Are you thinking about dropping everything and hiking through the woods for months on end? Before you do, check out these 5 tips to ensure you make it from Point A to Point B!
As a first time thru hiker, it's easy to get overloaded with information. There are endless blog posts, YouTube videos, and Facebook groups dedicated to providing loads of information to help you succeed on your hike. Even with all of the information you would ever need, it's common for hikers to still feel unprepared. How is that possible?
I am glad you asked. The answer is a lack of experience. Which brings us to our first tip:
Tip #1 - Go out and HIKE
One of the best assets you can have with you on trail is experience. While it's great to know what puffy others are bringing and how many grams your poop shovel weighs, neither of those pieces of information are going to get you through the grueling months of a thru hike. Instead of obsessing over the minute details, head out into the woods and become familiar with the things that work or don't work for you.
The more experience you have backpacking/hiking, the less likely you are to have an issue pop up that you can't solve. Which leads me right into the next tip.
Tip #2 - Be flexible (mentally)
There will be times when your plan gets chewed up and spit right back into your face. What you expect to happen doesn't always come to fruition and what you don't expect to happen is likely to pop up at the most inopportune time. To say it simply, plans change.
This does not mean you shouldn't have a plan. You should have one. However, you need to be mentally flexible enough to change your plans when necessary. Trying to impose your will on the situation will only frustrate you and could make things more difficult than needed. Instead, take a moment to analyze and come up with a new plan that accounts for the new information.
By being flexible with your plans, you are able to overcome any metaphorical wrench that is thrown into them.
"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind." – Bruce Lee
Tip #3 - Pack what you need
It is said that when going on a thru hike people tend to "pack their fears." This was especially true for me. My fear was being cold on the trail. That fear manifested itself in more ways than one. I would cram layer upon layer into my clothes bag and I would justify it by thinking "when I get to camp this might be nice to have." Before I knew it, my pack was filled to the top.
There's nothing wrong with packing a few comfort items as long as they are used! After a number of shakedown hikes, in subfreezing temperatures, I realized there was no need to carry half of the layers that I had packed. My fear of being cold was put to rest.
Regardless of what your 'fear' is, make sure that you are only bringing the items that you'll use regularly. You'll soon realize that you had nothing to worry about. You are far more prepared than you think!
Tip #4 - Test your gear
This tip piggybacks off of the first one, but it needs a paragraph to itself. Whether it be at home in your living room or out in the middle of the backcountry, you should test your gear. Learn how each item in your pack works. By understanding the ins and outs of your gear you will be confident and efficient from the moment you step foot on the trail.
Tip #5 - Smile
You are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. The process leading up to the hike is only stressful if you let it be. It’s all part of the journey. So make sure you are smiling through it all!
Final thoughts
Don't let the preparation for your hike ruin how you feel about getting on trail. If I had one final mantra for you it would be 'Consume less and do more.' Consume less information about the small details and get out to do more backpacking. You are wildly capable, so don't sweat the small stuff.
If you have any tips you'd like to share, leave a comment down below. I would love to hear them. To be sure you don't miss anything, subscribe to the blog. For even more access, follow Living Lucid and myself on Instagram and Facebook! Both will be linked below.
I hope that you take only what you need from this list of tips. I can't wait to see you on trail!
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