you can wake up to the birds and have a snack atop a mountain?
The Hostel Hopper
These individual backpackers deviate from the rest of the group in the setting of their adventures. Whereas the above backpackers lug their belongings through the backcountry, Hostel Hoppers explore the city. Forest Fairies, Desert Dwellers, and Mountain Men, meet the City Crawlers. Their wanderlust steers them toward vibrant urban centers, taking in the stories of the people over the whispers of the trees. They enjoy a regular shower — hot water not guaranteed — over freshening up with a splash of water and a glob of hand sanitizer. Trains, planes, or cars are their primary mode of transportation. Nearly every evening is greeted by a bed and a roof compared to a tent and an inflatable pad. They return from their travels having picked up a new language instead of rocks.
To a wilderness backpacker, this may seem like traveling in luxury. (You mean I don’t need to carry 5 days’ worth of food with me? Or find the sweet spot between a rock and my hip bones?) But make no mistake: these sorts of travelers must overcome a different set of challenges. These backpackers can be up against pick-pocketers, intra-species language barriers, NO VACANCY signs, and delayed modes of transportation. Beds can be lumpy, hard, or infested. They rely on the considerations of other travelers in their quarters. Both wilderness and urban backpackers must pick their poison to embark on their travels.
On A Spiritual Journey Traveler
Last, but not least, the backpackers who are on a journey toward self-discovery. Think Eat, Pray, Love, meets Wild. This is the individual who has just experienced a major life change, typically on the downside. An unexpected or nasty breakup, getting fired, or mourning a loss. Or maybe they had an epiphany that something major needs to change in their life. Either way, they are fueled by a demand for change and a desire to reconnect with themselves. And what better way to do that than roughing it with a pack and pushing the limits of comfort? These individuals are typically the least experienced of the bunch. They ride on the impulsivity of the choice to prevent a change of heart down the line. They know being untamed in the backcountry or a far-off land is exactly what they need in their life. But may lack the how.
I put this type of backpacker at the end because they can find themselves as a Hostel Hopper or a Thru-Hiker. Really, any of the above backpacker archetypes and the others I have missed. I admire the spiritual journey traveler because they recognize a need to build a relationship with the self. If you haven’t found yourself on the journey to build that relationship, I highly recommend it. It’s life-changing.
Closing thoughts
This is meant to be taken as a light-hearted post, not as a suggestion to place yourself in a category. Most backpackers will fit into two or a few of these archetypes, with each trip requiring its own theme. Plus, these types of backpackers are based on my own experiences and perspectives. If you have others to add, I would love to read them in the comments! I wanted to kick off the blog with a zany post that could spark some engagement. Of course, my audience is myself, but here is to hoping that changes.
Happy Trails!
