17 Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid – Bearfoot Theory

Embarking in your first backpacking journey might be an empowering, enjoyable, and adventurous expertise, nonetheless, the path to changing into a seasoned backpacker is commonly paved with a couple of avoidable missteps.

I began backpacking in 2005, and my first few backpacking journeys didn’t go easily. My first time was close to Mt. Rainier in Washington, and once we bought to the trailhead, I noticed I forgot my mountain climbing boots. Not eager to drive all the way in which dwelling, I ended up mountain climbing in Chacos your entire time. Needless to say, my ft have been a bloody mess by the top of the journey. We additionally didn’t pack sufficient meals, and I used to be ravenous the entire time.

Another time in 2007, my associates and I took an early season journey in California’s Emigrant Wilderness. A pair miles in, we discovered the path coated in snow, with the entire path indicators being damaged in half. Despite not having a map or GPS, we haphazardly determined to hold on. We bought utterly off monitor and had no concept the place we have been. Twenty-four hours later after tenting close to some unknown lake, we have been post-holing our means up a snowy hillside once we randomly stumbled again on the path.

The errors I made on these early backpacking journeys taught me a number of beneficial classes to the way to be secure and have a extra pleasurable time on future journeys, together with the 22 nights I spent on the John Muir Trail.

Below I share the commonest newbie backpacking errors so you possibly can hit the path feeling assured – and make sure you don’t make the identical rookie errors as I did!

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1. Overpacking

Overpacking is a standard newbie backpacking mistake that may – fairly actually – weigh you down and make you depressing. You’ll possible be carrying 20-30+ kilos in your again, which is hard sufficient with out including pointless gear.

Here I listing a number of the gadgets newbie backpackers convey that you just don’t want:

For an inventory of what it is best to convey, try my 3-day backpacking packing guidelines.

2. Wearing Impractical Clothing

Backpacking isn’t the time to fret about what your garments seem like. You ought to select operate over trend and put on clothes that’s going to wick sweat and defend you from the solar and different parts.

Here are some ideas for selecting the best backpacking clothes:

For extra ideas particularly for ladies, learn my submit on What to Wear Hiking.

3. Packing Heavy Car Camping Gear

While automobile tenting gear might be luxuriously comfy, it’s not designed for carrying over lengthy distances. I discovered this the arduous means on a solo backpacking journey in 2016 in New Zealand the place I backpacked with my ultra-heavy automobile tenting cookware – because it was all I had with me. The weight and bulk of these things drastically impacted my potential to maneuver rapidly and comfortably on the path.

Investing in backpacking-specific gear can enormously cut back your pack weight and enhance your enjoyment on the path. Key gear items to deal with are your tent, sleeping bag, backpacking pack, sleeping pad, and cookware which contribute essentially the most to your general weight.

While these large gear gadgets might be expensive, it’s price investing in high quality gear that’s light-weight and sturdy. High-quality gear will final for years and can make your time on the path far more nice.

Here are my light-weight backpacking gear suggestions. With these ideas, your large ticket gadgets may weigh as little as 8 lbs 2 oz. If you’re backpacking with one other individual, you may break up a few of these gadgets as much as cut back your load even additional.

If you’re seeking to save on a few of these large ticket gadgets, maintain an eye fixed out on gross sales at REI and take a look at REI’s Used Gear website for giant reductions on frivolously used gear, a few of which is like new. You can be taught extra in regards to the REI Used Gear program right here.

4. Not Bringing a Pee Rag

This tip is particular to ladies. When I hiked the John Muir Trail again in 2014, I didn’t find out about pee rags. Instead for 22 days, I dripped dry, and even with the entire swimming I did, I felt fairly disgusting.

After that journey I found the utility of a pee rag. You can use any fast dry towel to wipe after peeing, however I like to recommend shopping for a Kula Cloth, which is the preferred model of pee rag. It has a “clean” aspect that you just maintain on to and a “dirty” aspect that you just wipe with. The soiled aspect is ultra-absorbent and made with an antimicrobial cloth. After you’re finished, you possibly can rinse it off, fold it in half with the button, and clip it to the surface of your pack.

Bringing a Kula Cloth backpacking not solely helps ladies keep good hygiene within the backcountry, it additionally reduces the necessity for lavatory paper which it’s a must to pack out. Once you strive a pee rag, I promise you’ll by no means return.

5. Not Testing Your Gear Before Your Trip

Familiarizing your self along with your backpacking gear earlier than you hit the path permits you to perceive how every bit capabilities, troubleshoot potential points, and make sure that every little thing is in working order.

Imagine reaching your first campsite solely to appreciate you’re not sure the way to assemble your tent, or worse, discovering a malfunction in your backpacking range if you’re prepared to arrange a much-needed meal.

These conditions might be simply averted by taking the time to arrange your tent in your yard, testing your range to verify it really works correctly, or training utilizing your water filter to make sure you understand how it really works.

6. Not Packing Enough Food

On my first backpacking journey, my mountain climbing companion was chargeable for planning and packing our meals, and he grossly underestimated our appetites. We shared a small portion of pasta for dinner and went to mattress with grumbling tummies.

When backpacking, you’re burning a big quantity of energy every day – far more than throughout your common day-to-day actions and even day mountain climbing. It’s vital to search for the estimated calorie necessities for backpacking, which may vary from 2,500 to 4,500 energy per day relying on elements like your weight, the issue of the path, and the climate situations.

To meet these excessive caloric wants with out including pointless weight to your pack, it is best to guarantee your meals is calorie-dense. Pack a wide range of snacks (try our favourite mountain climbing snacks right here!) as a result of belief me – you’ll get bored with consuming the identical protein bar day after day.

As a newbie backpacker, sticking to pre-made backpacker meals is a simple method to portion out your meals – convey one backpacker meal per individual per dinner. Don’t be fooled by the “2 person” label discovered on most backpacker meal packages – I can simply eat a two-person backpacker meal on my own after a protracted day of mountain climbing.

For suggestions on tasty backpacking meals, try my submit on my favourite light-weight, plant-based backpacking meals.

It’s equally vital to not overpack meals, as this provides further weight to your pack (meals is without doubt one of the heaviest stuff you’ll carry!) and may make your journey extra strenuous. Before you allow in your journey, lay out your meals and snacks to get an concept of how a lot meals you’re bringing.

7. Not Checking The Weather Forecast

Failing to test the climate can result in a completely depressing expertise at finest, or at worst, a probably harmful one. Always test the climate forecast earlier than heading out on the path, or higher but, name the closest ranger station to get essentially the most up-to-date data.

It’s vital to analysis your vacation spot completely and perceive what climate and situations you could encounter to make sure you pack appropriately and are ready for a secure and pleasurable journey.

Nothing can minimize a visit brief sooner than painful, blistered ft. Wearing brand-new mountain climbing boots in your journey with out breaking them in first can result in discomfort and blisters, so it’s important to put on them on some hikes forward of your journey.

During the break-in interval, take note of any “hot spots” the place your boot could also be rubbing as that is the place blisters are prone to kind. Make positive to put on thick mountain climbing socks (I’m keen on Darn Tough) and produce alongside some bandaids or moleskin to handle these scorching spots earlier than they change into a difficulty.

Wearing mountain climbing boots or footwear which are too small can be a standard newbie mountain climbing mistake. Your ft swell when mountain climbing, particularly in heat climate, so that you’ll wish to ensure you have slightly bit of additional area in these boots with out having a lot area that you just slide round. I like to recommend making an attempt in your mountain climbing boots with the socks you intend to hike in and ensure they don’t really feel tight if you stroll round.

I’ve been carrying Oboz mountain climbing boots for years they usually have by no means let me down – my favourite pair for backpacking are the Oboz Bridger B Dry Hiking Boots. They’re comfy, supportive, and waterproof so I really feel assured mountain climbing in any terrain.

You also needs to go for wool or artificial mountain climbing socks, as a substitute of cotton, as they wick away moisture and assist forestall blisters.

After a protracted day of mountain climbing, you’ll wish to give your ft a break by switching to light-weight camp footwear just like the Teva Trail Universal Sandal (that are additionally nice for water crossings!). But keep away from heavy sandals or footwear which add pointless weight to your pack.

9. Not Carrying Enough Water

A crucial newbie backpacker mistake will not be carrying enough water. Learning the way to forestall dehydration whereas mountain climbing is crucial since dehydration can result in decreased power, complications, or in extreme circumstances, heatstroke.

As a normal guideline, I like to recommend carrying a minimum of 2 liters of water. If you already know you’ll be surrounded by water sources (and don’t thoughts stopping to refill typically), you may get away with much less. If you’re backpacking in scorching climate or climates the place water isn’t simply accessible, plan to hold 3-4 liters.

I carry 2-3 of those light-weight 1L water bottles when backpacking. They’re good for carrying further water for longer, drier stretches of the path. When you’re not utilizing these water bottles, they simply roll up and take up virtually no room in your pack.

You’ll additionally want a dependable technique of water purification, and when attainable, choose campsites which have a water supply close by so you possibly can simply filter water for cooking too.

My favourite water filter is the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System as a result of it’s really easy to make use of. Rather than pumping water and getting a bicep exercise, you possibly can sit again and loosen up, letting gravity do the work.

10. Not Using Trekking Poles

Trekking poles might sound pointless and even nerdy at first look, however trekking poles have so many advantages! They cut back the affect in your knees and assist evenly distribute your weight, particularly throughout descents, which may help cut back the affect in your joints and forestall accidents.

They additionally present stability on the path when crossing uneven terrain or navigating stream crossings, particularly because you’re carrying a heavy load in your again that may simply knock you off stability. Once you strive backpacking with trekking poles, you’ll by no means return.

If you’re in search of a pair, these Black Diamond Trail Back trekking poles are an important choose – they’re light-weight, pack down small, and are adjustable so that they’ll match almost any measurement, plus they’re budget-friendly as well.

11. Not Doing Enough Research & Planning

Thoroughly understanding the path you might be about to deal with is an important a part of secure and profitable backpacking – and one that’s typically ignored by newbie backpackers.

First, make sure you search for allow necessities and any laws for the realm – many in style backpacking trails require permits that go on sale as much as a yr upfront. You’d hate to plan your journey and present up on the trailhead solely to appreciate you want a allow! Learn extra about the way to plan a backpacking journey right here.

Next, make sure you learn up on present path situations and potential obstacles to make sure a secure backpacking journey. For instance, there should still be snow on the path (as I described in my story earlier) or hazards like fallen bushes. To do that, search for path information on the corresponding state or nationwide park web site and search for current evaluations on a mountain climbing app. If there’s any uncertainty, name the native ranger station to get essentially the most up-to-date data on path standing and security considerations.

12. Not Bringing Maps & Preparing to be Without Service

Knowing the way to keep away from getting misplaced is crucial security tip for any backpacker. You ought to:

13. Not Charging Your Electronics

Imagine establishing camp the primary evening and realizing you forgot to cost your headlamp or swap out the batteries. Or hitting the path and realizing you didn’t totally cost your cellphone or GPS machine that you just plan on utilizing for navigation.

Make positive you cost your entire electronics together with your headlamp, cellphone, GPS machine (just like the Garmin inReach Mini I exploit), digital camera, and another gadgets it’s good to convey alongside.

If you suppose you’ll want extra energy, convey a small moveable battery pack like this BioLite Charge Power Bank.

14. Planning an Overambitious Route

Effective journey planning entails being lifelike about your mountain climbing skills. Overestimating how far you possibly can hike every day can result in exhaustion, damage, or operating out of meals and water.

It’s higher to plan for a low-mileage, beginner-friendly path on your first backpacking journey and deal with it as a “shakedown” journey to get ready and psyched for tougher and longer-mileage journeys.

For your first journey, I recommend a one-night journey. It will mean you can gauge your consolation stage and skills and take a look at your gear with out over-committing to an extended stint within the wilderness.

It additionally offers a manageable introduction to carrying your gear, establishing camp, and cooking outside with out overwhelming you with too many logistics.

Looking for a beginner-friendly path? Browse the entire backpacking journeys I’ve written about for inspiration.

15. Not Researching Wildlife Ahead of Time

When it involves backpacking, one widespread newbie backpacking mistake is failing to be correctly bear and wildlife conscious. Knowing the native wildlife will not be solely essential on your personal security but in addition for the well-being of the animals you could encounter alongside the way in which. There might also be laws concerning meals storage that it’s good to observe.

In bear nation, it’s important to know the right methods for storing meals. Most locations require you to use a bear canister or bear luggage to safe your meals.

Here are another ideas for backpacking in bear nation:

However, bears aren’t the one wildlife you ought to be conscious of. Depending on the area you’re backpacking in, you could encounter different animals like rattlesnakes, marmots, or different critters.

It’s essential to teach your self about these native inhabitants and discover ways to work together with them safely. For instance, at Havasu Falls, a bear canister or hanging your meals is now required as a result of squirrels and different critters will chew by way of your tent and backpack to entry meals. That truly occurred to us the primary time we went to Havasu Falls. We put our packs all the way down to go for a swim, solely to come back again to discover a rodent had gotten into our lunch.

16. Not Following Leave No Trace Principles

It’s vital for ALL backpackers (not simply newbies!) to brush up on the 7 Leave No Trace Principles earlier than heading into the backcountry. These ideas are a set of pointers that encourage sustainable and respectful out of doors practices designed to attenuate human affect on the pure atmosphere.

They cowl every little thing from correctly pooping outside and respecting wildlife to how to decide on a campsite. Ignorance or disregard of those ideas can result in littered trails, broken vegetation, wildlife habituated to human meals, and diminished experiences for future backpackers (or may even result in trails getting shut down).

Not following Leave No Trace could cause vital hurt to the attractive landscapes all of us take pleasure in. Therefore, it’s essential for all backpackers to familiarize themselves with and decide to LNT ideas, to make sure that our wild locations stay pristine for generations to come back.

17. Forgetting Emergency Supplies & Safety Plans

In the midst of the thrill of planning your first backpacking journey, don’t overlook an vital element of your planning: packing emergency provides and creating a security plan.

When it involves backpacking, carrying important emergency provides might be the distinction between a short lived setback and a harmful state of affairs. A well-stocked first help package ought to have a particular place in your backpack that’s simple to entry. Minor accidents can escalate rapidly within the wilderness, and fast care can forestall a manageable state of affairs from turning into an advanced one.

You also needs to have some method to begin a hearth – both with a lighter or waterproof matches. Fire can serve a number of functions on the path, from offering heat and cooking meals to being a supply of sunshine and a sign for assist.

Even within the period of GPS and smartphone apps, a conventional compass and bodily map of your mountain climbing space stay indispensable. They don’t depend on battery life or sign power and could possibly be your lifeline in the event you get misplaced. It’s an old-school method, sure, however one which has saved many seasoned hikers in unpredictable conditions.

Finally, it is best to at all times depart your backpacking plans with a trusted good friend or member of the family. Sharing particulars equivalent to your meant route, potential campsites, and estimated return time could make a big distinction in guaranteeing your security.

Don’t let these precautions daunt you, although! As you change into extra acquainted with backpacking, you’ll discover that these preparations change into second nature. They will serve to reinforce your expertise, not detract from it.

Remember, the purpose is to totally immerse your self in the great thing about the outside, safe within the data that you just’re ready for any eventuality. And belief me, with the precise prep, you’re in for an unforgettable journey!

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What newbie backpacking errors do you have got questions on? Are there any others you possibly can consider? Leave us a remark beneath!