When I first started backpacking almost 10 years ago, I didn’t realize just how little I knew. Fueled by naive ambition and a sense of adventure, I made several common missteps. Still, I fell in love with this pursuit, and it’s taken me to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the entire United States. To help you learn from my mishaps, here are the backpacking mistakes I’ve made when out exploring the wilderness. Hopefully, you’ll avoid these pitfalls and have a smooth and memorable time out on trail!
Bringing too Many Clothes
One of the most common backpacking mistakes that beginners make, including myself, is packing too many clothes. On one of my first backpacking trips hiking a section of the Trans Catalina Trail, I brought a different outfit for the four days we were on trail. As I started walking, my pack’s weight, partially weighted down with at least five pounds of extra clothes, was quickly making my shoulders sore and hiking more difficult. With 27 miles and over 6,000 feet of elevation gain ahead of me, I quickly wished I left some t-shirts and shorts back in my closet.
It’s tempting to bring several different outfits, but that added weight quickly becomes a burden after a few miles on trail. You only truly need your hiking clothes (shorts or pants, and a quality hiking shirt), a few warm layers, rain gear, an extra pair of socks and underwear, and sleepwear. Yes, your clothes will get dirty but it’s worth it for a significantly more comfortable time outside.
Packing Deodorant
One of the hardest things for beginner backpackers to leave at home is deodorant. Which is completely understandable—in your everyday life, you want to smell fresh, clean, and odor-free, both for yourself and for those around you. However, when you’re out on trail, especially for longer than an overnight trip, it’s best to leave your deodorant at home.
A reality of spending several days in the backcountry is that you will get sweaty and smelly. At that point, deodorant won’t make a difference and ends up becoming extra weight. Plus, everyone else around you will be equally stinky!
Carrying a Heavy Book
I’ll admit that this is one of the backpacking mistakes that I still make from time to time. After a long day of hiking, I love the idea of hunkering down in my tent and diving deep into a good story. However, when I’m finally out on trail, I always wish that I had left my heavy book at home. By the time I get to camp, set up my tent, eat a meal, finish my chores, and finally climb into my sleeping bag, I’m too tired to read and end up falling asleep instead.
If you want to bring a book (or journal or anything else with pages) consider a digital option. The Amazon Kindle is a great, lightweight choice that’s backpacker-friendly and feeds your inner bookworm.
New to backpacking? Check out our article below! You’ll learn everything you need to know to get started, including choosing the right trail, what gear you’ll need, proper backpacking etiquette, and more.
Packing the Incorrect Types of Food
Dialing down your food is a continual art and is unique to each individual. That said, there are a few guiding principles that will help make your experience on trail much more enjoyable.
In general, you want to pack the lightest food with the most amount of calories. While expensive, pre-packed backpacking meals are a quick and easy choice. For a more economical and customizable option, build your meals from scratch. When at the grocery store, look for foods that are nonperishable, calorie-rich, and lightweight. Avoid anything that’s canned, as they are too heavy to bring on your trip.
While each person’s preferences are different, I usually try to bring a good mix of carbohydrates and protein. One of my food-related backpacking mistakes was when I was hiking the John Muir Trail. I neglected to pack any meaningful protein sources, instead opting for things like chips and candy. I underestimated just how much my body needed protein and could physically see myself thin out while on trail. All in all, I lost about 10 pounds of mostly muscle mass over the course of my 17 days in the backcountry. Nowadays, I make sure to pack plenty of jerky, tuna packets, and protein bars to avoid depleting my body’s energy reserves and muscle mass like that again.
Figuring out what food choices work for you is a never-ending process. I still tweak my backpacking menu all the time. Do your best, make note of what works and what doesn’t, and continue to explore and have fun.
Failing to Fuel Your Body Correctly
One of the most common backpacking mistakes that I see hikers make all the time is failing to eat or drink enough when out on trail. When in the backcountry, you’re burning well over 3,000 calories a day, and losing lots of water and electrolytes via sweat. Even if you’re not hungry or thirsty, it’s vital to fuel your body throughout the day.
To stay properly fueled, I keep my snacks within easy reach, like in a hip belt pocket or pants pocket. I make it a point to eat something every hour or so to maintain my energy. Since I tend to get headaches if I’m not hydrated, I’m especially diligent about drinking water before lunch. I also mix in an electrolyte supplement, like LMNT or Nuun, to stay ahead of any potential issues later in the day.
Not Carrying Crucial Over-The-Counter Medications
I remember catching a stomach bug while on a four-day backpacking adventure in the Gila Wilderness. Luckily it was on the last day of our trip, but the 10-mile hike back to the car was brutal. The whole time I was fighting back the urge to release contents from both ends while regretting not packing an antacid to help ease my pain.
Carrying a first aid kit is a backpacking essential, and most people make sure to have one in their pack. While I’m not a medical professional, there are several over-the-counter medications that I like to carry in addition to treat common ailments.
Painkillers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are extremely helpful in reducing pain. For simple cuts and scrapes, a topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin can help your injury heal quicker and prevent it from getting infected. To help treat gastrointestinal issues (like I had), pack an antacid like Pepto Bismol or Tums. And in case of an allergic reaction, It’s smart to bring a non-drowsy antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Underestimating Altitude
While backpacking in mountains is a magical experience, one of the most common mistakes is failing to prepare for altitude adequately. Altitude sickness is caused when your body struggles to adjust to the reduced oxygen and air pressure at higher elevations. It can strike whenever you ascend into the mountains and results in headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even death.
The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimatize before your trip. Spend a few days hiking and camping at higher elevations to help your body adjust to the environment. When you start hiking, take it slow and if you start to feel the symptoms, head down. If you want, you can also talk to your doctor about medications you can take beforehand to prevent illness from striking.
Neglecting the Weather Forecast
Conditions in the backcountry can change on a dime. I’ve been out backpacking several times when the weather pivoted from sunshine to thunderstorms in just a few minutes. Therefore, it’s imperative that you check the weather and know what to expect before heading out on trail. Even if it’s a beautiful day, carry rain gear and warm layers just in case it takes a sudden turn.
I highly recommend checking out weather.gov before leaving on your trip. I’ve found that it has the most accurate weather forecasts, especially for remote locations For real-time weather updates in the backcountry, look into getting the Garmin inReach Mini 2. This satellite communicator is a powerful tool that allows you to check the weather, connect with loved ones, and call for help all without cell service.
Not Testing Gear Beforehand
I remember heading out for a backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park a few years ago. After double-checking my pack and fine-tuning my food supplies, I was ready for the adventure ahead. The first few miles were stunning, with breathtaking views all around us. Eventually, we reached a rushing river, and I pulled out my water filter to refill my bottles. But when I tried to squeeze water through, nothing happened – it was completely clogged. No matter how hard I pressed, only a trickle of water emerged. Luckily, I was able to borrow a filter from a friend, but mine was useless the entire time.
Before heading out on a backpacking trip, don’t make one of the most common beginner mistakes and forget to test your gear, especially if it’s new or you haven’t used it in a while. That way, you understand how everything works and can troubleshoot any issues (like my clogged water filter) before you hit the trail.
Planning an Overambitious Trip
If I’m being honest, I’m still guilty of this mistake all the time. But as a beginner backpacker, it’s especially important to know your limitations and plan a trip within your abilities. It may be tempting to try and see everything all in one adventure, but it’s more important to slowly build up your comfort in the backcountry. There’s no rush when exploring the outdoors, and after several trips under your belt, you’ll feel much more confident tackling increasingly ambitious routes.
That said, nature is always filled with unknowns. After several backpacking trips with others, I felt confident to try my first solo overnight adventure. What on paper was a low-risk, overnight trip into my local mountains quickle became more than I bargained for. You can read about my experience and what I learned below.
Even after years of backpacking, I still make mistakes. But that’s all part of the beauty of exploring the backcountry—you’re constantly learning something new. Hopefully though, you can avoid these mistakes and have a smooth time out on trail. If you’re looking for help planning a backpacking trip or other outdoor adventure, reach out! We at GoForth are experts at turning your outdoor dreams into a reality, and we’d love to help curate an unforgettable trip for your friends and loved ones. Click on the button below to learn more about our offerings, and contact us if you’re ready to take the first step toward a life outdoors!
