Regardless of which type of backpacker you are, being prepared for your trip is crucial. While the right gear is important, it is only part of the equation for preparedness. There are essential ways to prepare for a trip that go beyond the gear. These include considerations on mentality, experience, and physical abilities. Not to mention the weather and trail conditions. And embarking solo creates more demand for these essentials. Although my bread & butter is backpacking, these apply to any outdoor adventure.
Many of these I have regretfully disregarded, and thus paid a price. I do not share this advice from a throne of judgment or superiority. Rather, I am humbly speaking on behalf of a naïve, ergo stupid, version of me who made my share of trail transgressions. Due to these blunders, I wish to shed insight to prevent others from falling into the same hole.
Assessing Your Abilities vs Limitations
One of the most important ways to prepare for a trip is to consider your abilities versus your limitations. Preventing a blunder begins by not placing yourself in a situation outside your capabilities. For example, maybe you have no problem pulling long daily miles, but you struggle with heavy elevation changes. Or perhaps the weight of the pack is no bother, but balancing with the bulk poses a challenge. Worst yet, maybe you’re an avid winter hiker, but are naive to the struggles of winter backpacking. Knowing ourselves is paramount to a safe backpacking adventure.
Sometimes, the bewitching prospects of spending a few days in the backcountry cloud our judgment. We take a look at a planar map, peek at photos, and the magic of the adventure works its spell. But warding off the spell and planning practically prevents you from being miserable on the trail. Trip planning should account for the person who will be on the trip. In other words, prepare with future-you in mind. How will you feel with the sun beating on your back, the straps of your 35-lb pack melting into your shoulders, and a never-ending ascent? Imagine what you will experience in different conditions and how you may respond to an adversary.
If you’re new to backpacking, this is an especially important consideration. When getting your footing, it’s better to underdo than to overdo. There is no need for your first trip to be 100 miles in 5 days. Or to undertake an elevation grade outside your capacity. This overeagerness will get you hurt. Take it easy, find your groove, and learn the ropes first. Those trails are not going anywhere. There will be another day better suited to tackle them. I am all for challenging ourselves and pushing our limits, but I am also a firm advocate for respecting our bodies.
Have the gear, know the gear
So, you stocked up on all the gear you need for your adventure. But do you know how to use them? Does your headlamp require batteries or is it rechargeable? Does your sleeping pad include fabric tape and glue? What will you do if you experience connectivity issues with your satellite communicator? These are things you should understand before heading for the trail. Carrying gadgets galore is meaningless if you don’t know how to use them. And trust me, the middle of the backcountry is not the place you want to figure it out. Familiarizing yourself with your gear is crucial in preparing for a backpacking trip.
If possible, test out your gear in your backyard or on a day hike. Practice setting up your tent and your sleep system. Check how the signal to your satellite device responds to tree coverage. Figure out how to use your filter system. Think about all the possible issues you may run into and consider how you will troubleshoot them. You can make gear changes before you hit the road, but it can be difficult to do so while in the backcountry. Be sure you know your system works for you.
Most newly purchased gear comes with instruction manuals or setup diagrams. If your gear is second-hand, I would suggest looking up the brand name online to see if you can find instructions directly from the manufacturer. For those who prefer visual learning, there are dozens of videos on YouTube that demonstrate step-by-step how to use most gear items. Of course, feel free to message me with any questions you may have about your gear.
Navigational skills and a sense of direction
I am sure comments on the importance of maps and compasses are said ad nauseam on other hiking pages. There is a reason for that. While the uptick in digital technology, particularly GPS, has had a tremendous impact on navigation, don’t allow over-reliance to be your downfall. There have been plenty of times when my GPS loses my exact location, my phone dies, the digital map glitches, or the trail is no longer passable. That is why it’s imperative to know how to use different methods of navigation. I always carry two compasses and two maps– a downloaded copy and a physical copy sealed in a bag.
In addition to carrying these items, I would recommend studying the map beforehand to familiarize yourself with the area. Get familiar with the names or the blazers of the trails you will be on. Look at which direction you are going to be heading. Take note of important landmarks, the layout, and junction locations. Familiarize yourself with the overall terrain/grade of the trail. Spending an hour reviewing the map could enable you to gather your whereabouts on the trail and diminish your reliance on your phone.
Lastly, pay attention to your surroundings. Having a sense of where the sun sits in the sky or where a landmark lies relative to the trail can point you in the right direction. These are skills you will develop as you continue to venture into the backcountry. The more you study the map and take note of your whereabouts, the stronger your sense of direction will become. As stated previously, there are countless resources on how to use a compass and a map, and on how to develop a directional sense.
First-aid and wound care
Packing a first aid kit and knowing how to use it are two different things. First-aid kits are not just for emergencies. I have used my kit several times for preventive care to avoid a larger problem down the road. Get to know your first-aid kit before packing it. In addition to taking inventory of your supplies, make sure you know how to use said supplies. Similar to the suggestion for the gear, your first-aid kit should have instructions. At the very least, it should include the names of the items in the kit, which you could look up online for specifics. There are plenty of free resources available online, as well as helpful books. You can also pay for in-person or online courses covering first-aid and wilderness first-aid. There is a wealth of information at your disposal on preparing for the unexpected. Don’t think that because you carry a first-aid kit, you are prepared.
Not all kits are created equal, so it is best to see what items are available to ensure you have the essentials. There are some kits you can buy that are created with outdoor adventures in mind. But even these may not have everything you need. For example, I like to carry bandages and tape made specifically for blisters and blister prevention. I also make sure my kits include nail clippers and files. I have experienced trips where gnarly blisters or broken nails have created obstacles on multi-day trips, so these are must-have items to include in my kits. Make sure your kit has what you need, and that you know how to use everything. Feel free to check out my post here about the essential items I believe should be included in a first-aid kit for any backpacking adventure.
Pretend you are a meteorologist, prepare for the weather
I cannot emphasize this enough: make sure you are aware of the weather before you go on your trip. It may be disappointing to have to reschedule an adventure or cut one short, but we all have a duty to make smart decisions when in nature. Mother Nature simply does not care that you had this trip planned for X amount of time. If a storm is to rage or rain is to fall, it will happen with or without your approval. So, don’t allow yourself to be completely blindsided by the weather. There are variables beyond our control, and this is one of those things that we have to adapt to.
This also means knowing what the conditions were like before you go. The conditions of the days and even weeks leading up to your trip can impact the trail conditions. Warmer springtime temperatures could imply snowmelt from higher elevations. Now you are looking at muddier trails and impassable water crossings. Lots of rainfall followed by freezing temperatures might transform the trail into an ice rink. This information is just as valuable as knowing the forecast, as it can give you a window into what you will be backpacking in.
Lastly, Mother Nature does not always abide by the predictions of meteorologists. Acquaint yourself with the climate of where you are going. It’s best to prepare for your backpacking trip by anticipating what could happen based on the climate of your destination. If you’re visiting a rainforest during the dry season, it’s still a good idea to prepare for rain. It’s also important to note that traditional weather apps report the weather from nearby towns and cities. Higher elevations can see radically different weather than what is reflected in the weather reports. I like to use mountain-forecast to get a more accurate glimpse at the weather on the actual mountains.
Plan ahead, adapt on the spot
So, you have every detail planned out, down to the meals eaten each day. You have all the necessary gear and the knowledge of how to use it. The weather has been checked and forecasts noted. You are ready to embark on your adventure. All is going well until a storm suddenly rolls in, leaving you taking shelter during the downpour. By the time it’s safe to continue hiking, you realize you are still 5 miles out of your planned campsite for the night. Do you keep your headlamp handy for a night hike? Would you be able to find another campsite for the night and make up the lost miles the following day? Would you be ready to extend the trip by a day? Regardless of what happens, you have to be ready to reassess and adapt. Backpacking expeditions and outdoor adventures in general are notorious for not going to plan. Being stubborn about sticking to a plan or being unwilling to pivot will only hurt you in the end.
This point sits near and dear to me. I am a stickler for a plan. It brings comfort during uncertainty and grants a sense of security. I used to be so married, so committed to my plans that I didn’t allow for things to change. Instead of working my plans around spontaneous occurrences, I attempted to fit everything around my plans. And what a mistake this was. My stubbornness for sticking to a plan was eventually going to be my demise if I didn’t learn how to adapt. And that is why I emphasize the importance of using the plan as a guideline. There will be occasions when your well-thought-out plan goes to ruin because of unexpected weather or conditions, or it could be as simple as getting a late start in the morning and evaluating the likelihood of a night hike to reach the day’s destination. Whatever it may be, the ability to make last-minute decisions and let go of what was planned will ultimately serve you.
Closing thoughts
There is a movie that I watched a little while ago called Captain Fantastic. One of the scenes that struck me the most was when the father said to his son,
“There’s no cavalry. No one will magically appear and save you in the end.”
And he is right. There is no cavalry coming to save you in the end, so you must be your own cavalry. And one mustn’t rely on Search and Rescue to come to your aid because there are no guarantees. Depending on where you’re located, it may take several hours or even days to reach you. Besides, Search & Rescue is not a plan B; it should be a last resort. The best course of action is to make smart decisions and arrive prepared. Keeping these preparations in mind when planning a backpacking trip will provide you with tools to rely on when inevitable challenges arise.
One of the greatest treasures solo adventuring has given me is my ability to self-regulate and shift my perspective to solve challenges. You will certainly learn a lot about yourself and improve through these journeys. Keep yourself informed, stay alert, and allow some malleability in your plans— your time in nature will reward you.
Happy Trails!
