What's the Best Lesson that You've Learned from Your Time Hiking and Backpacking?

[ianscampbell]

9 Lessons We Learn from the Backcountry

There's no question that time spent in the great outdoors can teach us some pretty serious lessons...and some not so serious ones, too. What's your favorite lesson that you've learned in your time hiking and backpacking?

[dlague]

Did not hike much in New England, my wife hated getting eaten alive. We used deet to ward them off but somehow they still came. However, since we have been out in CO we started hiking again and so far bugs are limited. Important to stay on trail though that are some dangerous animals out here beside those large felines. Wife almost stepped on this!

[ianscampbell]

Did not hike much in New England, my wife hated getting eaten alive. We used deet to ward them off but somehow they still came. However, since we have been out in CO we started hiking again and so far bugs are limited. Important to stay on trail though that are some dangerous animals out here beside those large felines. Wife almost stepped on this!

Yikes!

[bigbog]

Nothing extroardinary,
Prepare enough to be one with nature and treat the outdoors/wildlife with respect and you won't have very many issues. If you pack first aid for possible injury, the odds are you'll stay healthy.

[ianscampbell]

Nothing extroardinary,
Prepare enough to be one with nature and treat the outdoors/wildlife with respect and you won't have very many issues. If you pack first aid for possible injury, the odds are you'll stay healthy.

That's a great point. First aid is always worth the weight - if for no other reason than to thwart Murphy's Law!

[Abubob]

Nothing extroardinary,
Prepare enough to be one with nature and treat the outdoors/wildlife with respect and you won't have very many issues. If you pack first aid for possible injury, the odds are you'll stay healthy.

That's a great point. First aid is always worth the weight - if for no other reason than to thwart Murphy's Law!

I learned the hard way why I should pack an ace bandage and some gauze. Just as important is what NOT to pack. But deciding what is too much takes some dialing in and will change with the season and terrain.

[ianscampbell]

I learned the hard way why I should pack an ace bandage and some gauze. Just as important is what NOT to pack. But deciding what is too much takes some dialing in and will change with the season and terrain.

Very true. I took a friend out for his first trip - a two nighter in the Sierras in Northern California - and he packed a 50+ pound pack. I think he identified about 10 pounds of stuff that he wouldn't bring the next time.

[Abubob]

Very true. I took a friend out for his first trip - a two nighter in the Sierras in Northern California - and he packed a 50+ pound pack. I think he identified about 10 pounds of stuff that he wouldn't bring the next time.

I'll bet if he took a real scrutinizing look her could lighten that by another 10 lbs. If he wanted to go "minimalist" he probably could get by with 15 lbs for two nights. A work mate who is by no means a minimalist but likes to pack as light as possible did a week long traverse in the Sierras a couple years back with a 35 lb pack. Packing like that is, to me at least, an art and a science.

[ianscampbell]

I'll bet if he took a real scrutinizing look her could lighten that by another 10 lbs. If he wanted to go "minimalist" he probably could get by with 15 lbs for two nights. A work mate who is by no means a minimalist but likes to pack as light as possible did a week long traverse in the Sierras a couple years back with a 35 lb pack. Packing like that is, to me at least, an art and a science.

That's very true...I want to do another trip with him just to see what he packs this time around!

[bigbog]

I'll bet if he took a real scrutinizing look her could lighten that by another 10 lbs. If he wanted to go "minimalist" he probably could get by with 15 lbs for two nights. A work mate who is by no means a minimalist but likes to pack as light as possible did a week long traverse in the Sierras a couple years back with a 35 lb pack. Packing like that is, to me at least, an art and a science.

+1
...and better to make time and get out there and do it, even if it's non-epic.
I don't know if that's a lesson or not...