Backpacking!
 

A girlfriend and I are going backpacking this weekend near Tucson. I've been camping plenty of times, but never backpacking. Any tips? We're going for two nights. I'm not sure if we're bringing a tent. I'm afraid to ask. What kind of food is good for backpacking?

A tent would be good.

As for food I would pack a few club sandwiches. They're tasty, filling and the frilly toothpick will keep the triangular slices together during the hike.

I think Tref has it covered

Take a gun or a knife and find your own food.

Tents are good for storing stuff or hiding from Kevy.

In most sporting shops, you can find ready-to-cook meals that are freeze-dried, so they're light-weight. Reconstitute with a bit of water, cook in a small pan/pot over a fire and voila! Instant backpacking gourmet. Most of it is really yummy too. I have some friends who swear by them on backpacking trips.

I prefer to hire a caterer for my backpacking trips.

Escalators come in handy as well.

Beef jerky. Trail mix. Isn't that what you're supposed to bring? And a hat (although not to eat.)

Pack light. You won't have showers, so you're going to be kind of stinky anyway.

Take a water filter rated for giardia, or buy iodine water purification tablets so you can have drinkable water without getting any nasty illnesses.

I second the freeze-dried meals. They're lightweight and generally pretty tasty. The price can add up though. Have a way to secure your food that will keep it out of reach of scavengers. In a bag with a rope over a tree branch usually works unless you have to worry about big bears, which I don't think you do near Tucson.

Let someone know where you are going and when they should expect you to check back in, just in case something happens along the way. Take a basic backpacker's first aid kit with you.

Don't forget to pack out what you pack in. Take a big resealable bag to store your trash.

I'll second the first aid kit. We've used ours over and over again camping and off roading.

We also have a package of biodegradable wet knaps. No, it's not a shower. But sometimes you need a little refreshing here and there and they're better then nothing - and fresher then using a wash cloth and water over and over again. Small and compact too.

a good camping knife. the best hiking shoes you can afford. a reliable way to start fires. a magnesium starter is a good choice. a good reliable light source. rechargeable flashlight or the like.

Is this the first time for your friend, too?

Lightweight backpacking tents are very expensive and still add to your load considerably. Since you're out in AZ I don't think you'll need it. Make sure your sleeping bags are good enough for the low temps you'll be seeing.

And if you use a magnesium starter, make sure you've practiced with it before you leave.

I'll second what everybody else has said and add:

Take a map of the area, preferably topographical with marked trails. And a compass or GPS. Learn how to use the compass or GPS and map.

Comfortable shoes, thin "liner" type of socks (not nylon), thick padded socks. This combo will help prevent blisters. The liner socks wick away moisture (polypropylene is best) and move with your skin to reduce friction. The padded socks provide cushion and comfort. The comfortable shoes should be worn in, not brand new. If you buy new shoes wear them for a week everywhere you go.

Make sure your first-aid kit has moleskin. Use it on "hotspots" if you do start to form blisters.

LOL...yes, indeed.

a little magnesium goes a long way

If they're backpacking in AZ, I'm not sure open fires will be an option.

tracilicious, you should check on the restrictions of the area where you'll be backpacking and also be aware of any ranger warnings regarding wildlife or weather conditions.

Also, if you take disposable wipes, those should be packed out as well.

Fires aren't usually restricted until Summer here.

My friend is an experienced backpacker. But we haven't had a great deal of time to plan this and her phone is on the fritz.

These are good suggestions, thanks guys.

I don't think freeze dried foods are for me. I'm vegetarian and really prefer fresh food. Wet wipes, definitely.

Fresh food takes up a lot of space and weight. Dried fruit is a good compromise...

How much ground are you planning to cover in the hiking?

Is it something like hike in 7 miles, camp in the same spot for two nights then hike back out or more like a 10 mile per day grand loop tour of some area?

That would effect how much you might want to compromise on the fresh food thing. But one thing I would recommend even if you want to avoid heavily processed food is a trip somewhere with a good dry bulk selection (like Whole Foods). Consider dishes that you can premix all of the dry ingredients then just cook in water. I've done a lot of good pasta and stew dishes where I put all of the dried ingredients and seasoning in Ziploc bags at home then just add water for cooking.

I'm not sure. I think we're hiking a loop. As far as fresh food goes, I'm going to bring a cucumber, a few apples, and an avocado. Otherwise we're doing things like oatmeal and pasta and such (I just found all this out). I'm definitely bringing granola and dried fruit.

Though the idea of sleeping under the stars definitely appeals to me, the idea of bugs walking on my face while I sleep does not.

Just be sure to check inside your shoes for critters before you put them back on in the morning.

If you were going for more than a loop I'd recommend you leave the cucumber and apples at home. They're basically just bags of water. As it is though I'm sure it wouldn't be a hardship.

I am happy to report that we are bringing a tent!

Backpacking was amazing! We did 16-17 miles total in Bear and Sabino Canyon. I'm not sure I've ever been this sore. We pushed pretty hard and it was hot! A very close encounter with a rattlesnake added some excitement to the trip. So much fun!!! Pics are on facebook and myspace.

just saw the pics. what an absolutely fantastic looking adventure. kudos to the two of you!