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My first attempt at a 3-day backpacking trip in the Smokies was a total disaster
I packed way too heavy, my boots gave me blisters by mile 5, and I had to turn back on the second morning. It taught me to test my gear on shorter trips and actually weigh my pack before leaving. What's the biggest mistake you made on your first big hike?
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the_kai1mo ago
Oh man, "cheap poncho just shredded" hits home. @angelapalmer is totally right about matching gear to the actual weather. My first big overnight, I just looked at the daytime high and thought I was fine. Night dropped into the 40s and my flimsy summer sleeping bag was a joke. I spent the whole night wearing every piece of clothing I had, shivering, couldn't sleep at all. It was the longest night of my life. Now I obsess over the overnight low forecast more than anything else.
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angelapalmer1mo ago
Honestly, the weight thing is such a classic first-timer move. I did the same, brought a whole camp chair and like three extra shirts. The real killer for me was not checking the weather forecast close enough. Got caught in a cold rain I wasn't ready for, and my cheap poncho just shredded. Had to bail early, totally soaked and miserable. It's not just testing gear, it's making sure your gear matches the actual conditions you'll face. That lesson about weighing your pack is gold, but I'd add checking the detailed forecast to the pre-trip checklist too.
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nora18425d ago
Oh man, the sleeping bag thing rings a bell. I read a blog post once where some guy said he just put a fleece blanket in his pack for a summer trip and ended up bailing at 2am because he couldn't stop shivering. That's basically me except I brought a bag rated for 50 degrees and the temp dropped to 38. I had on two pairs of socks, my rain jacket, and was still curled up like a shrimp trying to trap heat. The forecast said clear skies, but I never even thought about the overnight low. Now I check the 10-day forecast like it's my job and have a dedicated spreadsheet for my gear's temperature ratings.
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