Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping defined???

[JumpMaster Blaster]

Don't know if this has been addressed yet, but...

What are the definitions of hiking, backpacking, and camping? What are the differences?

My thoughts-

Hiking= going out for a day, walking a trail, speed immaterial, carrying minimal gear (maybe 1 or 2 meals & water), with the goal of going back home or to a basecamp at day's end. Extremely light loads.

Camping= (includes "car camping", tailgate party camping, maybe even RV "camping/glamping")- sleeping outside in the elements in any type of tent/tarp/hammock/bivy or structure not meant for permanent shelter & residence; where the majority of the travel distance from your starting (or dismount) point to your sleeping site is NOT by foot or pack animal. Usually very heavy loads you just unpack from a truck or car, etc.

BACKpacking= what most of us do. Leaving home, going to a trailhead, and carrying all your food & water & shelter on your BACK, for miles & miles & miles, setting up camp with everything you need for multiple days. Pretty much being self-sufficient without the ability to just hop in your car & run into town for supplies.

Does section hiking (or thru hiking) the AT whilst relying SOLELY on shelters fit this loose definition? Who knows?

I've come to describe "section hiking or thru hiking" on the AT as "backpacking". I felt the need to do this so my friends/family/coworkers actually realize I'm not just driving my truck to a campsite with a case of beer, a 7 pound tent, and a 2 burner stove when I go out.

To me BACKpacking means I'm carrying everything I need (for at least a few days) with me on my BACK.

What say you?

[Lone Wolf]

To me BACKpacking means I'm carrying everything I need (for at least a few days) with me on my BACK.

What say you?

thru hikers are just section hikers who have time and money to go walk for 3-7 months. every 3-6 days they go to a town, hang out for a day or 3 then go walkin' but they love to tell locals how tough they're havin' it on their vacation

[sympathetic joy]

For me:

Hiking is walking off the beaten/paved path.

Backpacking is hiking with a pack.

Camping is setting up a 'place' to reside for a short time that is outdoors. Whether it is in the woods or your backyard.

[fiddlehead]

To most people in the rest of the world, "backpackers" refer to people who travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.
They tend to be just out of college (generally) and travelling the world, often with an "around the world" airline ticket.
They read books like the "Lonely Planet" guides to traveling, stay in the same places (cheap) and eat at the same restaurants (again cheap is popular as they are on a budget)

I usually refer to what we, thru-hikers do as "long distance trekking" when talking to them or other world travelers.

Camping to me means sleeping out in a tent or even RV of some kind. (or just under the stars)

Hiking is walking in the woods, desert, or jungle. Hopefully in wilderness when we can.

[Feral Bill]

If you are sleeping outside, as under the stars or a tarp, or in a tent, you are definitely camping. In a fully enclosed box, like a cabin or RV, you are not. In an open trail shelter, opinions vary.

[winger]

Hiking is walking.
Backpacking is hiking with a load.
Camping is neither.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Hiking is just walking where it's okay to pee. Sometimes old people go hiking by accident. - Demetri Martin

[The Ace]

Is there a manual of definitions that I need to carry so next time I am out I can look up what I think I am doing and make sure that I am in compliance?

[CELTIC BUCK]

really??? does everything need to narrowed down ?

[Sarcasm the elf]

really??? does everything need to narrowed down ?

Well this IS the internet!

[The Ace]

Well this IS the internet!

Yep, where else you gonna learn the best way to exit your tent?

[Sarcasm the elf]

Yep, where else you gonna learn the best way to exit your tent?

Say what you will, I give that thread points for originality.

[kayak karl]

some camp to hike. others hike to camp. both may carry backpacks.

[rocketsocks]

Is there a manual of definitions that I need to carry so next time I am out I can look up what I think I am doing and make sure that I am in compliance?

just log-in here, we'll let ya know if your doin' it right. even if were wrong.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

Ahh, a simple discussion on the subtle nuamces of "backpacking" vs "hiking" vs "camping". I started th thread because I have friends that can't (or won't) differentiate bewtween the 3. They SAY they want to go "hiking" on the AT with me, but I don't think they REALLY know what they're asking for, so I want to explain the differences to them (so they don't get surprised when I expect them to HUMP thier gear 10-40 miles in).

[Mags]

Hiking is just walking where it's okay to pee. Sometimes old people go hiking by accident. - Demetri Martin

Love it!

[OCDave]

I play "catch" with my sons. The throwing is assumed.

If we go for a "hike" the backpacking and camping is assumed.

[RangerZ]

I make a walking/hiking distinction, hiking gets you somewhere, walking doesn't. I walked 40 miles over the 4 July weekend but ended up at the same place, home, all three nights.

[russb]

I make a walking/hiking distinction, hiking gets you somewhere, walking doesn't. I walked 40 miles over the 4 July weekend but ended up at the same place, home, all three nights.

Fascinating. I think of it as the opposite. For me walking is the destination, while hiking is the journey. When I walk to the store, I will take the shortest distance as getting to the store is the purpose. I may go to a park and hike around the lake to enjoy the scenery and the time in the out of doors.

To the OPs question. One can hike without camping, and one can camp without hiking, but one cannot backpack without both camping and hiking.

[slbirdnerd]

I don't feel the need to define it.