Look… I might be speaking from experience when I say carrying a backpack that’s roughly 1/3 of your body weight through rocky canyon terrain for 20 miles is a bad idea, but anyone with half a brain can tell you that’s a big backpacking trip “don’t”.
While I’m guilty of lacking that half of a brain cell, I’ve also certainly learned a trick or two from my time on the backcountry trails.
One of the topics that usually pops up amongst seasoned backpackers is the stupid mistakes we’ve made on the trail. Well that and, of course, the inevitable exchange of snort-inducing poop stories involving either a trowel or an open-air view of whatever bear or mountain lion is planning to sneak up and eat you for a mid-day snack while your pants are around your ankles. But let’s leave that for a different post.
Behold! A wooden throne on which to take a dump in the backcountry!
Bonus: No trowel or fan ventilation necessary.
On that disgusting note, here are some tips on what to avoid on a backpacking trip!
- Don’t wear cotton socks. The blisters aren’t worth it. Wear wool or other hiking-specific socks. My favorite are Balega Blister Resist. A friend of mine swears by the Swiftwick wool socks. There are tons of great trail socks out there, so find a pair that works for you!
- Don’t forget an extra set of clothes. Always bring a second set of clothes because wearing sweaty or otherwise damp attire on day two is miserable and can be very, very cold. Don’t forget the extra socks and underwear. If I have to cross a stream, it’s really nice to have a dry pair of socks to warm my frozen toes in the evening. I may have learned this backpacking tip the hard way.
- Don’t hike without a plan. It’s a bad idea. Here’s why – it is easier to get lost on a backcountry trail than you might think. Trails fork, some are overgrown, and some can be difficult to navigate. Instead, research the trail you plan to take before you go. Screenshot the map and any directions or print them up before you head out. Remember that cell coverage is rarely a thing in the mountains. And always always tell someone where you’re heading and when to expect you back.
- Don’t forget snacks and electrolytes. Malnutrition is a recipe for hangry disaster. Know your body’s nutrition needs. When my blood sugar drops, I turn into a psycho and make poor life choices because I can’t think straight even though I’ll tell you I’m fine, speed up, and almost fall off a cliff. Ditto for dehydration – I’ve legit ended up in the hospital with an IV pumping fluids into my veins, and that was the day before a big backpacking trip. So don’t be like me – pack a few extra snacks, and ensure you have salt pills or electrolyte tabs (I like NUUN).
- Don’t forget to use a packing checklist. There are so many good resources for backpacking essentials, and there are rarely times when you need more than the essentials. More often than not, I end up annoyed at myself for bringing an extra pound of stuff I really didn’t need to pack. If you’re questioning whether you need an item, you probably don’t need it, or you can replace an item to cover multiple needs. For example, I usually bring long underwear or leggings that I can sleep in or wear around the camp. They also double as extra pants if needed.
- Don’t wear a brand new pair of shoes. Yes, I have done this, and it’s a bad idea. Everyone else who wore brand new hiking boots on the same trip (there were a lot of us because we were young and dumb) was also in absolute misery by the end of the first day. Let’s not even get into what our feet looked like by the end of the week. It was scary. But I digress. Instead, wear a pair of trail shoes, hiking boots, or whatever you’re most comfortable in on several training hikes. If you end up with blisters or bruised toenails, your shoes are probably the incorrect size or width. I personally like to hike in either my trail running shoes or my approach shoes. I’ve learned through trial and error after my first backpacking experience that the boots are too heavy and leave bruises in weird places.
- Don’t leave the anti-chafe cream at home. Just trust me on this one if you have sensitive skin. I like the travel packets by Blue Steel.
- Don’t forget to take pictures. You don’t need to bring that 12-pound DSLR and all the extra attachments – your phone will do. And you don’t have to post your trip all over social media like I do… but take photos. Those memories can be so wonderful to look at later. I still look at photos of my first backpacking trip from almost twenty years ago and smile. And then I cringe because I see the photos of our blistered toes.
- Don’t backpack without a water filter. It doesn’t have to be a big fancy one. I highly recommend the Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter. It’s lightweight and requires zero pumping action to filter. I got this backpacking tip from a friend who brought that exact filter. I was pretty jealous watching him easily and immediately guzzle water while I sat there for 10 minutes pumping alpine lake water through a filter into a container.
- Don’t plan to hike 10 miles uphill in one day carrying 30 pounds on your back if you’re not a regular hiker. I mean, you can do it… but you are going to hurt so bad that day two on the trail is going to bring out the ugly tears. And more importantly, it’s a really good way to injure yourself. There are so many great backcountry trails with minimal elevation gain and reasonable distances between campsites. Challenging yourself is good. Pushing yourself beyond your physical limits is going to make you regret your life choices… and that’s bad.
- Don’t forget to bring toilet paper. Because wiping your backside with leaves and pinecones burns if you do it wrong, and trust me… it’s difficult enough trying to keep that region feeling fresh out in the wilderness without dried remnants and dirt stuck to your butt (remember I mentioned poop stories? Yeah… that). Also, please remember to bury your poop and pack out your waste. Yes, it’s gross. Just do it. Leave no trace.
- Don’t plan to backpack with someone who regularly grates on your nerves. Everything in the wilderness is magnified for me, including my lack of patience for whiners. It’s okay to not invite someone or to tell someone no if you know they’re going to annoy the crap out of you on a trip. Repeat after me: It’s not okay to push someone off a cliff. This is definitely a backpacking trip don’t.
- Don’t skimp on the sandals. Bring a pair of flip flops with good treads or hiking sandals. Those dumb, ugly Crocs can also be great because they’re lightweight (but so, so ridiculous). Sandals are great for slipping on quickly during middle-of-the-night pee breaks and for resting your aching feet after a long day on the trail.
- Don’t assume you’ve failed if you have to turn around or change your plans. It’s easy to feel disappointed if your trip doesn’t go as planned, but using good judgment should be something you feel proud of. A difficult hiking day does not mean you have to have a bad day. Instead, try to see it as a day you conquered despite the challenges that arose. Cutting a trip short might mean you made a positive decision to take care of your knee that was hurting, thus preventing injury.
- Don’t forget to reward yourself. Your reward might be hiking further to an incredible view or jumping into an alpine lake (be sure to shed those extra layers – or heck, remove all the layers – because it can take a long time for clothing to dry in the backcountry!). Or maybe it’s a cup of hot chocolate or coffee from the top of the mountain you just climbed. Or hey – maybe it’s a shot of whisky… I won’t judge! Whatever your reward is, celebrate your accomplishment and relish in those moments!
What would you add to the list? I’d love to hear your backpacking trip “don’ts”!
Love this post? Check out my tips on hiking in the dark to catch the sunrise or sunset!