I can definitely relate to "how to use this gear". I got an REI flash 2 and set it up before, but when I did a tiny 10 mile 1 night trip on the AT, I had no idea how to pitch it on uneven ground ;-;
For our first wild camp I bought sleeping pads for myself and my husband that were wayyyy too narrow. Needless to say we spent most of that night on the tent floor. I think I got like 2 hrs of sleep...
newbee here, what pass get the most bang for the buck? started adventuring and am finding that 10bucks a pop is really starting to add up. appreciate ya!
In recent videos, you missed out on environmentally friendly soap and said we don't need a GPS tracker or satellite phone if we went somewhere without cellular service. I really appeciate your videos and I'd appreciate it even more if you corrected your mistakes.
The biggest mistake I made was not doing enough research before I bought my gear. Ended up spending way more money then I needed on gear that just didn't work for me :(
In the summer, when it stays light late, I like to stop and make supper, and then hike for awhile before setting up camp. This keeps the bears back there.
I'll do the same thing, but if we are setting up a base camp we'll use for several days I usually like to make a "cook camp" about a hundred yards away from our tents where we store all the foodstuff and cookware.
Stop and smell the roses. First time I went backpacking I was so stressed about getting to my chosen destination that I forgot to enjoy the views and just nature in general.
I have a friend like that. No matter the hike, she goes a minimum of 4ish miles per hour with her head down. Whereas im stopping to take photos and enjoy the scenery. We both may as well be hiking alone as much as we are hiking together.
Walk excruciatingly slowly your first km or so each day, then stop and stretch. It gives you an opportunity to feel out your pack and shoes and body and make any adjustments you might need to make before getting seriously into it. Long-haired folks, always bring extra extra elastic bands. Say Hi to everyone you pass, but mind your own business - they didn't come all the way out here to talk to you.
After searching for the perfect camp shoe for 5 years, I think I finally found the holy grail. I was looking for light, durable, comfortable, good for water crossings, breathable, and pack down small. Seems like the very best shoes out there only tick a few of those boxes. But I recently supported a kickstarter for pair of what are basically stretch socks with the sole covered in heavy duty rubber. They came a couple months ago, and they appear to cover all the bases really well. They weigh less than half what Crocs weigh, are SUPER comfy and breathable, and you can roll them up, so they pack down tiny. They also have good traction when wet, though I haven't worn them on a crossing yet, so I can't say for sure how they'd do. They're called Skinners 2.0, if you want to look them up. they appear to be available for regular sale now.
I love all this advice! The only thing I disagree with that is *completely* up to personal preference is I heard the advice to skip deodorant so many times but after my first couple of trips I realized I hated feeling that stinky and a travel size of deodorant (and a nightly “trail shower” with a baby wipe) made me feel a WORLD better on the trail and was what worked for me so I’ve done it on every trip since. Also I don’t bring an extra change of hiking clothes (obviously dry clothes exclusively for sleeping are important to stay dry and warm at night) but a spare pair of dry hiking socks when you’re hiking in a rainy region can make a world of difference for morale! Long story short: hike your own hike! ☺️
When I have "finished" a stick of antiperspirant, I break out what's left (it's quite a lot really), put it in a ziplock snack baggy and have plenty for a week for just a few grams. Worth it to me.
I don't care about the smell, but chafing can become a issue. I'm a 250 lb Man. Deodorant does help with this issue. A must for me is to carry a small tub of Petroleum Jelly, and Sure roll on Powder deodorant. Petroleum Jelly will stop sweat from sitting on your skin and cause chaffing. ( Legs/thighs rubbing, underwear, underarms, or other.) Sweat can cause you to start chafing. You need to wash the area of skin and then apply deodorant - non spray on, Petroleum Jelly, change to dry clothing before the area of skin starts to swell and becomes a rash. Sleep that night without any clothes and apply baby powder if you have it. The next day make sure to apply something like Sure Powder roll on deodorant or petroleum jelly over the areas. Nothing is worse than Chafing and not being able to walk.
Re: change of clothes - Bring different clothes to sleep in. You will be warmer and more comfortable sleeping in dry clothes rather than sleeping in your sweat. I'll have one shirt, pants, underwear, and socks to hike in, and one fresh shirt and underwear (and socks during the cold seasons) to sleep in.
@@angelarichardson7281 thru-hikers will use this method. But 4 days is fine in one set of clothes. The idea is to reduce your weight and bulk. you can always rinse the sweat out your shirt in a stream or lake.
I would add to this that groups should try to keep a general eye on each other, in the case of injury. Pair up with someone similar to your pace if possible, and always have your own map. It helps if the slowest get started hiking first, so faster hikers will be able to help if something goes wrong on the trail ahead
As a beginner, I packed my fears, and "just in case"'s. No, you won't need that full handle axe, just in case you want a fire and need to chop down a tree. (No, I didn't, but just sayin'). Look closely at everything you think you'll need, and take away about a third of it. Although Miranda mentioned changing clothes, and don't take a change of clothes, I would caveat that with DO take at least one extra pair of socks, and undies. And, DO take a set of sleep clothes that are weather/climate/season appropriate. For me, that's a sleeveless Tee in Fall/Summer/Spring, and in Winter a baselayer set. Also, be sure to take an appropriate shelter for the season/weather you're expecting to backpack in. IOW, if you're a beginner, don't take a tarp to camp in the dead of Winter with snow in the forecast, and conversely, don't take a Winter mountaineering tent in the dead of Summer. Also, if you can get to an REI or equivalent to look at tents, by all means get inside the tent. See how easy it is to get into/out of, and most importantly, how much room you have inside that particular tent. And finally, what she didn't mention, but what I consider VERY important: you foot wear and care. You need a pair of shoes that fit about a half size larger than you actual foot, or that has a wide toe box. Either one will let your foot swell, without giving you blisters. And if you do develop what's called a hot spot, attend to it immediately, or you'll regret it. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a foot blister, or ill fitting shoes.
I like dehydrated meals (I grew up camping with my dad so I’m used to them) but my biggest food advice is- TRY IT FIRST. I have allergies and ibs so I buy an extra meal if I want to try a new type of backpacking meal I buy an extra and cook it at home. So if the mushroom risotto makes me sick, I can be sick from the comfort of my bed and with easy access to my toilet.
This is good advice. My stomach hates most commercial dehydrated food and I end up with gas and/or stomach cramps after a day of eating it. It won't stop you in your tracks, but it can make for a really uncomfortable trip. Always try the food out before you go and you can do a lot with instant rice and a few simple ingredients.
- Warm up a bottle in the stove and put it inside the sleeping bag. - Do light excersise before getting into the sleeping bag so you body is warmed up - Learn the R values in the sleeping mats and what you need depending on the temperatures over the night. (most of the heat escapes through the floor) - Check the topography to see where is best convenient (and flat) place to rest for the night - High waterproof rating (mm) is cool for your tarp, but you are still in danger of getting wet if you don't set your tarp taking in mind how the water will flow when it rains.
I'd add to that, stretch as much as you can (slowly, holding stretches, none of that bouncy stuff) before you get out of your sleeping bag. Then you won't be tempted to skip any stretching before starting out.
Okay, here goes. I spent so much time stressing out dealing with critters that I forgot about something else much more dangerous .... and thus, my first-time and foremost mistake was not interpreting the weather forecast properly. Hot Tip: If it says it will rain in the valley [4,500 Ft] or a "couple of hours" that might [i.e. WILL] look a LOT different up a mountain at 7,000 Ft. .... In fact, it looked like 10+ inches of sleet and snow accumulating on the tent - coming down hard for hours and hours never stopping - my husband and I were pushing it off the tent [whaking the roof from time to time from inside] all night ... then, the snow would slide off and it pushed the vestibules of the tent inward ... so, then we then experienced condensation and wetness, freezing temperatures. Despite not having any cellular service, we were eventually able to get a text out to a family member who we had told exactly where we were [we did that right] and who was able to get his 4 wd truck up a narrow snowy mountain road about 1 mile from us - then, he hiked in with a shovel to help unbury our tent, and assist getting us back down to the truck. This could have had a much worse outcome - but, in the end, we had a GREAT learning experience, and now we have a fun dramatic story to tell of our first backpacking adventure into the woods. But yeah, PLEASE be sure to pay attention to the WEATHER before venturing out! P.S. Miranda, if you haven't already, do a video talking all about handling weather conditions! :)
Yes, the RESTING! Story time: I went camping this summer in Texas in July (I know, smart idea), and tried to cover 10 miles in one day. For me, that's not normally a lot, unless you're carrying 20+ pounds of stuff on your back the whole time. At around mile 7 with no rests, I was feeling good, until I just got this wave of heat exhaustion that nearly made me pass out. I hadn't stopped to eat anything or to rest my feet the entire time, and I nearly passed out on the trail. My head was swirling and I was so nauseous I thought I'd throw up. Luckily, I found a bench and I laid down to relieve the headache. Even if you're trying to hit 10 or 15 miles in one day on the trail guys, and even if you're stopping briefly to drink water, you should still sit down for maybe 15 minutes for every hour of hiking. It's a strenuous activity.
Man, same thing over here in Georgia. Not quite as hot out here, but the humidity will ruin you if you don't take regular breaks. Glad you ended up being okay, dude!
One thing that I think you should speak on is nighttime, for some and newbie’s it can be a foreign thing to be in the middle of the woods at night. You hear a twig snap, and crap it’s a mountain lion. Sharing tips on how to relax your mind outside is hugely helpful, so many people live in areas where there is no nature sounds anymore. How to deal with that fear of bears, mountain lions at night, it prevents quite a few people from even trying the outdoors. And no, I don’t mean carrying a firearm for all of those about to suggest that. For me, I grew up in the country, camping most summers, I’m used to it, but so,times it’s hard to explain to people who’ve never been how to relax at night and enjoy it.
Jeremy is so right. The first time I went backpacking, I jumped at every sound. But my buddy just said "there's nothing out there at night that isn't out there during the day. " Although that's not exactly right, it did help me relax.
Have you ever slept in a new house or apartment? It feels weird. There are different sounds. Backpacking is the same. Plus, there are dangers and you have to be aware of them and do what you need to do to prevent issues. For instance, I don't sleep outside in grizzly country. EVER. Black bears. Okay. Cougars. Alright. Grizzlies. NO. So, I think the most helpful thing might be to educate people about what to do to avoid potential issues. Like cooking downwind. Or like the person who prepares their food and then hikes to their campsite. That's smart!
I agree, and a lot of new campers/backpackers might find this difficult. If you know where you're camping, maybe look up online the sounds of different animals in that area. I went camping last weekend and we were all awakened by bloodcurdling screeching and yips nearby and my companions were freaked. They all calmed down pretty quickly when I assured them it was just a fox. But it reminded me of when I was new to camping and the sounds of field mice would keep me awake.
My first backpacking trip was to Yosemite National Park to summit Half Dome. Where I live I hear coyotes a lot. But in all honesty, I had gone with friends that had done this hike 2 years in a row, so I wasn’t that worried about any noises. I just crashed out
So everything is fine but you can't relax at night? Two words--Jack Daniels. And that hard ground feels softer. You might not even need a sleeping pad any more.
IF you have the luxury of time, TEST YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOU GO. practice with it, learn how to set it up AND Break it back down and store it. when I get a new piece of kit I take it out in the back yard and play with it till I understand it, I break it, or it breaks me.
One thing I learned the hard way is that any bag that may have had food in it at one time will still attract animals. Also, animals will eat soap. We had to tie all our gear up 10 feet into a tree because the racoons were chewing holes in our expensive backpacks that had NO food inside.
My best tip is to carry doggie bags to pick up tp/ wipes! Even biodegradable wipes take a long time to break down. Super easy to just pick up with a dog poop bag and add to your trash.
Great advice. My favorite thing to do with beginner backpackers is to have a packing party beforehand - so if you're new consider asking your experienced friend to go through your pack with you a few days before the trip.
Camping parties (even in one's backyard or a local park) invite everyone who's going and others for the fun of sharing. Experienced folks who aren't going can tell stories of how they "almost died on the trail" and newbies can actually camp with minimal risk thus have more fun.
Wow I was a beginner backpacker 50 yrs ago.... You know back when hiking boots weighed 4lbs each (before you put snoseal on them), sleeping bags were 10lbs and tents about 15lbs. That being said I got back into backpacking about 4 yrs ago after a 20yrs hiatus and my how things have changed. My first over night included a 45lb pack. I had every thing you could think of including 3 changes of clothes, a hammock, 4 days worth of food ( could not make up my mind as to what I would want to eat)..... it was painful. I have since evolved to all the new standards.... Plus I hike with my Cattledog so I hike his hike not mine.
Does Nsaid help with the joint pain for hiking? I found exercise a great balm for joint pain; usually Nsaid helps tremendously. Walking sticks are curcial.
Adding to this: Seriously, hiking with crutches and all your gear is a lot harder than it may look and is not a good idea unless you are REALLY used to crutches. Even then. Really difficult. Yup. (European crutches obviously. I don't think under the arm ones would work at all)
Mistakes I made: - Take waaay too much food and like 3 Liters of water when you have almost constant access to fresh water. - Overpacking, you really do pack your fears. As you get more confident in your abilities your pack will automatically get lighter. - Not walking at my own pace. If you are slow, be slow. Take your breaks if you need them. Trying to keep up with others that are fitter, just walk faster or have longer legs is only going to make you miserable and may lead to you having to tap out early or even abort the trip. Tips: - Start breaking in your hiking shoes early. I.e. wear them as your day to day shoes at least for a week if you can. You hardly notice it that way and it will make your first hike so much better. - Bring a Swiss Army Knife or Multitool. It will save your butt on so many occasions. As for SAK, the Minichamp is a must-have, it's so light and tiny and has such a nice variation of tools. For the bigger knives I recommend the Camper or Huntsman or if you can pack a bit bigger one with a locking blade, the Outrider. Multitools are way heavier than a SAK but it depends on personal preference what you bring. - Bring at least three ways to start a fire. Either three (quality) lighters, ideallyone packed waterproof. But if you like to experiment, a Ferro rod or a Fresnel lens will work too. Also be sure to bring some tinder and keep that dry too. And for Pete's sake: be careful and obey local regulations regarding making a fire. - Don't forget to bring at least a small first aid kit. - And last: have fun, enjoy nature and carry out what you carried back in, leave no trace.
Note: Back country pit toilets will NOT have toilet paper. Had seven boy scouts on 5-day trip and every one of them missed line on check list that said "toilet paper".
Also good tips for multiple day trips: - don't lite a camp fire if you don't need it. If you do, don't cut down large green things. Find small dead limbs you can break easily, and peel the bark off. You'll need to tend the fire more often, but it will teach you how to build safe, effective camp fires that don't produce much smoke. - learn how to properly wear and load your backpack with your chosen gear. Wearing yourself out with an improperly balanced and/or secured load will beat you up long before you get to camp - lightweight items for entertainment: cards, frisbee, book, earbuds, ultra light packraft - avoid fresh food. Food with water weight is heavy, so limit this luxury to a pound or two, and take things that are durable (apples, oranges, carrots) - avoid bringing extra clothes (as mentioned in the video) with one exception: socks. They're reasonably lightweight, and having a fresh pair for the next day (allowing you to wash AND dry your alternate pair), will make your trek much more enjoyable. I typically carry 3 pairs. If you get your feet wet during a creek crossing or in the rain, this can save your feet big time. - get a headlamp. They're lightweight and are great for handsfree tasks, like setting up camp, making dinner, etc - if hiking in a group, always have two or more water filters. If one fails you'll still be able to get good water - invest in good lghtweight foul weather gear, and consider getting a rain cover for your pack. Rain in the mountains happens often and you don't want to be wet and miserable - break in your backpacking shoes before your hike, or purchase footwear that doesn't require much break in. Finding out that a shoe doesn't fit well or rubs weird will make your trip painful - bring a good pair of sunglasses for high uv days - bring a lightweight hat for sun protection - invest in good quickdry pants and a couple shirts. Being able to dry your clothing quickly is important for sweat and rain. Nothing worse than hiking the next day in soggy clothing - basic first aid and ace bandage for joint stabilization - a sleeping bag and pad that will keep you warm and comfy. This is one area you really don't want to try to shave too much weight. Sleeping soundly on a good air mat in a bag that keeps you toasty will keep you better rested and aid recovery
Thank you for taking the time to write all this, as a wannabe backpacker, I hadn't considered at least half of these. Great points and a very nice read!
Great advice! Also, practice the knots you need to know while out there. I ended up with a bear bag hanging kit my first trip and had no idea how to tie a clove hitch to actually do a proper PCT hang... ooops
I learned the hard way to always carry my tp in a ziplock. Water spilled onto mine & it was a thick glob of tp, completely useless. And trust me, there is no way to dry it out!
Bit of advice... Do some decent research on the trail and area you're going to. Had an overnight a few weeks ago I just assumed there would be a place to camp (there wasn't...) And didn't know what the trail was made of. In this case it was crushed limestone. That made it feel and act like concrete. There is a VAST difference how your feet deal with 20 miles of dirt trail and 20 miles of concrete.
I did a day hike that had a TON of large broken stone. Feet never hurt so bad. totally changed how I consider rock vs dirt trails.(Advil /vitamit a is a real need, protect those feet!!!)
I totally agree with using your gear before your first trip! My husband and I are avid hikers and aspiring backpackers. Most of our Christmas presents this year were backpacking items. We haven't gotten packs yet as we were waiting to see how much gear we had to figure out sizing, yada yada lol. It seems silly that we have all our gear and haven't backpacked yet, but it's actually been a great opportunity to get to use our gear in low stakes settings. At this point we've used all of our gear and are pretty familiar with it. We've taken our cooking set up day hiking and tested it out multiple times, and we recently just camped in a campground at a state park with all of our gear and it was such a good learning opportunity...i.e. we forgot our trekking poles for our tent and had to find branches - but I was so glad we went through that after only an hour car ride and not a few hours of hiking! lol It's good peace of mind to know that we won't have to worry about being comfortable with our gear on our first trip.
I trail run rather than hike. Go out in the worst weather and test your clothes to failure. You need to know exactly how long it takes for a rain shell to soak out, if your "water proof" shoes are, if you're going to be heatstroking in a certain t-shirt. I'll spend 2 hours out in the rain just abusing my clothes to see if I hate them or not.
What’s the general rule of thumb about who had the right away on trails? I’ve seen so many trail runners go prancing down a trail not giving hikers or backpackers the right away. What’s with that? And on the trail I always thought trail runners yield to backpackers no matter terrain. Any insight would be helpful.
@@Ialmostcutmyhair slower traffic always has the right of way. I will always ask to pass when the slower traffic is COMFORTABLE. At certain high traffic National Parks there's users of all ages and ability levels. I would hate to make a 70 year old fall because I'm to impatient to slow down for a few steps.
@@Ialmostcutmyhair slow traffic should always yield to fast, downhill traffic should yield to uphill traffic unless the downhill is so steep that slowing down will mean falling
Pay attention to the temperature! I live in the desert and during the summer it's only nice to hike from twilight until about 11:00. Then it's too hot to carry on until the evening. You're working hard, so don't overexert yourself in the heat. It's not comfortable and it's definitely not safe. During your midday break, you can rest, take photos, identify plants, birdwatch, chow down, or whatever. Just find some shade to do it in! Be sure to bring a headlamp since you'll probably want to start hiking right at the crack of dawn. And water is heavy, so if you're backpacking near a dependable water source, bring a water purifying system with you.
A deck of cards is a compact, low tech entertainment system. A std deck of cards weights approx 96grams, or about 3.4 ounces. Too much extra wght for some, but less weight than many alternatives. For me, they get used 80% of the time. Nonetheless, weight is factor for all backpackers. A good Mantra to keep in mind when packing your pack: "As yards become miles, ounces become pounds."
My sister just went a couple weeks ago to get outfitted for the REI adventure trip to lake Jackson in August, and there was another customer there getting outfitted for the Kilimanjaro trip TWO DAYS before their flight out! Miranda and other UA-camrs were so helpful when I started getting into backpacking, and I’m glad I started watching them and getting familiar with my gear nearly a year before my first big trip...
As a relatively experienced backpacker, I cannot stress enough the message about trying a new (or in my case an old food I have never enjoyed) food on a trip. I have despised porridge since I can first remember being served and forced to eat 'ready brek' (instant oatmeal/porridge) at 5 years old. That said, I know it's a really great breakfast full of energy for a big hike and it's really easy to store and prepare, so when I went on a canoe expedition, I bought the most bougie instant oats I could find and figured I'd tough it out. I was *extremely* glad I'd packed extra dinner meals for emergencies (it was an extremely remote exped). I tried the porridge on day one and managed to force down 2 bites before I decided I'd need to be literally about to die of starvation before I'd eat another bite of porridge in my life. I ended up having dinner for breakfast for two mornings, and on the last day I toughed it out until we hit a service stop on the drive home. It's not worth it guys, pack food you know you'll enjoy.
@@jeffpeters5347 I usually leave a litre of water in the car for after the hike. I never leave anything sweet or smelly in case of animals (i normally do 2-5 night hiking trips).
Great video, thanks! Laughed a lot. I've been backpacking for years now and just made another first mistake this month. Have had a new puppy for about a year now and he's really well acclimated to life around the house and yard. We set off on his first backpack trip a few weeks ago, having a blast (mostly on leash) till we got to the campsite area. He's roaming around scoping things out nice and chill. Dinner's cooked, sun's setting, and out come the mosquitos. Time to dive into the tent. Nope, not for Flynn. Too much scary, not going in. Keep in mind he was exhausted from all the new things that day, but there my wife and I were laying in our sleeping bags trying to coax him in for like 30 minutes. He wanted no part of it. Meanwhile, his face was getting blasted by mosquitos and we're trying not to let them all in. Finally I got up, went out, picked him up and tossed him into the tent. He immediately laid down and crashed out. So, yeah, some pups might freak about going into a tent for the first time. Set it up in the back yard so they can explore ahead of time. Rest of trip was excellent--the next night he was the first one in setting up shop on thermarests and down bags. ;) Now the kayak is in the back yard for him to explore.... maybe tomorrow he gets his first kayak ride on the lake!
did You make sure your puppy could swim before you went Kayaking? Some are terrified of the water. I had a golden retriever and he hated the water. He also hated to fetch anything, We thought that was funny, we tried lots of time to fetch anything nope he wanted no part of that. He loved to walk and loved adventures. He loved car rides. Thanks for your video .
@@Nyx916 just saw this! He did pretty well but took him some time to understand getting on the thing was no big deal. He likes to swim! His newest terror is an auto-watering bowl that gurgles air bubbles as the various pets around the house casually slurp up the water. His little brain can't fathom. Sweet boy still, though.
I have three young daughters, 7, 5, and 1. We went on a massive camping trip last month. I loved my solo trips, but am excited to show them. As a recent single mother, your channel has given me a lot of encouragement and information. I felt close to being confined to a campsite. But I can still do my solo trips and continue to learn. And eventually start bringing my girls! My oldest wants to do winter camping this year. Send me any info you have on that! 😂
Carrying a bunch of apples! They seem like a good self-contained fresh thing, but I don't love them, and they get bruised and they're super heavy. And when I don't eat them by the end of the trip and realize I've carried dumb, heavy apples for 10+ miles I get grumpy at the apples...and it's not their fault!
Beginner backpackers need to know that just because they've spent 1000s on High End gear, doesn't mean they're doing things "Properly" compared to someone using thrift store gear. Don't be a gear snob and, arguably just as important, don't be put off by gear snobs. 👍 Find kit that works for you. 💗
If you talk USA, it's really more up to skills than gear. I dare you try doing Brazeau Loop with thrift gear, it will be a story to tell your grandkids.
@@mezmerya5130 Canada? People have been doing huge hikes for 1000s of years. Some doing huge miles just in Keds and a canvas sack. Someone using older gear that knows what they're doing will be fine. Someone with no clue what they're doing, even with the latest gear, will be screwed. But I assume that's what you meant.
trying out your gear in a backyard is 100% on point. sleep in your tent, try on those clothes, use your stove and yes, eat a dehydrated meal. pack and repack your pack. you'll b sooooo much happier fixing small things at home rather then forgetting tp or sunscreen. realize that a dumb 'sitpad' is not dumb but a real real nice item while sitting on the ground for hours at camp and in the am.
@@linedwell No, i mean, that during one that hike you will get ankle deep mud, hip deep snow and more than one knee deep crossing. And all that at close to 0c temperature. I exactly said that in usa climate and infrastructure you are able to do huge miles even barefoot and cold soaking, just be fit. In many other parts of the world you may die if you try it like that.
When you mentioned that you could eat whatever you want; you reminded me of when I was camping with my Boy Scout troop and we had twins in our troop that brought a big bag of candy and one of the twins stayed up late eating a bunch of candy and not drinking enough water so when every one got up in the morning he was very dehydrated and vomiting
40+ years ago, I bought a Svea 123 white gas stove, (think small blow torch) being 16 or so and not reading the instructions I overfilled it and then lit it causing liquid gas and vapor come out at once causing about a two foot fireball on the ground beside a lake. I ran over grabbed two longer sticks picked it up and threw it in the lake and immediately went in and removed it with only a small ( sq foot or so) oil spill. had it been later in the year I could have lit the forest on fire. so dont be me, read the instructions.
I also highly recommend keeping a bandana with you. It’s lightweight and multi-purpose; if you’re purifying your water with Iodine tablets or a Steri-pen, you can hold a bandana over the mouth of your water bottle when you fill it to filter particles of dirt, leaves, etc. out. On hot days, it’s nice to dip a bandana in a cold creek and keep it on your neck/head, and in true Boy Scout fashion, you’ll be prepared to fashion a sling if need be, in case of any unfortunate *accidents.* You can also use it as a dish towel, and the list goes on. Bandana=handy.
A couple things: 1. Mileage can be super deceiving, so do thorough research on the trail you're doing so you know what to expect. 5 Miles on a flat dirt trail is completely different from 5 miles of steep, rocky scrambling. 2. Bring trash bags and gallon ziplock bags. They're super helpful for waterproofing and organizing your gear
I hit the trail with a ton of questions, but I never found Alotta. Jokes aside, I bring extra socks and underwear, at least. I know the "don't bring extra clothes" was mostly meant for other items, but I like a clean change when finally getting to camp, especially for those extra hot days. You said, "I wish I had known all smelly stuff needs to go in the bear cannister". Did something happen? Close encounter? For most common hiking, especially in warm weather, you don't need crazy big tough boots. Lots of people buy these big hiking boots, and then take them backpacking without even breaking them in, then their feet end up killing. Also, when your legs get tired, and you have a lot of weight on your back, you will be more likely to trip with giant clod hoppers on your feet of a size to which you're not accustomed. Tripping with a big 'ol pack on your back is not as much fun as one would prefer. I wear breathable hiking shoes or athletic shoes which I have broken in and am comfortable with. Bring the comfort medications you might not think about, such as a heartburn remedy. Along with eating the foods you aren't used to comes the potential heartburn. You do not want to be up all night in heartburn agony after a long day hiking, and with more hiking potentially ahead of you. At least bring some baking soda, as that can be used for multiple things, including heartburn (mix in water; speak with your doctor first for all medical advice). Backup water filters, like a Life Straw, are a very smart decision. If you are in a bear heavy area, do not leave food in your vehicle at the trailhead. Tell someone where you are going, and for how long you will be there. Give consideration to where items are in your pack. Keep water, food, med kit, and anything else you may want access to along the trail in easy to access locations. If you put your snacks underneath everything else in your pack, you're gonna have a bad time....well, a less convenient time anyway. Comfortable sleep is a must for me. Aside from just making sure your sleeping pad doesn't leak, try sleeping on it before you take it on trail. With the ultralight mindset, some people really cut down their weight by getting the thinnest pad possible. I sacrifice weight in other places before I sacrifice with my sleep system. Sleep is recovery. Recovery provides physical capability and enjoyment. If I'm not sleeping well, I'm not enjoying my time. Just know yourself. I'm a side sleeper, so thinner pads don't give me what I need. An extra 2lbs for my sleeping pad is worth it to ensure I am as comfortable as I want to be. More on comfort, if you're not going to an established campsite with benches, consider a backpacking chair. Being able to sit in a comfortable chair after a long hike is really nice. I've done trips without a chair, and it's just not as enjoyable. The extra weight is worth it to me, but not everyone wants that level of comfort. Just something to consider. It sounds obvious, but time and again I've seen people pack crazy amounts of weight, and think that because they can put it on their back and walk around for several yards, they are prepared to handle the weight for 10 miles of trail. Some people are afraid to look weak. Hiking is about enjoying yourself. Yes, it's also about challenging yourself, but having too much weight isn't just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Really give yourself time with the weight and understand that after x number of miles, on a dirt/rock trail, likely with elevation climbs and drops, and likely at a higher average elevation than you're used to, that weight is going to take its toll. If you fall with all that weight on you, it can be ugly. If you twist your ankle with all that weight on you, it can be really bad. That leads me to the next two points... Get familiar with the characteristics of the trail you're going to hike, and trekking poles are not a bad idea. Trails typically have a difficulty rating, and recommendations for hiker ability. Also, find out what the incline/decline ratio is like so you know what you're in for. Many people think, "yes, it's all downhill from here", and while ascending can be more taxing than descending, hiking downhill comes with its own difficulties; this is where the poles really come in handy. Descents can be really rough on the knees with all that weight on you, and trekking poles can really help with managing the weight and your balance. I don't want to sound like a negative Nathan, but you're going out there for enjoyment. Preparing well just allows you to free your mind and body from some of the stresses that could really dampen your good times. Just trust the community and you'll be alright.
I have enjoyed backpacking for years and do a lot of day hikes as a family, but have just now gotten enough gear for my wife and all 4 kids to backcountry camp with me. Heading out on our first family trip tomorrow. 😄 The first of many great memories as a family. Bonus: I now have a BUNCH of REI rewards points to spend on more gear. 😂
Advice about food is always priceless. The only thing I would advise is not to eat anything in the wild unless you are 1000% sure it's edible.🤔 Water can be purified but some plants/animals will do damage to your stomach and ruin a trip🤢
Biggest beginner backpacker mistake I made... on my first trip ever I took a sketchy jump with my backpack on (not realizing how much off it would make my balance) and I fell off a cliff. Regardless, I'm stoked I even get to have a second trip, but I'm going to be a lot more careful next time😅 going to remember all these tips!
Reminds me that if you have to ford a river, unbuckle your waist belt and loosen your shoulder straps. Should you fall, you can slip out of the pack rather than drown.
But, also remember you probably needed that stuff. If completely losing your pack to the river is a possibility, be sure to take out of it the absolute essentials you'd need to get out from wherever you are. (There are also those who will say don't unbuckle for this reason. Opinions can vary. IMO if you pull out the essentials to uncomfortably survive your way out, that's the right tradeoff.)
On my very first wild camp, I wish I had known that closed cell foam mats are a total waste of money!! I could have just as well slept on the ground... one of the worst nights of my life. I tossed that thing in the bin the next morning, ordered the thickest air pad that I could find, and never looked back. 😂🤣 Generally, all of the information that you need is online... just go to an outdoor shop and look at all of the gear that is available, read about what it is used for, and watch videos of more experienced hikers and campers online. After doing 2-3 local overnight camps, you should have your first setup pretty much optimised for the most part.
This is a tip for the ladies. If it’s warm out, my favorite car outfit to change into is a little sun dress. Especially the ones where you don’t need to cram into a bra after being sweaty. 😅 Less to remember and super easy to change into without exposing yourself at the car! Everyone tips: Trust the water sources...carrying all that water is heavy! And if you’re crossing any streams...do NOT wear your boots. They won’t dry fast enough over night and it’s a real rude awakening lol
It all comes down to preference. Most thru hikers prefer trail shoes like Altras bc they dry much faster than a boot and they can keep moving. I prefer hiking boots bc I like the ankle support w an extra load. I know Altras do a high top version so they are on my list to try! But anyway, I always have strappy sandals packed (Tevas) bc it’s the best feeling when you get to camp to take your boots off and set everything up. Weather is always a factor...but you can wear socks w the sandals if it’s chilly. So yes, definitely annoying to change for streams. But I want my sandals for camp anyway. Light enough to be worth the weight!
Just lost my favourite shaker bottle a week ago cause the mesh ejected the bottle when I took a seat somewhere. The bottle even had a loop I didn’t want to tether it cause cumbersome disassembly. Jokes on me I’m out a water bottle. Luckily I packed my dog’s water bags in a pair.
On my AT thru, I used a brand new Big Agnes Fly Creek tent. I soon discovered that the front entry was not the way to go for a 59 year old male who needs to get up in the middle of the night to pee. I wished that I had taken it on a hike before hand. It should be noted that I did the PCT at age 19, and we used a front entry tent with no problems. Aging presents a new set of issues. Footnote: used the BA Fly Creek on the CT and loved it.
I’m about to go on my first backpacking trip this summer and this video was perfect! The tips about what to bring and what not to bring are going to be life (and back) savers! Thank you so much!
Know when sunset is and try to be at your campsite at least an hour before sundown. Dig your cathole in the evening to save time in the morning. If you plan well, evening is no hassle and morning is a breeze.
Bermuda triangle? Never heard of it! I always cook a few meters away from my tent, just incase the stove falls. Thank god the swedish bears are nice, the mean bears live in usa.
I just completed my first over night on Friday/Saturday and 13 miles. It was a fun experience. One thing I forgot that would be little weight is finger/toe nail clippers. Sure my mileage wasn’t far and my shoes fit properly but I kicked a freakin root sticking out of the ground I didn’t see and broke a nail. Didn’t realize I didn’t pack those until it was too late.
try a small swiss army knife with scissors, cuts nails dead skin, cloth band aids tape etc, much more versatile. get the one with tweezers and the tooth pick..
@@lwmartin7 the smallest one (which I keep on my key chain at all times) has scissors , file, knife blade tweezers and toothpick for about the weight of nail clippers.
yes. I own a little Swiss army 'victornix', a tiny multi tool by Gerber called a 'dime', and a rotate a few little knives. I only take 1 and a fingernail clippers. they go in a 'ditty bag' I keep my small items in. b4 each trip I pull the bag apart and update.swap out/experiment on new gear ideas.
You don't have to stink. A generous splash of Baking Soda for the pits and undercarriage and inside of boots works well, also cheap and natural. (old hunter's trick)
Great suggestion over since baking soda is useful for a lot of things. But as a call out to women don’t put this in your private areas. I let body/baby wipes dry out and only take as many as I need in a bag to keep weight light and space minimum. Dampen them in the moment with your water supply and wipe your body down - start with face then body. I also like Lume deodorant as it eats/destroys the BO creating bacteria and works even if you already smell. It can be used anywhere on your body, even privates. I transferred it to a smaller bottle from the original packaging. I think most people would suggest or agree it’s most convenient to do a wipe down once daily before changing into camp/sleep clothes or going to sleep. Full disclosure though- you will still stink and get grimy if you are out long enough and exerting yourself. Daily evening wipe downs just help provide at least some type of reset and it’s honestly nice to feel clean as you tuck into your sleeping bag.
I use a pocket shower from sea to summit and soap. It's absolutely wonderful if you can stand being cold for 5 minutes. I ensure that I make a nice hot fire before I shower.
How to start?? How to plan a trip? How to plan my first trip?? I’ve been involved in the outdoors my whole life, but I’m 19 and scared to start making it my own activity that I do independently(solo or with friends)
day trip !!! its easier, and u only bring hiking gear and food. do a longer day hike , take some friends, and practice using your gear. cook a hot meal, make it a fun (creatively). once u get the hang, do a one nighter. its fun and more ppl will join a one night trip vs a long one.
get on an app like alltrails. find a fairly popular state park with a looped trail & family campground. (stay away from the big tourist nightmare parks like yellowstone). Plan a little weekend trip in mild weather.
Try to camp on a trail that has a shelter, in case you need it. There are usually other people around if you get into trouble. And if you’re in bear country, there may be bear boxes. My first trip was on the Appalachian trail in NJ. Not crowded, but not remote.
- When snow accumulates on your tent, it can cause it to collapse. Be prepared to knock snow off the roof (from the inside of the tent) throughout the night. - A soaked tent and pack weigh considerably more. Plan accordingly. - Apples are heavy. If you're gonna carry it, eat it. - Know when sunset is and be at your campsite well before then. Things get unnecessarily complex when you only have a flashlight/headlamp as your only source of light. - Headlamps rock.
Need to work on my packing a pack skills. When I see some people unpack their gear I am like “wait, how’d you fit all that into that little pack”. It’s like they are using Hermione Granger’s purse….
I've taken tips from multiple different hiking UA-camrs. I use a pack liner to reduce use of separate stuff sacks. I put my sleep clothes in the footbox of my quilt in the bottom of the pack. I squish down the quilt as much as possible before putting my tent and food on top of it to help weigh it down. I recommend looking up packing videos by Darwin (Darwin Onthetrail) and Dixie (Homemade Wanderlust) to get some ideas.
Make sure there is extra room in your pack. If you're packing in rain or something, it might be hard to fit everything back in, in a rush...... Not using bags for my quilt& shelter, just shoving & squashing on the bottom seems to save space.
Get rid of most all the stuff sacks and extra bags and containers...saves a ton of weight and makes it easier to shove all my stuff into my 55L backpack
As to the food question, it never hurts to bring a fishing pole along to augment your nutritional needs with fish, and also learn not only which wild edibles are in season but how to identify them. That way, even if you run out of supplies, and the fish aren't biting, you can still forage.
The more I watch her the more I fall in love with her personality 💚💚 It's so me lo, anyways great video, I'm going car camping in two weeks and it'll be my first time, If anyone have tips or a suggestion please let me know.
Miranda i genuinely wish I could take a hike with you ! You have such an easy personality & genuine as well! I love your external frame pack, I thought that was so awesome to see! Happy trails!!!
Unpacking and checking your new gear, not just to familiarize yourself with it before the trip but also to make sure the damn thing works cuz it really sucks to get out on the trail and find out that the item(s) you just bought don't work or don't fit right and now you have to pack the dead weight with you for the rest of the trip. Case in point, I just purchased a Thermacell Backpacker (mosquitos can be bad here), as I always try to test my gear out before I go hiking or camping, I tested it out, seemed to work great... until I tried to shut it off, well I thought I shut it off as I did push the switch to off, came back a little later thinking it had time to cool off and I could pack it away but it turns out it did not and would not shut off. I could blow the little flame out but that didn't stop the fuel. My Backpacking trip is in just under 2 weeks so I had time to exchange it, this one so far works as it should but I will be testing it more to make sure. So test anything new you buy to familiarize yourself with it and to make sure it actually works before you hit that trail.
Careful planing is crucial and shouldn't be rushed. But check those things again right before you leave. Example: Here in the southwest, fire restrictions can go into effect at any time. This can mean fires only in fire rings already in campgrounds. It can also mean NO fires, campground or not. And always stay aware of the weather.
I think Miranda said this one before too but hike close to your house before going on a big trip. It's a lot easier doing a 15 mile trial on a familiar trail and being closed to home. Pack like its real (cause it is). Also, learn to tie a couple good knots... It's worth it.
I've been a backpacker in the Northwest for over 50 years. I think the first time I went to REI (carried by Dad) was in 1960. Our REI Coop number is in the low three-digits. All of my life I have hoped that more people would go (gracefully) into the the wild and benefit from the experience, coming back home as better, more aware, and more conscientious members of the club of all living things on earth. And happier people. Your videos are great, much appreciated. That said, I feel very strongly that the surviving "old guard" (like me, my siblings, parents and friends), should be brought into the current discourse, feeds, and flow of media related to outdoor recreation and adventure in the Northwest -- and elsewhere. We have a lot of experience, wisdom, wit, and perspectives that would be of tremendous value to those who are discovering the outdoors, the mountains, the rivers, lakes, ocean coasts, islands, and the waters of Puget Sound now. How do you think we could be best patched into the general "feed" about backpacking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, rafting, climbing, skiing, gear-shopping, and wilderness wisdom in the Northwest (and beyond)? I will wait for your reply. We need to make this happen. It matters.
Thanks for the advice about food. Nothing can ruin a hike, or even worse, an entire backpacking trip, like having diarrhea. New foods that you have never eaten before can absolutely tear up your stomach, especially if you are exerting yourself on a hike and not eating proper foods. It's also why I try to eat snacks throughout the day, as well as make sure I have some breakfast before a long day of hiking. Some lessons we have to learn the hard way :)
Thanks so much, Miranda for giving valuable insight into beginner backpacking mistakes. I've been backpacking (off and on) for over 40 years and still feel I have SO much to learn! Backpacking equipment has come a long ways in the past 40 years thanks to innovative people sharing their knowledge. My husband and I have have upgraded so much of our equipment through REI. It's unfortunate that some of my most recent purchases were from other companies since REI is discontinuing so many brands like NEMO. I always check REI first but if they don't have what I'm looking for, I go to other Internet websites to purchase my equipment.
That belch! Sounded even better because you ducked under that table and that intensified the sound! I'm impressed!! ... Also, I think it *reassuring* to know that we can still bring the wrong things (your food example was good!). I really enjoy these Miranda videos!!
You can put a big trash bag in your backpack before packing in everything to make sure that everything in there stays dry in case of a downpour! Just make sure to fold the top so water can’t get in anywhere!
I was caught in a over 3 hour thunderstorm in Yosemite last month and this kept everything dry. Would have had to go home if my sleeping bag and sleeping clothes had gotten wet.
Good idea to carry two or three extras black trash bags. You can make rain gear out of them too and if you pick up garby along the trail, everyone will love you!
Taking canned soup for dinner was probably my biggest mistake, although since it was just an overnighter it wasn't too bad, just way heavier than it needed to be, and opening a can with a Swiss army knife is a PITA. And nearly setting my hair on fire while lighting my stove.
Before I became ancient and had to quit backpacking we usually planned out 7-9 miles a day for a week long trip in the Sierra. We found that made the trip more relaxing and less of a "forced march".
The bringing one thing to do at camp is great advice. Just sitting and enjoying nature is great, but I bring my Nintendo Switch on every backpacking trip. I don't use it every night but I've found that it's fantastic to break out at a populated campsite. I bring an extra pair of joycons so multiple other people can play with me and I've made so many friends just playing random Switch games with people at camp.
One piece of advice I've heard from a family member - whittle your stuff down, then add ONE luxury item. Could be an inflatable pillow, etc. My family member chose the biggest backpacking towel she could find, considerably bigger than it "had" to be. And she didn't regret the extra bulk or weight.
Important! Cook with the stove BEFORE you leave! in order to make sure you have the right kind of fuel! and know how to work the stove successfully. Consider a wind screen for your stove. Some people goof up and buy the wrong fuel! Amazing but true!
Can I youst add that's it's weary important to know how to read terrain. Example flood areas, swamp areas, widow-makers, snake pits, tick fields, how the terrain is shaped and how is it going to affect what kind of shelter you can set up / if you can even sleep there etc. Also you can use hand sanitizer instead of deodorant works much better
Yes we all are beginners at one point, but if we put our kids through the lessons of the out doors in their growing years, it'll stick with them for life. Thank you scouts! Plus we did a 2 week canoe trip our final year, did we ever stink coming out of the bush haha still have my gear from those days and about to use it this week! Remember always leave your camping area cleaner than when you found it!
Make sure that your in- camp shoes cover your toes. SHarp stones, falling stuff, sharp thorns from the pine cones, poison ivy, sumac, stinging insects, etc. all can ruin your feet in camp. So use covered, but airy, camp shoes. Protect your greatest asset! And earplugs!
Great video! Fun to watch :) I got the benefit of learning A LOT from my sister, who backpacked the PCT and shared with me all of her knowledge (and mistakes) so that I was much better equipped to begin as a beginner, feeling way more confident and capable than I would’ve otherwise. One top takeaway from her was minimizing my load; I very quickly dropped the weight of my gear by being intentional with what I invited into or changed about my kit. Also, speaking of unsolicited product plugging: I looooove love love my Kula Cloth!!!! It’s a small anti-microbial cloth for anyone who squats when they pee! Super convenient, no TP to deal with and good for the environment. One of my biggest pet peeves as an outdoors person is seeing TP left behind in the wild... @&%#*!? Just no, humans! LNT. Leave No Trace! ....Use a Kula! :D
Getting boots bigger than you think,...lost 2 toenails going down trail. Look at map carefully for landforms,... end of day set up camp next to a swamp, mosquito hell!. I would have set up 1 hr earlier. Getpoles for big hikes, balance better, no hand swelling
Hey friends! What mistakes did you make as a beginner backpacker? If you are still a beginner, what questions do you have? Comment below! - Miranda
I can definitely relate to "how to use this gear". I got an REI flash 2 and set it up before, but when I did a tiny 10 mile 1 night trip on the AT, I had no idea how to pitch it on uneven ground ;-;
For our first wild camp I bought sleeping pads for myself and my husband that were wayyyy too narrow. Needless to say we spent most of that night on the tent floor. I think I got like 2 hrs of sleep...
newbee here, what pass get the most bang for the buck? started adventuring and am finding that 10bucks a pop is really starting to add up.
appreciate ya!
In recent videos, you missed out on environmentally friendly soap and said we don't need a GPS tracker or satellite phone if we went somewhere without cellular service. I really appeciate your videos and I'd appreciate it even more if you corrected your mistakes.
The biggest mistake I made was not doing enough research before I bought my gear. Ended up spending way more money then I needed on gear that just didn't work for me :(
In the summer, when it stays light late, I like to stop and make supper, and then hike for awhile before setting up camp. This keeps the bears back there.
I'll do the same thing, but if we are setting up a base camp we'll use for several days I usually like to make a "cook camp" about a hundred yards away from our tents where we store all the foodstuff and cookware.
Oooo that's so smart!
Ants are worse than bears. Making supper in a place different than you set up camp really is a wise choice
That’s so smart!! I had never thought of doing that, but it makes a lot of sense.
I do that too and the added benefit is ya get to rest at supper and clock some extra miles before setting up camp.
Stop and smell the roses. First time I went backpacking I was so stressed about getting to my chosen destination that I forgot to enjoy the views and just nature in general.
Nah fam ain't no roses on dis trail yo, only petunias n I hate dat scent
I have a friend like that. No matter the hike, she goes a minimum of 4ish miles per hour with her head down. Whereas im stopping to take photos and enjoy the scenery. We both may as well be hiking alone as much as we are hiking together.
@@kiltman13
honestly that's the best part of going alone, just do whatever you want whenever you want and no one to say otherwise
Yes I agree too many people are all about the distance and for all they see and enjoy the scenery they may as well be on a treadmill at home
Careful of bees tho... I've had bad experiences 🙄
Walk excruciatingly slowly your first km or so each day, then stop and stretch. It gives you an opportunity to feel out your pack and shoes and body and make any adjustments you might need to make before getting seriously into it. Long-haired folks, always bring extra extra elastic bands. Say Hi to everyone you pass, but mind your own business - they didn't come all the way out here to talk to you.
Bring a pair of flip flops or comfortable shoes or slippers. There is nothing better than letting your tired feet breath after a long day walking.
Truly one of the only situations where Crocs are acceptable
@@EveryDayCharlie crocks+membrane socks+membrane pants are superior wading gear. I did insane crossings in that setup.
After searching for the perfect camp shoe for 5 years, I think I finally found the holy grail. I was looking for light, durable, comfortable, good for water crossings, breathable, and pack down small. Seems like the very best shoes out there only tick a few of those boxes. But I recently supported a kickstarter for pair of what are basically stretch socks with the sole covered in heavy duty rubber. They came a couple months ago, and they appear to cover all the bases really well. They weigh less than half what Crocs weigh, are SUPER comfy and breathable, and you can roll them up, so they pack down tiny. They also have good traction when wet, though I haven't worn them on a crossing yet, so I can't say for sure how they'd do.
They're called Skinners 2.0, if you want to look them up. they appear to be available for regular sale now.
@@EveryDayCharlie crocs are always acceptable
One of my favorite physical feelings ever is freeing my feet after a long snowshoe, hike, or backpack trip.
I love all this advice! The only thing I disagree with that is *completely* up to personal preference is I heard the advice to skip deodorant so many times but after my first couple of trips I realized I hated feeling that stinky and a travel size of deodorant (and a nightly “trail shower” with a baby wipe) made me feel a WORLD better on the trail and was what worked for me so I’ve done it on every trip since. Also I don’t bring an extra change of hiking clothes (obviously dry clothes exclusively for sleeping are important to stay dry and warm at night) but a spare pair of dry hiking socks when you’re hiking in a rainy region can make a world of difference for morale! Long story short: hike your own hike! ☺️
so true
When I have "finished" a stick of antiperspirant, I break out what's left (it's quite a lot really), put it in a ziplock snack baggy and have plenty for a week for just a few grams. Worth it to me.
There are several biodegradable wipes that can be both, your TP and shower.
I don't care about the smell, but chafing can become a issue. I'm a 250 lb Man. Deodorant does help with this issue. A must for me is to carry a small tub of Petroleum Jelly, and Sure roll on Powder deodorant. Petroleum Jelly will stop sweat from sitting on your skin and cause chaffing. ( Legs/thighs rubbing, underwear, underarms, or other.) Sweat can cause you to start chafing. You need to wash the area of skin and then apply deodorant - non spray on, Petroleum Jelly, change to dry clothing before the area of skin starts to swell and becomes a rash. Sleep that night without any clothes and apply baby powder if you have it. The next day make sure to apply something like Sure Powder roll on deodorant or petroleum jelly over the areas. Nothing is worse than Chafing and not being able to walk.
Re: change of clothes - Bring different clothes to sleep in. You will be warmer and more comfortable sleeping in dry clothes rather than sleeping in your sweat. I'll have one shirt, pants, underwear, and socks to hike in, and one fresh shirt and underwear (and socks during the cold seasons) to sleep in.
I completely agree with this.
how long of a trip is this okay for? I was invited on a four day backpacking hike- it seems like a long time to wear the same clothes...
@@angelarichardson7281 thru-hikers will use this method. But 4 days is fine in one set of clothes. The idea is to reduce your weight and bulk. you can always rinse the sweat out your shirt in a stream or lake.
@@matthewsinger Oh that makes sense! Thank you!
Yeah this is probably not true for most people. The majority of warmth comes from overall layers and your sleep system, your sweat is negligible.
Hike at your own pace. Do not try to keep up with those who are faster or taller than you. You'll end up with blisters and/or shin splints.
The slowest person in the group should set the pace! Don't be embarrassed to tell others that you need a break or that they're going too fast.
I would add to this that groups should try to keep a general eye on each other, in the case of injury. Pair up with someone similar to your pace if possible, and always have your own map. It helps if the slowest get started hiking first, so faster hikers will be able to help if something goes wrong on the trail ahead
and or broken ankles. Good tip
That.
As a beginner, I packed my fears, and "just in case"'s. No, you won't need that full handle axe, just in case you want a fire and need to chop down a tree. (No, I didn't, but just sayin'). Look closely at everything you think you'll need, and take away about a third of it. Although Miranda mentioned changing clothes, and don't take a change of clothes, I would caveat that with DO take at least one extra pair of socks, and undies. And, DO take a set of sleep clothes that are weather/climate/season appropriate. For me, that's a sleeveless Tee in Fall/Summer/Spring, and in Winter a baselayer set. Also, be sure to take an appropriate shelter for the season/weather you're expecting to backpack in. IOW, if you're a beginner, don't take a tarp to camp in the dead of Winter with snow in the forecast, and conversely, don't take a Winter mountaineering tent in the dead of Summer. Also, if you can get to an REI or equivalent to look at tents, by all means get inside the tent. See how easy it is to get into/out of, and most importantly, how much room you have inside that particular tent. And finally, what she didn't mention, but what I consider VERY important: you foot wear and care. You need a pair of shoes that fit about a half size larger than you actual foot, or that has a wide toe box. Either one will let your foot swell, without giving you blisters. And if you do develop what's called a hot spot, attend to it immediately, or you'll regret it. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a foot blister, or ill fitting shoes.
I like dehydrated meals (I grew up camping with my dad so I’m used to them) but my biggest food advice is- TRY IT FIRST. I have allergies and ibs so I buy an extra meal if I want to try a new type of backpacking meal I buy an extra and cook it at home. So if the mushroom risotto makes me sick, I can be sick from the comfort of my bed and with easy access to my toilet.
This is good advice. My stomach hates most commercial dehydrated food and I end up with gas and/or stomach cramps after a day of eating it. It won't stop you in your tracks, but it can make for a really uncomfortable trip. Always try the food out before you go and you can do a lot with instant rice and a few simple ingredients.
THIS COMMENT^^^...THIS COMMENT SO HARD!!!! I learned what foods to stay away from when I'm from home. Lol
- Warm up a bottle in the stove and put it inside the sleeping bag.
- Do light excersise before getting into the sleeping bag so you body is warmed up
- Learn the R values in the sleeping mats and what you need depending on the temperatures over the night. (most of the heat escapes through the floor)
- Check the topography to see where is best convenient (and flat) place to rest for the night
- High waterproof rating (mm) is cool for your tarp, but you are still in danger of getting wet if you don't set your tarp taking in mind how the water will flow when it rains.
I'd add to that, stretch as much as you can (slowly, holding stretches, none of that bouncy stuff) before you get out of your sleeping bag. Then you won't be tempted to skip any stretching before starting out.
Okay, here goes. I spent so much time stressing out dealing with critters that I forgot about something else much more dangerous .... and thus, my first-time and foremost mistake was not interpreting the weather forecast properly. Hot Tip: If it says it will rain in the valley [4,500 Ft] or a "couple of hours" that might [i.e. WILL] look a LOT different up a mountain at 7,000 Ft. .... In fact, it looked like 10+ inches of sleet and snow accumulating on the tent - coming down hard for hours and hours never stopping - my husband and I were pushing it off the tent [whaking the roof from time to time from inside] all night ... then, the snow would slide off and it pushed the vestibules of the tent inward ... so, then we then experienced condensation and wetness, freezing temperatures. Despite not having any cellular service, we were eventually able to get a text out to a family member who we had told exactly where we were [we did that right] and who was able to get his 4 wd truck up a narrow snowy mountain road about 1 mile from us - then, he hiked in with a shovel to help unbury our tent, and assist getting us back down to the truck. This could have had a much worse outcome - but, in the end, we had a GREAT learning experience, and now we have a fun dramatic story to tell of our first backpacking adventure into the woods. But yeah, PLEASE be sure to pay attention to the WEATHER before venturing out! P.S. Miranda, if you haven't already, do a video talking all about handling weather conditions! :)
Yes, the RESTING! Story time: I went camping this summer in Texas in July (I know, smart idea), and tried to cover 10 miles in one day. For me, that's not normally a lot, unless you're carrying 20+ pounds of stuff on your back the whole time. At around mile 7 with no rests, I was feeling good, until I just got this wave of heat exhaustion that nearly made me pass out. I hadn't stopped to eat anything or to rest my feet the entire time, and I nearly passed out on the trail. My head was swirling and I was so nauseous I thought I'd throw up. Luckily, I found a bench and I laid down to relieve the headache.
Even if you're trying to hit 10 or 15 miles in one day on the trail guys, and even if you're stopping briefly to drink water, you should still sit down for maybe 15 minutes for every hour of hiking. It's a strenuous activity.
i’ve grown up in texas my whole life and the heat is no joke, i’ve had a couple run ins with heat exhaustion both in tx and colorado
Man, same thing over here in Georgia. Not quite as hot out here, but the humidity will ruin you if you don't take regular breaks. Glad you ended up being okay, dude!
get you someone who looks at you the way Miranda looks at her bear canister
One thing that I think you should speak on is nighttime, for some and newbie’s it can be a foreign thing to be in the middle of the woods at night. You hear a twig snap, and crap it’s a mountain lion. Sharing tips on how to relax your mind outside is hugely helpful, so many people live in areas where there is no nature sounds anymore. How to deal with that fear of bears, mountain lions at night, it prevents quite a few people from even trying the outdoors. And no, I don’t mean carrying a firearm for all of those about to suggest that. For me, I grew up in the country, camping most summers, I’m used to it, but so,times it’s hard to explain to people who’ve never been how to relax at night and enjoy it.
Jeremy is so right. The first time I went backpacking, I jumped at every sound. But my buddy just said "there's nothing out there at night that isn't out there during the day. " Although that's not exactly right, it did help me relax.
Have you ever slept in a new house or apartment? It feels weird. There are different sounds. Backpacking is the same. Plus, there are dangers and you have to be aware of them and do what you need to do to prevent issues. For instance, I don't sleep outside in grizzly country. EVER. Black bears. Okay. Cougars. Alright. Grizzlies. NO. So, I think the most helpful thing might be to educate people about what to do to avoid potential issues. Like cooking downwind. Or like the person who prepares their food and then hikes to their campsite. That's smart!
I agree, and a lot of new campers/backpackers might find this difficult. If you know where you're camping, maybe look up online the sounds of different animals in that area. I went camping last weekend and we were all awakened by bloodcurdling screeching and yips nearby and my companions were freaked. They all calmed down pretty quickly when I assured them it was just a fox. But it reminded me of when I was new to camping and the sounds of field mice would keep me awake.
My first backpacking trip was to Yosemite National Park to summit Half Dome. Where I live I hear coyotes a lot. But in all honesty, I had gone with friends that had done this hike 2 years in a row, so I wasn’t that worried about any noises. I just crashed out
So everything is fine but you can't relax at night? Two words--Jack Daniels. And that hard ground feels softer. You might not even need a sleeping pad any more.
I love Miranda’s videos. Whenever I’m feeling sad, I can watch one of her videos and she is guaranteed to make me laugh ❤️
Yes. Me 2
IF you have the luxury of time, TEST YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOU GO. practice with it, learn how to set it up AND Break it back down and store it.
when I get a new piece of kit I take it out in the back yard and play with it till I understand it, I break it, or it breaks me.
One thing I learned the hard way is that any bag that may have had food in it at one time will still attract animals. Also, animals will eat soap. We had to tie all our gear up 10 feet into a tree because the racoons were chewing holes in our expensive backpacks that had NO food inside.
My best tip is to carry doggie bags to pick up tp/ wipes! Even biodegradable wipes take a long time to break down. Super easy to just pick up with a dog poop bag and add to your trash.
Yes, always carry your trash out. Try not to burn your garbage in the campfire each night. :)
sames. i don't even have a doggo but will grab those out randomly when i feel like getting a free bag or 3 for these reasons.
And you could use the dog bags that are made from corn starch that are biodegradable 😃
Great advice. My favorite thing to do with beginner backpackers is to have a packing party beforehand - so if you're new consider asking your experienced friend to go through your pack with you a few days before the trip.
Camping parties (even in one's backyard or a local park) invite everyone who's going and others for the fun of sharing. Experienced folks who aren't going can tell stories of how they "almost died on the trail" and newbies can actually camp with minimal risk thus have more fun.
Wow I was a beginner backpacker 50 yrs ago.... You know back when hiking boots weighed 4lbs each (before you put snoseal on them), sleeping bags were 10lbs and tents about 15lbs. That being said I got back into backpacking about 4 yrs ago after a 20yrs hiatus and my how things have changed. My first over night included a 45lb pack. I had every thing you could think of including 3 changes of clothes, a hammock, 4 days worth of food ( could not make up my mind as to what I would want to eat)..... it was painful. I have since evolved to all the new standards.... Plus I hike with my Cattledog so I hike his hike not mine.
DO NOT hike through joint pains. They get worse, then you cant get home 😆 speaking from experience here...
oh no that sounds like too memorable of a trip
Does Nsaid help with the joint pain for hiking? I found exercise a great balm for joint pain; usually Nsaid helps tremendously. Walking sticks are curcial.
Adding to this: Seriously, hiking with crutches and all your gear is a lot harder than it may look and is not a good idea unless you are REALLY used to crutches. Even then. Really difficult. Yup. (European crutches obviously. I don't think under the arm ones would work at all)
Mistakes I made:
- Take waaay too much food and like 3 Liters of water when you have almost constant access to fresh water.
- Overpacking, you really do pack your fears. As you get more confident in your abilities your pack will automatically get lighter.
- Not walking at my own pace. If you are slow, be slow. Take your breaks if you need them. Trying to keep up with others that are fitter, just walk faster or have longer legs is only going to make you miserable and may lead to you having to tap out early or even abort the trip.
Tips:
- Start breaking in your hiking shoes early. I.e. wear them as your day to day shoes at least for a week if you can. You hardly notice it that way and it will make your first hike so much better.
- Bring a Swiss Army Knife or Multitool. It will save your butt on so many occasions. As for SAK, the Minichamp is a must-have, it's so light and tiny and has such a nice variation of tools. For the bigger knives I recommend the Camper or Huntsman or if you can pack a bit bigger one with a locking blade, the Outrider. Multitools are way heavier than a SAK but it depends on personal preference what you bring.
- Bring at least three ways to start a fire. Either three (quality) lighters, ideallyone packed waterproof. But if you like to experiment, a Ferro rod or a Fresnel lens will work too. Also be sure to bring some tinder and keep that dry too. And for Pete's sake: be careful and obey local regulations regarding making a fire.
- Don't forget to bring at least a small first aid kit.
- And last: have fun, enjoy nature and carry out what you carried back in, leave no trace.
"Makes me sound like a moron, and that's fine" - story of my life
Note: Back country pit toilets will NOT have toilet paper. Had seven boy scouts on 5-day trip and every one of them missed line on check list that said "toilet paper".
Lesson learned by All
I only bring TP as a backup. There’s plenty of natures wipes in the wilderness!
@@benjaminziegler3751 agree.....a smooth stone works great and no need to pack out nasty tp
I lit my jet boil in my tent to make coffee one morning... burnt a 4” whole in the door mesh!
Also good tips for multiple day trips:
- don't lite a camp fire if you don't need it. If you do, don't cut down large green things. Find small dead limbs you can break easily, and peel the bark off. You'll need to tend the fire more often, but it will teach you how to build safe, effective camp fires that don't produce much smoke.
- learn how to properly wear and load your backpack with your chosen gear. Wearing yourself out with an improperly balanced and/or secured load will beat you up long before you get to camp
- lightweight items for entertainment: cards, frisbee, book, earbuds, ultra light packraft
- avoid fresh food. Food with water weight is heavy, so limit this luxury to a pound or two, and take things that are durable (apples, oranges, carrots)
- avoid bringing extra clothes (as mentioned in the video) with one exception: socks. They're reasonably lightweight, and having a fresh pair for the next day (allowing you to wash AND dry your alternate pair), will make your trek much more enjoyable. I typically carry 3 pairs. If you get your feet wet during a creek crossing or in the rain, this can save your feet big time.
- get a headlamp. They're lightweight and are great for handsfree tasks, like setting up camp, making dinner, etc
- if hiking in a group, always have two or more water filters. If one fails you'll still be able to get good water
- invest in good lghtweight foul weather gear, and consider getting a rain cover for your pack. Rain in the mountains happens often and you don't want to be wet and miserable
- break in your backpacking shoes before your hike, or purchase footwear that doesn't require much break in. Finding out that a shoe doesn't fit well or rubs weird will make your trip painful
- bring a good pair of sunglasses for high uv days
- bring a lightweight hat for sun protection
- invest in good quickdry pants and a couple shirts. Being able to dry your clothing quickly is important for sweat and rain. Nothing worse than hiking the next day in soggy clothing
- basic first aid and ace bandage for joint stabilization
- a sleeping bag and pad that will keep you warm and comfy. This is one area you really don't want to try to shave too much weight. Sleeping soundly on a good air mat in a bag that keeps you toasty will keep you better rested and aid recovery
Thank you for taking the time to write all this, as a wannabe backpacker, I hadn't considered at least half of these. Great points and a very nice read!
Great advice! Also, practice the knots you need to know while out there. I ended up with a bear bag hanging kit my first trip and had no idea how to tie a clove hitch to actually do a proper PCT hang... ooops
I learned the hard way to always carry my tp in a ziplock. Water spilled onto mine & it was a thick glob of tp, completely useless. And trust me, there is no way to dry it out!
Backcountry bidet!
@@ranedeer3743 I have one
That's why they call it "mountain money!"
Bit of advice... Do some decent research on the trail and area you're going to. Had an overnight a few weeks ago I just assumed there would be a place to camp (there wasn't...) And didn't know what the trail was made of. In this case it was crushed limestone. That made it feel and act like concrete. There is a VAST difference how your feet deal with 20 miles of dirt trail and 20 miles of concrete.
Yup! I will definitely change my mileage/footwear depending on if the terrain is sandy vs hard packed dirt vs rocky.
I did a day hike that had a TON of large broken stone. Feet never hurt so bad. totally changed how I consider rock vs dirt trails.(Advil /vitamit a is a real need, protect those feet!!!)
I totally agree with using your gear before your first trip! My husband and I are avid hikers and aspiring backpackers. Most of our Christmas presents this year were backpacking items. We haven't gotten packs yet as we were waiting to see how much gear we had to figure out sizing, yada yada lol. It seems silly that we have all our gear and haven't backpacked yet, but it's actually been a great opportunity to get to use our gear in low stakes settings. At this point we've used all of our gear and are pretty familiar with it. We've taken our cooking set up day hiking and tested it out multiple times, and we recently just camped in a campground at a state park with all of our gear and it was such a good learning opportunity...i.e. we forgot our trekking poles for our tent and had to find branches - but I was so glad we went through that after only an hour car ride and not a few hours of hiking! lol It's good peace of mind to know that we won't have to worry about being comfortable with our gear on our first trip.
I trail run rather than hike. Go out in the worst weather and test your clothes to failure. You need to know exactly how long it takes for a rain shell to soak out, if your "water proof" shoes are, if you're going to be heatstroking in a certain t-shirt.
I'll spend 2 hours out in the rain just abusing my clothes to see if I hate them or not.
Great advice that I took. I just did 2.5 miles fully dressed in full sun and heat, just to see how these thing breathe. Wife thinks I'm crazy
THIS!!!!
Reviews of gear isn't enough, even the best companies have the occasional issue.
What’s the general rule of thumb about who had the right away on trails? I’ve seen so many trail runners go prancing down a trail not giving hikers or backpackers the right away. What’s with that? And on the trail I always thought trail runners yield to backpackers no matter terrain. Any insight would be helpful.
@@Ialmostcutmyhair slower traffic always has the right of way. I will always ask to pass when the slower traffic is COMFORTABLE. At certain high traffic National Parks there's users of all ages and ability levels. I would hate to make a 70 year old fall because I'm to impatient to slow down for a few steps.
@@Ialmostcutmyhair slow traffic should always yield to fast, downhill traffic should yield to uphill traffic unless the downhill is so steep that slowing down will mean falling
Pay attention to the temperature! I live in the desert and during the summer it's only nice to hike from twilight until about 11:00. Then it's too hot to carry on until the evening. You're working hard, so don't overexert yourself in the heat. It's not comfortable and it's definitely not safe.
During your midday break, you can rest, take photos, identify plants, birdwatch, chow down, or whatever. Just find some shade to do it in! Be sure to bring a headlamp since you'll probably want to start hiking right at the crack of dawn. And water is heavy, so if you're backpacking near a dependable water source, bring a water purifying system with you.
A deck of cards is a compact, low tech entertainment system.
A std deck of cards weights approx 96grams, or about 3.4 ounces. Too much extra wght for some, but less weight than many alternatives.
For me, they get used 80% of the time.
Nonetheless, weight is factor for all backpackers. A good Mantra to keep in mind when packing your pack:
"As yards become miles, ounces become pounds."
A deck of cards is heavy though. Too much weight.
We have a UL chess board. A small vinyl mat and checker like pieces.
My sister just went a couple weeks ago to get outfitted for the REI adventure trip to lake Jackson in August, and there was another customer there getting outfitted for the Kilimanjaro trip TWO DAYS before their flight out! Miranda and other UA-camrs were so helpful when I started getting into backpacking, and I’m glad I started watching them and getting familiar with my gear nearly a year before my first big trip...
I will tell my camping kayaking friends you said its ok to be my weird cringey self. Thanks best info ever
As a relatively experienced backpacker, I cannot stress enough the message about trying a new (or in my case an old food I have never enjoyed) food on a trip.
I have despised porridge since I can first remember being served and forced to eat 'ready brek' (instant oatmeal/porridge) at 5 years old.
That said, I know it's a really great breakfast full of energy for a big hike and it's really easy to store and prepare, so when I went on a canoe expedition, I bought the most bougie instant oats I could find and figured I'd tough it out.
I was *extremely* glad I'd packed extra dinner meals for emergencies (it was an extremely remote exped). I tried the porridge on day one and managed to force down 2 bites before I decided I'd need to be literally about to die of starvation before I'd eat another bite of porridge in my life. I ended up having dinner for breakfast for two mornings, and on the last day I toughed it out until we hit a service stop on the drive home.
It's not worth it guys, pack food you know you'll enjoy.
you sound extremely high maintenance
@@lyndajones1133 why?
I go on my first backpacking trip this Thursday so this was timely. Thanks for the reminder about car clothes!
And have some extra bottles of water or Gatorade in there waiting for you. Throw them in a cold cooler if you’re able!
@@jeffpeters5347 I usually leave a litre of water in the car for after the hike. I never leave anything sweet or smelly in case of animals (i normally do 2-5 night hiking trips).
Add a few wet-wipes to your car bag for a quick clean up.
How did it go?!
Yes! Sunday morning! Prepping for a hike & drinking some coffee while we get to listen to Miranda! Friggin epic 😎
Great video, thanks! Laughed a lot. I've been backpacking for years now and just made another first mistake this month. Have had a new puppy for about a year now and he's really well acclimated to life around the house and yard. We set off on his first backpack trip a few weeks ago, having a blast (mostly on leash) till we got to the campsite area. He's roaming around scoping things out nice and chill. Dinner's cooked, sun's setting, and out come the mosquitos. Time to dive into the tent. Nope, not for Flynn. Too much scary, not going in. Keep in mind he was exhausted from all the new things that day, but there my wife and I were laying in our sleeping bags trying to coax him in for like 30 minutes. He wanted no part of it. Meanwhile, his face was getting blasted by mosquitos and we're trying not to let them all in. Finally I got up, went out, picked him up and tossed him into the tent. He immediately laid down and crashed out. So, yeah, some pups might freak about going into a tent for the first time. Set it up in the back yard so they can explore ahead of time. Rest of trip was excellent--the next night he was the first one in setting up shop on thermarests and down bags. ;) Now the kayak is in the back yard for him to explore.... maybe tomorrow he gets his first kayak ride on the lake!
I know this comment is 9 months later, but how did he like his first kayak trip?
did You make sure your puppy could swim before you went Kayaking? Some are terrified of the water. I had a golden retriever and he hated the water. He also hated to fetch anything, We thought that was funny, we tried lots of time to fetch anything nope he wanted no part of that. He loved to walk and loved adventures. He loved car rides. Thanks for your video .
@@Nyx916 just saw this! He did pretty well but took him some time to understand getting on the thing was no big deal. He likes to swim! His newest terror is an auto-watering bowl that gurgles air bubbles as the various pets around the house casually slurp up the water. His little brain can't fathom. Sweet boy still, though.
I have three young daughters, 7, 5, and 1. We went on a massive camping trip last month. I loved my solo trips, but am excited to show them. As a recent single mother, your channel has given me a lot of encouragement and information. I felt close to being confined to a campsite. But I can still do my solo trips and continue to learn. And eventually start bringing my girls! My oldest wants to do winter camping this year. Send me any info you have on that! 😂
Carrying a bunch of apples! They seem like a good self-contained fresh thing, but I don't love them, and they get bruised and they're super heavy. And when I don't eat them by the end of the trip and realize I've carried dumb, heavy apples for 10+ miles I get grumpy at the apples...and it's not their fault!
Love apples as hiking food. I actually look forward to chomping on them after a long hike.🤪
That goes for most fresh fruit and veg on any trip longer than a few days. They're mostly water after all.
it's fun you hold your tongue with 2 fingers and say "apples"
Beginner backpackers need to know that just because they've spent 1000s on High End gear, doesn't mean they're doing things "Properly" compared to someone using thrift store gear.
Don't be a gear snob and, arguably just as important, don't be put off by gear snobs. 👍 Find kit that works for you. 💗
If you talk USA, it's really more up to skills than gear. I dare you try doing Brazeau Loop with thrift gear, it will be a story to tell your grandkids.
@@mezmerya5130 Canada? People have been doing huge hikes for 1000s of years. Some doing huge miles just in Keds and a canvas sack. Someone using older gear that knows what they're doing will be fine. Someone with no clue what they're doing, even with the latest gear, will be screwed.
But I assume that's what you meant.
trying out your gear in a backyard is 100% on point. sleep in your tent, try on those clothes, use your stove and yes, eat a dehydrated meal. pack and repack your pack. you'll b sooooo much happier fixing small things at home rather then forgetting tp or sunscreen. realize that a dumb 'sitpad' is not dumb but a real real nice item while sitting on the ground for hours at camp and in the am.
@@linedwell No, i mean, that during one that hike you will get ankle deep mud, hip deep snow and more than one knee deep crossing. And all that at close to 0c temperature. I exactly said that in usa climate and infrastructure you are able to do huge miles even barefoot and cold soaking, just be fit. In many other parts of the world you may die if you try it like that.
Agree! My tent is from ebay and it works great! But I do say don't skimp on backpack tho.
When you mentioned that you could eat whatever you want; you reminded me of when I was camping with my Boy Scout troop and we had twins in our troop that brought a big bag of candy and one of the twins stayed up late eating a bunch of candy and not drinking enough water so when every one got up in the morning he was very dehydrated and vomiting
40+ years ago, I bought a Svea 123 white gas stove, (think small blow torch) being 16 or so and not reading the instructions I overfilled it and then lit it causing liquid gas and vapor come out at once causing about a two foot fireball on the ground beside a lake. I ran over grabbed two longer sticks picked it up and threw it in the lake and immediately went in and removed it with only a small ( sq foot or so) oil spill. had it been later in the year I could have lit the forest on fire. so dont be me, read the instructions.
I also highly recommend keeping a bandana with you. It’s lightweight and multi-purpose; if you’re purifying your water with Iodine tablets or a Steri-pen, you can hold a bandana over the mouth of your water bottle when you fill it to filter particles of dirt, leaves, etc. out. On hot days, it’s nice to dip a bandana in a cold creek and keep it on your neck/head, and in true Boy Scout fashion, you’ll be prepared to fashion a sling if need be, in case of any unfortunate *accidents.* You can also use it as a dish towel, and the list goes on. Bandana=handy.
A couple things:
1. Mileage can be super deceiving, so do thorough research on the trail you're doing so you know what to expect. 5 Miles on a flat dirt trail is completely different from 5 miles of steep, rocky scrambling.
2. Bring trash bags and gallon ziplock bags. They're super helpful for waterproofing and organizing your gear
I hit the trail with a ton of questions, but I never found Alotta.
Jokes aside, I bring extra socks and underwear, at least. I know the "don't bring extra clothes" was mostly meant for other items, but I like a clean change when finally getting to camp, especially for those extra hot days.
You said, "I wish I had known all smelly stuff needs to go in the bear cannister". Did something happen? Close encounter?
For most common hiking, especially in warm weather, you don't need crazy big tough boots. Lots of people buy these big hiking boots, and then take them backpacking without even breaking them in, then their feet end up killing. Also, when your legs get tired, and you have a lot of weight on your back, you will be more likely to trip with giant clod hoppers on your feet of a size to which you're not accustomed. Tripping with a big 'ol pack on your back is not as much fun as one would prefer. I wear breathable hiking shoes or athletic shoes which I have broken in and am comfortable with.
Bring the comfort medications you might not think about, such as a heartburn remedy. Along with eating the foods you aren't used to comes the potential heartburn. You do not want to be up all night in heartburn agony after a long day hiking, and with more hiking potentially ahead of you. At least bring some baking soda, as that can be used for multiple things, including heartburn (mix in water; speak with your doctor first for all medical advice).
Backup water filters, like a Life Straw, are a very smart decision.
If you are in a bear heavy area, do not leave food in your vehicle at the trailhead.
Tell someone where you are going, and for how long you will be there.
Give consideration to where items are in your pack. Keep water, food, med kit, and anything else you may want access to along the trail in easy to access locations. If you put your snacks underneath everything else in your pack, you're gonna have a bad time....well, a less convenient time anyway.
Comfortable sleep is a must for me. Aside from just making sure your sleeping pad doesn't leak, try sleeping on it before you take it on trail. With the ultralight mindset, some people really cut down their weight by getting the thinnest pad possible. I sacrifice weight in other places before I sacrifice with my sleep system. Sleep is recovery. Recovery provides physical capability and enjoyment. If I'm not sleeping well, I'm not enjoying my time. Just know yourself. I'm a side sleeper, so thinner pads don't give me what I need. An extra 2lbs for my sleeping pad is worth it to ensure I am as comfortable as I want to be.
More on comfort, if you're not going to an established campsite with benches, consider a backpacking chair. Being able to sit in a comfortable chair after a long hike is really nice. I've done trips without a chair, and it's just not as enjoyable. The extra weight is worth it to me, but not everyone wants that level of comfort. Just something to consider.
It sounds obvious, but time and again I've seen people pack crazy amounts of weight, and think that because they can put it on their back and walk around for several yards, they are prepared to handle the weight for 10 miles of trail. Some people are afraid to look weak. Hiking is about enjoying yourself. Yes, it's also about challenging yourself, but having too much weight isn't just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Really give yourself time with the weight and understand that after x number of miles, on a dirt/rock trail, likely with elevation climbs and drops, and likely at a higher average elevation than you're used to, that weight is going to take its toll. If you fall with all that weight on you, it can be ugly. If you twist your ankle with all that weight on you, it can be really bad. That leads me to the next two points...
Get familiar with the characteristics of the trail you're going to hike, and trekking poles are not a bad idea. Trails typically have a difficulty rating, and recommendations for hiker ability. Also, find out what the incline/decline ratio is like so you know what you're in for. Many people think, "yes, it's all downhill from here", and while ascending can be more taxing than descending, hiking downhill comes with its own difficulties; this is where the poles really come in handy. Descents can be really rough on the knees with all that weight on you, and trekking poles can really help with managing the weight and your balance.
I don't want to sound like a negative Nathan, but you're going out there for enjoyment. Preparing well just allows you to free your mind and body from some of the stresses that could really dampen your good times. Just trust the community and you'll be alright.
I have enjoyed backpacking for years and do a lot of day hikes as a family, but have just now gotten enough gear for my wife and all 4 kids to backcountry camp with me. Heading out on our first family trip tomorrow. 😄 The first of many great memories as a family.
Bonus: I now have a BUNCH of REI rewards points to spend on more gear. 😂
That is great to hear, & if you UA-cam your experience, you will probably get a lot of accidental Dan Becker viewer traffic. Lol
😂 So true. My son and I watch Dan Becker a lot.
Such a fun, informative channel with one of the best hosts ever. Makes me happy every time.
I wish I knew that your fotoprint needs to be smaller then your tent, especially on rainy nights...
and to dig a small trench on the uphill side and around your tent with your trowel for drainage.
@@cmcer1995 Please don't. Leave nothing but your footprints.
Tell that to the guy on TOGR. His "slip" is always showing. 😂
@@jamesmartin7282 yes!! i always see it and am just amazed that he hasn’t fixed that
Please be my outdoor best friend!!! I am going on a solo camping trip for the next 6 weeks and Miranda's videos have been supper helpful
Have fun!
Have fun, I'm going on my first trip in July...
Advice about food is always priceless. The only thing I would advise is not to eat anything in the wild unless you are 1000% sure it's edible.🤔 Water can be purified but some plants/animals will do damage to your stomach and ruin a trip🤢
Biggest beginner backpacker mistake I made... on my first trip ever I took a sketchy jump with my backpack on (not realizing how much off it would make my balance) and I fell off a cliff.
Regardless, I'm stoked I even get to have a second trip, but I'm going to be a lot more careful next time😅 going to remember all these tips!
Reminds me that if you have to ford a river, unbuckle your waist belt and loosen your shoulder straps. Should you fall, you can slip out of the pack rather than drown.
@@jamesmartin7282 THAT is another great tip. I will remember that!!!! Thank you
But, also remember you probably needed that stuff. If completely losing your pack to the river is a possibility, be sure to take out of it the absolute essentials you'd need to get out from wherever you are.
(There are also those who will say don't unbuckle for this reason. Opinions can vary. IMO if you pull out the essentials to uncomfortably survive your way out, that's the right tradeoff.)
On my very first wild camp, I wish I had known that closed cell foam mats are a total waste of money!! I could have just as well slept on the ground... one of the worst nights of my life. I tossed that thing in the bin the next morning, ordered the thickest air pad that I could find, and never looked back. 😂🤣
Generally, all of the information that you need is online... just go to an outdoor shop and look at all of the gear that is available, read about what it is used for, and watch videos of more experienced hikers and campers online. After doing 2-3 local overnight camps, you should have your first setup pretty much optimised for the most part.
This is a tip for the ladies. If it’s warm out, my favorite car outfit to change into is a little sun dress. Especially the ones where you don’t need to cram into a bra after being sweaty. 😅 Less to remember and super easy to change into without exposing yourself at the car!
Everyone tips: Trust the water sources...carrying all that water is heavy! And if you’re crossing any streams...do NOT wear your boots. They won’t dry fast enough over night and it’s a real rude awakening lol
I dont do dresses!
You don’t have to. Just an awesome comfy option for the car ride. I wouldn’t wear one on trail
Never been backpacking, so do you just have to bring and change into water shoes for crossing streams? seems mildly inconvenient but makes sense
Wet wipes, bath robe & slippers sounds like a winner for me. Lol. Good plan!
It all comes down to preference. Most thru hikers prefer trail shoes like Altras bc they dry much faster than a boot and they can keep moving. I prefer hiking boots bc I like the ankle support w an extra load. I know Altras do a high top version so they are on my list to try! But anyway, I always have strappy sandals packed (Tevas) bc it’s the best feeling when you get to camp to take your boots off and set everything up. Weather is always a factor...but you can wear socks w the sandals if it’s chilly. So yes, definitely annoying to change for streams. But I want my sandals for camp anyway. Light enough to be worth the weight!
Strap your water bottles in with a carabineer if you are keeping it on the outside of your pack.
Just lost my favourite shaker bottle a week ago cause the mesh ejected the bottle when I took a seat somewhere. The bottle even had a loop I didn’t want to tether it cause cumbersome disassembly. Jokes on me I’m out a water bottle. Luckily I packed my dog’s water bags in a pair.
I feel like every one of your videos ends up in the group chat that I have with my girlfriends about planning our first backpacking trip 🤘
On my AT thru, I used a brand new Big Agnes Fly Creek tent. I soon discovered that the front entry was not the way to go for a 59 year old male who needs to get up in the middle of the night to pee. I wished that I had taken it on a hike before hand. It should be noted that I did the PCT at age 19, and we used a front entry tent with no problems. Aging presents a new set of issues. Footnote: used the BA Fly Creek on the CT and loved it.
Gatorade, drink it on first day, then keep the bottle. Use it to pee in at night, dump it in the morn.
I’m about to go on my first backpacking trip this summer and this video was perfect! The tips about what to bring and what not to bring are going to be life (and back) savers! Thank you so much!
Know when sunset is and try to be at your campsite at least an hour before sundown. Dig your cathole in the evening to save time in the morning. If you plan well, evening is no hassle and morning is a breeze.
Miranda has taught me more than my D of E instructor
Bermuda triangle? Never heard of it! I always cook a few meters away from my tent, just incase the stove falls. Thank god the swedish bears are nice, the mean bears live in usa.
It’s the BEAR-muda triangle.
I just completed my first over night on Friday/Saturday and 13 miles. It was a fun experience. One thing I forgot that would be little weight is finger/toe nail clippers. Sure my mileage wasn’t far and my shoes fit properly but I kicked a freakin root sticking out of the ground I didn’t see and broke a nail. Didn’t realize I didn’t pack those until it was too late.
try a small swiss army knife with scissors, cuts nails dead skin, cloth band aids tape etc, much more versatile. get the one with tweezers and the tooth pick..
@@elund408 probably not a bad idea having a multipurpose tool instead.
@@lwmartin7 the smallest one (which I keep on my key chain at all times) has scissors , file, knife blade tweezers and toothpick for about the weight of nail clippers.
yes. I own a little Swiss army 'victornix', a tiny multi tool by Gerber called a 'dime', and a rotate a few little knives. I only take 1 and a fingernail clippers. they go in a 'ditty bag' I keep my small items in. b4 each trip I pull the bag apart and update.swap out/experiment on new gear ideas.
Awesome idea to have a change of clothes! I usually put a towel over the seat so the gross doesn’t transfer, but that’s better!
You don't have to stink. A generous splash of Baking Soda for the pits and undercarriage and inside of boots works well, also cheap and natural. (old hunter's trick)
Can’t wait to try this. Thanks.
makes a decent toothpaste also
be sure to test it first especially if you have sensitive skin, a rash in the pits is the pits
Great suggestion over since baking soda is useful for a lot of things. But as a call out to women don’t put this in your private areas.
I let body/baby wipes dry out and only take as many as I need in a bag to keep weight light and space minimum. Dampen them in the moment with your water supply and wipe your body down - start with face then body. I also like Lume deodorant as it eats/destroys the BO creating bacteria and works even if you already smell. It can be used anywhere on your body, even privates. I transferred it to a smaller bottle from the original packaging. I think most people would suggest or agree it’s most convenient to do a wipe down once daily before changing into camp/sleep clothes or going to sleep.
Full disclosure though- you will still stink and get grimy if you are out long enough and exerting yourself. Daily evening wipe downs just help provide at least some type of reset and it’s honestly nice to feel clean as you tuck into your sleeping bag.
I use a pocket shower from sea to summit and soap. It's absolutely wonderful if you can stand being cold for 5 minutes. I ensure that I make a nice hot fire before I shower.
Miranda you are brilliant. I love your style and although there are no bears in the UK so much of what you say applies in the UK as well. Keep it up.
Bearspray is good against humans too. Easier to shoot than a gun, and legal. Still recommend it. It's basically industrial pepper spray.
How to start?? How to plan a trip? How to plan my first trip?? I’ve been involved in the outdoors my whole life, but I’m 19 and scared to start making it my own activity that I do independently(solo or with friends)
day trip !!! its easier, and u only bring hiking gear and food. do a longer day hike , take some friends, and practice using your gear. cook a hot meal, make it a fun (creatively). once u get the hang, do a one nighter. its fun and more ppl will join a one night trip vs a long one.
get on an app like alltrails. find a fairly popular state park with a looped trail & family campground. (stay away from the big tourist nightmare parks like yellowstone). Plan a little weekend trip in mild weather.
Try to camp on a trail that has a shelter, in case you need it. There are usually other people around if you get into trouble. And if you’re in bear country, there may be bear boxes. My first trip was on the Appalachian trail in NJ. Not crowded, but not remote.
@Amandaoutside has so many helpful videos for this!
You’re Delightful! Thank you for sharing “the things I didn’t know, I didn’t know” in such a comical, authentic, and thoughtful way! Cheers!
- When snow accumulates on your tent, it can cause it to collapse. Be prepared to knock snow off the roof (from the inside of the tent) throughout the night.
- A soaked tent and pack weigh considerably more. Plan accordingly.
- Apples are heavy. If you're gonna carry it, eat it.
- Know when sunset is and be at your campsite well before then. Things get unnecessarily complex when you only have a flashlight/headlamp as your only source of light.
- Headlamps rock.
Need to work on my packing a pack skills. When I see some people unpack their gear I am like “wait, how’d you fit all that into that little pack”. It’s like they are using Hermione Granger’s purse….
I've taken tips from multiple different hiking UA-camrs. I use a pack liner to reduce use of separate stuff sacks. I put my sleep clothes in the footbox of my quilt in the bottom of the pack. I squish down the quilt as much as possible before putting my tent and food on top of it to help weigh it down. I recommend looking up packing videos by Darwin (Darwin Onthetrail) and Dixie (Homemade Wanderlust) to get some ideas.
Make sure there is extra room in your pack. If you're packing in rain or something, it might be hard to fit everything back in, in a rush......
Not using bags for my quilt& shelter, just shoving & squashing on the bottom seems to save space.
Get rid of most all the stuff sacks and extra bags and containers...saves a ton of weight and makes it easier to shove all my stuff into my 55L backpack
Takes practice. You'll figure it out.
Pack your heaviest stuff low and as close to your back as possible.
As to the food question, it never hurts to bring a fishing pole along to augment your nutritional needs with fish, and also learn not only which wild edibles are in season but how to identify them. That way, even if you run out of supplies, and the fish aren't biting, you can still forage.
The more I watch her the more I fall in love with her personality 💚💚 It's so me lo, anyways great video, I'm going car camping in two weeks and it'll be my first time, If anyone have tips or a suggestion please let me know.
Hope it goes well! I am hoping to go car camping this summer too.
I feel the same way about my bear canister! I don't know what it is but I'm proud to have it!
Miranda i genuinely wish I could take a hike with you ! You have such an easy personality & genuine as well! I love your external frame pack, I thought that was so awesome to see! Happy trails!!!
Unpacking and checking your new gear, not just to familiarize yourself with it before the trip but also to make sure the damn thing works cuz it really sucks to get out on the trail and find out that the item(s) you just bought don't work or don't fit right and now you have to pack the dead weight with you for the rest of the trip. Case in point, I just purchased a Thermacell Backpacker (mosquitos can be bad here), as I always try to test my gear out before I go hiking or camping, I tested it out, seemed to work great... until I tried to shut it off, well I thought I shut it off as I did push the switch to off, came back a little later thinking it had time to cool off and I could pack it away but it turns out it did not and would not shut off. I could blow the little flame out but that didn't stop the fuel. My Backpacking trip is in just under 2 weeks so I had time to exchange it, this one so far works as it should but I will be testing it more to make sure. So test anything new you buy to familiarize yourself with it and to make sure it actually works before you hit that trail.
I LOVE miranda! her attiude and humor makes these videos so enjoyable.
Careful planing is crucial and shouldn't be rushed. But check those things again right before you leave. Example: Here in the southwest, fire restrictions can go into effect at any time. This can mean fires only in fire rings already in campgrounds. It can also mean NO fires, campground or not.
And always stay aware of the weather.
Love ya'lls sense of humor - the world needs more of that right now. Have you ever hiked Pike's Peak? Keep up the great work
I think Miranda said this one before too but hike close to your house before going on a big trip. It's a lot easier doing a 15 mile trial on a familiar trail and being closed to home. Pack like its real (cause it is).
Also, learn to tie a couple good knots... It's worth it.
My first hike was to West Rim in PA and brought too much weight (55lbs) including a 10'x12' tarp.
WOW! Your energy and enthusiasm is in equal parts inspiring and terrifying, but totally enthralling! Keep it up, if you can, it's wonderful to watch.
I've been a backpacker in the Northwest for over 50 years. I think the first time I went to REI (carried by Dad) was in 1960. Our REI Coop number is in the low three-digits. All of my life I have hoped that more people would go (gracefully) into the the wild and benefit from the experience, coming back home as better, more aware, and more conscientious members of the club of all living things on earth. And happier people. Your videos are great, much appreciated. That said, I feel very strongly that the surviving "old guard" (like me, my siblings, parents and friends), should be brought into the current discourse, feeds, and flow of media related to outdoor recreation and adventure in the Northwest -- and elsewhere. We have a lot of experience, wisdom, wit, and perspectives that would be of tremendous value to those who are discovering the outdoors, the mountains, the rivers, lakes, ocean coasts, islands, and the waters of Puget Sound now. How do you think we could be best patched into the general "feed" about backpacking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, rafting, climbing, skiing, gear-shopping, and wilderness wisdom in the Northwest (and beyond)? I will wait for your reply. We need to make this happen. It matters.
Make a video, Susi!
Thanks for the advice about food. Nothing can ruin a hike, or even worse, an entire backpacking trip, like having diarrhea. New foods that you have never eaten before can absolutely tear up your stomach, especially if you are exerting yourself on a hike and not eating proper foods. It's also why I try to eat snacks throughout the day, as well as make sure I have some breakfast before a long day of hiking. Some lessons we have to learn the hard way :)
Thanks so much, Miranda for giving valuable insight into beginner backpacking mistakes. I've been backpacking (off and on) for over 40 years and still feel I have SO much to learn! Backpacking equipment has come a long ways in the past 40 years thanks to innovative people sharing their knowledge. My husband and I have have upgraded so much of our equipment through REI. It's unfortunate that some of my most recent purchases were from other companies since REI is discontinuing so many brands like NEMO. I always check REI first but if they don't have what I'm looking for, I go to other Internet websites to purchase my equipment.
That belch! Sounded even better because you ducked under that table and that intensified the sound! I'm impressed!! ... Also, I think it *reassuring* to know that we can still bring the wrong things (your food example was good!). I really enjoy these Miranda videos!!
You can put a big trash bag in your backpack before packing in everything to make sure that everything in there stays dry in case of a downpour! Just make sure to fold the top so water can’t get in anywhere!
I was caught in a over 3 hour thunderstorm in Yosemite last month and this kept everything dry. Would have had to go home if my sleeping bag and sleeping clothes had gotten wet.
Good idea to carry two or three extras black trash bags. You can make rain gear out of them too and if you pick up garby along the trail, everyone will love you!
Taking canned soup for dinner was probably my biggest mistake, although since it was just an overnighter it wasn't too bad, just way heavier than it needed to be, and opening a can with a Swiss army knife is a PITA. And nearly setting my hair on fire while lighting my stove.
Yay! Sunday with Miranda!
Before I became ancient and had to quit backpacking we usually planned out 7-9 miles a day for a week long trip in the Sierra. We found that made the trip more relaxing and less of a "forced march".
The bringing one thing to do at camp is great advice. Just sitting and enjoying nature is great, but I bring my Nintendo Switch on every backpacking trip. I don't use it every night but I've found that it's fantastic to break out at a populated campsite. I bring an extra pair of joycons so multiple other people can play with me and I've made so many friends just playing random Switch games with people at camp.
One piece of advice I've heard from a family member - whittle your stuff down, then add ONE luxury item. Could be an inflatable pillow, etc. My family member chose the biggest backpacking towel she could find, considerably bigger than it "had" to be. And she didn't regret the extra bulk or weight.
Important! Cook with the stove BEFORE you leave! in order to make sure you have the right kind of fuel! and know how to work the stove successfully. Consider a wind screen for your stove. Some people goof up and buy the wrong fuel! Amazing but true!
Can I youst add that's it's weary important to know how to read terrain. Example flood areas, swamp areas, widow-makers, snake pits, tick fields, how the terrain is shaped and how is it going to affect what kind of shelter you can set up / if you can even sleep there etc.
Also you can use hand sanitizer instead of deodorant works much better
Please create a Miranda in the Wild playlist so that I can binge watch your videos!!!
Great news! You can check it out here: bit.ly/3jjD7WZ
Bring a dedicated sack for trash because nobody wants to see your granola bar wrappers! also, it helps keep your bag clear of random plastic wrappers.
Yes we all are beginners at one point, but if we put our kids through the lessons of the out doors in their growing years, it'll stick with them for life. Thank you scouts! Plus we did a 2 week canoe trip our final year, did we ever stink coming out of the bush haha still have my gear from those days and about to use it this week! Remember always leave your camping area cleaner than when you found it!
Make sure that your in- camp shoes cover your toes. SHarp stones, falling stuff, sharp thorns from the pine cones, poison ivy, sumac, stinging insects, etc. all can ruin your feet in camp. So use covered, but airy, camp shoes. Protect your greatest asset! And earplugs!
Great video! Fun to watch :)
I got the benefit of learning A LOT from my sister, who backpacked the PCT and shared with me all of her knowledge (and mistakes) so that I was much better equipped to begin as a beginner, feeling way more confident and capable than I would’ve otherwise.
One top takeaway from her was minimizing my load; I very quickly dropped the weight of my gear by being intentional with what I invited into or changed about my kit.
Also, speaking of unsolicited product plugging: I looooove love love my Kula Cloth!!!!
It’s a small anti-microbial cloth for anyone who squats when they pee! Super convenient, no TP to deal with and good for the environment.
One of my biggest pet peeves as an outdoors person is seeing TP left behind in the wild... @&%#*!? Just no, humans!
LNT. Leave No Trace!
....Use a Kula! :D
Getting boots bigger than you think,...lost 2 toenails going down trail. Look at map carefully for landforms,... end of day set up camp next to a swamp, mosquito hell!. I would have set up 1 hr earlier. Getpoles for big hikes, balance better, no hand swelling