Do backpackers backpack?

 Traditionally, backpackers strive for the most budget-friendly solutions. They actively use public transport, spend the night in inexpensive hotels, and avoid the services of intermediaries. These people start every morning with an omelet at a restaurant recommended by their favorite LP (popular guidebook). While eating, they do not let go of this book from their hands. But after breakfast... It is logical to assume that after breakfast backpackers go backpacking. But it's not that simple.

The term backpacking (backpacking) on ​​the English-language Internet is much more often used to refer to the activities of ordinary hikers. Yes, yes, It turns out that going on a multi-day hike with a backpack and a tent is not crazy, but backpacking.

This type of recreation differs from hiking (hiking), that you carry everything on yourself, in a backpack, and don’t rely on shelters and food stores. A man with a huge backpack behind his shoulders looks very impressive. Size matters, but... Sooner or later you realize what you're carrying There’s a lot of unnecessary stuff and you’re torturing your shoulders (as well as your back, knees and other organs) completely in vain. And then you throw out everything unnecessary, saw off half a toothbrush, sew yourself an awning instead of a tent and become an easy walker. And your vacation is now called Ultralight backpacking.

And when you get tired, you can also do trekking. That's cool too. Although, in essence, it is no different from ordinary hikes.

I hope you already understand that I didn’t want to clarify anything with this article. On the contrary, my goal was to confuse you a little in the variety of terms modern tourism. Was it successful?

Kirill Yasko.
March 13, 2009