What is Slackpacking?
Slackpacking is not a phrase that everyone may have heard of, but it is one that is worth becoming familiar with if you enjoy hiking and are considering embarking on a multi-day or long-distance hiking.
Slackpacking is essentially backpacking without carrying all of your gear on your back. You hike the trail carrying just your daypack, water and any essentials, whilst your main luggage is transported for you by someone else to your overnight location.
There are different versions of slackpacking, depending on where your overnight accommodation is. Some trails provide huts for sleeping in and you must provide food, pots, pans, cutlery, crockery and firewood, other locations require you to also bring along tents, sleeping bags and towels, etc.
It all depends on the trail you are hiking, but if you are slackpacking, everything is transported for you, by a third party, during the day, whilst you enjoy your hiking trail, whilst carrying as little as is essential.
What are the benefits of Slackpacking?
The biggest benefit of Slackpacking is obviously the benefit your body receives from not having to carry a large and heavy backpack. You will have more energy, your knees will thank you and you won’t have as many aches and pains at the end of each day.
Anyone of any age can benefit from Slackpacking. By carrying a light daypack, instead of 15kgs on your back, you will find trails less strenuous, are likely to cover more ground in a day and you will likely enjoy the trail even more, as you will have more energy and be less tired enabling you to look around more and soak in the nature surrounding you.