Backpacking is an exceptional way to experience the outdoors. Whether it be for hunting or camping, putting in a few miles with a pack can drastically reduce the crowds. Additionally, it lets one access nature areas that are still preserved in their natural state, virtually untouched by man. Accessing these pristine wilderness areas can seem daunting to those who haven’t backpacked before. Here are five common mistakes that new backpackers make and how to avoid them.
1. Packing Your Fears
First of all, one of the most overwhelmingly common mistakes I see with new backpackers is packing their fears. Whether that means bringing 3 sets of spare batteries for their headlamp or lugging an extra pound of butane for their camp stove, overpreparation can be too much of a good thing. Remember, in the backcountry sometimes less is more.
My rule of thumb on whether I should bring an item as a contingency plan is to think about the consequences if I were to go without that item. If there is a safety risk I’ll bring it, if not it stays at home. For example, my safety kit will come with me, because a serious injury without one could be very dangerous. On the other hand, you will virtually never catch me travelling with extra food. Sure, running out of food and getting stuck in the woods for an extra day is unpleasant. However, missing a hypothetical meal is not going to hurt me, so the added weight is not worth it for a ‘just in case’.
2. Poor Footwear
Next, another common mistake I see new backpackers commit is wearing inappropriate footwear. Candidly, I was guilty of this myself early on in my backpacking career, doing my first trip in Nike Free’s. Concerningly, the most aggregious example of this mistake that I’ve witnessed came from my brother. He decided to wear his new steel-toed boots on a 38km trip on Vancouver Island. When we returned to the boat dock for pickup, his socks were bloody and the skin on his feet came off with his socks! This serves to show that when backpacking your shoes and pack are the two most important pieces of equipment.
For a more in depth breakdown you can check my article on how to choose a hunting boot, as a lot of the recommendations translate well to backpacking. For a quick overview I would recommend picking a shoe that is at least as stiff as the Soloman Trail Runners and work your way up from there. Stiffer soles than running shoes protect your feet from walking with extra weight on uneven and rocky terrain. Invest in your experience and ensure you have appropriate footwear to enjoy the adventure.
3. Cutting Calories
Another common mistake I see backpacking beginners make is to try and start a diet while out on the trail. This is an easy mistake to make. Modern culture bombards us with what we consider “healthy” foods. Exposed to this media, it is clear to see why people would want to fuel their body well on a physical adventure like backpacking.
The problem with this line of thinking is that while backpacking, your body has drastically different nutritional needs than during day to day life. Your caloric requirements will be much higher than usual, and you need to maintain an intake of high calorie carbohydrates to fuel your body on the trail. Additionally, you sweat more while backpacking than you otherwise would. This means that your body will need more salt than normal to keep performing. Crackers, pretzels, ramen, and other typically “unhealthy” foods are just what your body needs while you are out on the trail.
4. Optimistic Expectations
A different mistake that many new backpackers commit is being overly optimistic with their trip plan. Unfortunately, many new backpackers don’t ruck beforehand to prepare for the trip. Oftentimes, the first time they experience any extended hiking with weight on their pack is at the trip. For those who haven’t acclimatized their bodies to hiking with weight, it will have a significant impact on your endurance and pace. This is particularly apparent on routes that have large changes in elevation. The lack of awareness of the effects of hiking with weight can lead to overly amibitious daily distance goals and unrealistic trip plans.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to simply do a couple practice hikes beforehand and time yourself. This helps to set realistic distance goals at paces that you can comfortably manage. Don’t make you first backpacking trip a death march to try and make some pre-determined objective. Err on the side of giving yourself too much time. You can always cover more ground if you hit your goal early but it is much harder to do the reverse.
5. Overanalyzing Gear
Finally, the most serious pitfall new backpackers encounter is overanalyzing gear. Researching and buying gear is fun, and we all want to know what the best equipment is. In spite of this, backpacking gear is very personal and the best way to learn what you want is to go out and do it. It is easy to waste months or even a year researching the best tents, techniques, and tools for backpacking. Meanwhile, going on a trip or two will yield more learning than hundreds of articles or Youtube videos.
Just as long as you have the bare essentials needed to do the trip safely, do it! There is no better teacher than getting out and exploring yourself. Then you can upgrade your gear slowly over time based on what you were disatisfied with on the trail. This will lead you to a set of gear optimized to your own unique style of adventure.
Closing Thoughts
That covers off the five most common mistakes I see from new backpackers. While experience is the best way to learn, avoiding these five pitfalls will save you some uncomfortable learning on the trail. With this knowledge in hand, don’t overthink it, pack what you have, and get out there. Backpacking is an excellent way to experience remote wilderness and find solitude in an increasingly busy world. I’ll see you on the trail.