Backpacking Trip Example

Backpacking, with a Twist

Some people pack ultralight. Me? I pack delightfully weird.

Yesterday, after hiking a stretch that felt like straight-up stairmaster training, I plopped down on a boulder, pulled out my iPad cover, and used it as a makeshift stand so I could read while munching trail mix. High-tech meets high-altitude.

By the time we made camp, I was smelling… well, very outdoorsy. A quick swipe of deodorant felt like hitting the reset button. My friends may have applauded—it’s hard to tell if they were clapping or just trying to wave the smell away.

Dinner stole the show. We cobbled together flatbread, cheese, and sauce, and suddenly camp turned into an open-air pizzeria. And yes, someone (okay, me) actually whipped out a pizza cutter to serve it up. Nothing says wilderness like clean slices under the stars.

Minimalism? Overrated. My pack may be odd, but it makes for a five-star campsite experience.