Imagine the following scenario: three backpackers have set out on a 12-mile overnight hike in the Daniel Boone National Forest. They are hoping to find a place to camp along the Narrows section of the Rockcastle River. The morning is cool, but the sun is dazzling, and a torrential rain that had fallen the day before has caused the cliffs along the trail to weep waterfalls. Hearing the tumbling waters, the backpackers go off-trail and bushwhack down to the creek, proclaiming the catch pool at the base of the cascade a prime swimming hole for a future trip.
The group comes to a 30-foot falls and one of the backpackers slides along the cliff ledge to get a better photo. Eventually the river comes into view, and several in the group lament not bringing their fly rods with them. The dark pools along the bank are prime trout hangouts, and there’s no better eating on the trail than fresh fish.
The backpackers find a camping spot with a great view of the rapids and easy access to the beach, so tents are pitched,thermarest chairs are pulled out, and the group chills until time to make dinner.
In your mind, you are probably picturing young 20-something men trekking along the trail. In reality the three backpackers in this scenario are women, all over 50 years old.
I am a backpacker, and I am a woman. I’ve gone on many trips with all women, and even a few trips by myself, and I’ve never considered either a big deal. Yet people I’ve talked to seem surprised to find out that I’ve backpacked without men along. I recently ran into another female backpacker who enjoys backpacking in co-ed groups, but when she tried to organize an all-women backpacking trip “just to show women that they can do it,” all but one woman from a group of 8 cancelled on her at the last minute.
Why do some women think they can’t go backpacking without a man? Why does society in general think that a group of all-female backpackers is odd? Let’s look at what’s involved and see if there’s some important reason why women need to have men along on a backpacking trip.
1.You need the right gear. This is true no matter who you go with. If you don’t have certain necessary gear, borrow it from a guy. He doesn’t have to be there in person.
2.You need to be able to follow a map, or be familiar with the area where you’ll be backpacking. What makes women think they have to have a guy along to navigate through the woods when everyone knows that most men are directionally challenged?
3.You need to be able to set up your tent. Everyone should practice this at home before taking the tent into the woods, even men.
4.You need food and water.
5.You have to be willing to get dirty, knowing that you likely won’t be able to shower and wash your hair for several days.
6.You have to be willing to do your business in the woods.
That’s it. Is there anything on this list that requires manly wisdom or brawn? No.
I will concede, there are a few advantages to having guys along on a backpacking trip. Men are usually physically stronger than women, and at times that comes in handy. Plus, all of my male backpacking buddies are taller than me, which helps when you’re setting up a tarp. But extra strength and height are luxuries, not necessities.
Additionally, I’d like to point out one distinct disadvantage when backpacking with guys. They fart. All the time. On the trail, at camp, around the fire, overlooking a beautiful vista—guys just aren’t shy about expressing themselves through this pathway. Bring a guy along backpacking, and you up the group’s fart production dramatically. You might as well just pull their finger every five minutes or so and get it over with.
There is one thing I’ve observed that women do better than men on a backpacking trip. Women are better cooks. On my last all-women backpacking trip, our dinner consisted of tomato and cucumber salad with miso dressing, and fried falafel patties with fresh spinach on a thin sandwich bun. Dessert was cheesecake pudding topped with strawberries. If a guy had been responsible for dinner, we would have eaten a dehydrated meal from Mountain House or a couple of Clif bars. Which would you rather have?
I will acknowledge one thing: women are usually much less tolerant than guys when it comes to creepy crawlies. I’ve seen a woman refuse to go into her tent when she saw a spider inside. And I observed a woman grab her head and scream bloody murder because she discovered a tick that had attached itself to her back.
In summary, here are the differences between men and women backpackers:
Men: taller and stronger, more farting
Women: better food, more screaming
The bottom line for me is this: I love backpacking with my friends, both male and female, and it doesn’t really matter what combination of men and women go on the trip, as long as we're getting out there and doing it together. If the group who wants to go is all women, so be it. On top of being able to spend time with great friends, I know the food will be yummy.
In summary, here are the differences between men and women backpackers:
Men: taller and stronger, more farting
Women: better food, more screaming
The bottom line for me is this: I love backpacking with my friends, both male and female, and it doesn’t really matter what combination of men and women go on the trip, as long as we're getting out there and doing it together. If the group who wants to go is all women, so be it. On top of being able to spend time with great friends, I know the food will be yummy.
