A backpacker on grassy ridge with the words beginner backpacking mistakes to avoid
A backpacker on grassy ridge with the words beginner backpacking mistakes to avoid

Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid

Written by Jacob Deutsch

No matter how experienced a hiker you are learning from those who have more miles under their boots (or trail runners) than you will have a huge impact on your ability to successfully complete, and enjoy a thru-hike. After all, every thru-hiker makes plenty of stupid mistakes at the beginning of their hikes. Lucky for you, you can learn from their errors so are not doomed to repeat them.

The hosts of Backpacker Radio are no different. They have made just as many, if not more, mistakes than every other thru-hiker. Zach, Chaunce, and Sauce sat down a few weeks ago and went over some of the most egregious mistakes they made as beginners and the most common beginner backpacking mistakes they see at the start of every hiking season. Here is an abridged version of the list of the nine biggest backpacking mistakes they compiled, read it here.

Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha
Maelezo ya vyombo vya habari kutoka Trek
Trek ya

Njia ya Appalachian, Njia ya Divide ya Bara, Njia ya Crest ya Pasifiki, na kila kitu katikati. Tumejitolea kutumikia backpackers ya umbali mrefu.

Sisi sote ni vitu vya nyuma vya umbali mrefu.

Njia ya Appalachian, Njia ya Divide ya Bara, Njia ya Crest ya Pasifiki, na kila kitu katikati. Tumejitolea kutumikia jamii ya thru-hiking na umbali mrefu wa backpacking.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Mlango wa Zoe
Editor at Backpacker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
Hiker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker