Six Tips for Planning A Backpacking Trip With Newbies

Even though winter still surges across the country, the PNW is getting note-so-subtle hints of spring. My tulips are popping up in February for goodness sakes! As warm weather tempts a good time, my brain automatically goes to backpack trip planning! Whiiiiiich got me thinking about the time I planned a trip with a few newbie backpackers, and, if you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know it didn’t go as planned! As promised, you are here to learn from my mistakes.

Hi I'm Tiff, and I plan backpacking trips... poorly heheheheh

SO here are some tips I have for avid backpackers who are trying to get their non-backpacking friends onto the trail! And for the new backpackers, make sure to show this to your trip planner!

***for sake of privacy all photos are from random camping trips! ***

1. Act as if This Is a Practice Trip for Future Backpacking Trips!

This is by far my most important tip for planning a backpacking trip with newbies. The first trip is super exciting, but can also be really nerve-wracking for someone who hasn’t backpacked before! Constantly remind yourself of that. The first trip for someone who rarely hikes, let alone backpacks, should be a trial run. This is the practice trip to test the waters! They're probably gonna love it, and, if they are super into hiking, you can bend this rule. BUT. If they are not. Stick to one night so that they actually want to go backpacking in the future. And so they won't hate you.

Summary:

The first backpacking trip should be practice for the next backpacking trip.

2. Your Easy Hike Is Not Their Easy Hike 

It can be easy to forget that people who have never been backpacking have, indeed, never been backpacking. What do I mean by this? Well, you want them to actually enjoy their experience and not scare them away. 

Tent on a trail in Southern Oregon

When it comes to trail difficulty, you want to consider elevation and length. I debated between two trails when I took my four newbies, and ultimately went with the longer, but flatter trail. The total milage each day was between seven and eight miles, which was a lot, especially for people not used to hiking that much in general, let alone with a pack on.

I had done the trail multiple times, both as day trips and and backpacking trips. I thought that because it was a fairly flat trail, that everyone would be fine. In my mind, elevation gain with a pack is much harder than more milage. Boy, was I wrong! The newbies had blisters for days, were exhausted to the point of not having fun, and eventually lost toe nails when we got back home. OOPS! I'll take accountabilty for that. That's on me.

So bear that in mind when choosing a trail. Less is more.

3. The Trip Isn’t Always About the Trail; It’s About the Backpack (More Specifically, Carrying One)

The hikes that you think are easy are most likely still pretty difficult for someone who hadn’t backpacked. Not because of that person’s inability, but because they simply aren’t used to carrying a backpack and don't yet know the discomfort that first trip can bring.

They're going to learn how extra weight will feel on their legs, how their hips will chafe and callous, and how much effort it will be to get the pack on and off again. They will learn that their feet will microadjust and they'll get blisters in places they've never gotten blisters before. They will dig a hole in the ground to poop, possibly for the first time. They will stop to adjust their pack as all of their gear settles with each step. They will learn the discomfort that isn't found while day hiking.

They are going to be uncomfortable.

a trip that is not for beginners, unless you really want go for it

Backpacking is uncomfortable until you get used to it. It’s awkward and throws your center of gravity off, and takes a second or three to get used it. Remember what your first backpacking trip was like, and how you didn't know what the heck you were doing! That's them, right now!

You want to pick a trail that is manageable for someone with less hiking experience than you. Think of their first trail as a trial. I'll say it again: the first backpacking trip should be practice for the next backpacking trip. Practice patience as your friends get used to the feeling of hiking with a backpack.

4. Stick to A Single Night

Like I said, think of this as a trial run for the next backpacking trip. If they like one night, they’ll probably like two! But if backpacking isn't for them, no one will be happy come day three. A single night lays the foundation for what backpacking is like, and once they figure out if they like it or not, you can go from there!  

5. Prepare to Carry Extra Weight

If you have someone who is really struggling, you may have to spread the load of their pack. Again, this is operating under the pretense that this first trip is a practice trip! If you do a multiday backpacking trip, you want to make sure that all of the hikers are able to carry out what they carried in. But, since this is the first time, expect there to be some hardship.

Backpacking is all fun and games until someone is suffering. Then everyone is suffering. You may have to carry out someone’s gear. Be mentally prepared for this. You might not have to! But I want you to be braced for the possibility. 

6. Practice Patience, Grace, and Silliness 

a beautiful butterfly on a backpacking trail

This hike will not go as planned. I don’t care how type A you are. If you are taking someone backpacking for the first time, you- and they- are going to run into challenges. This is not a bad thing! It is an opportunity to bond, learn, and teach. You will learn how to slow down and how to really think about the challenges of backpacking you forgot about. Let it be silly! Your hiking newbies may get frustrated at times. That’s okay! That’s what this process is all about. You’ll need to be patient- it may take them longer to get used to having a pack on, which means multiple stops to readjust.

Practice patience for the whole group, grace for everyone and for yourself, and silliness to keep it light! At the end of the day, this is for the joy of hiking. You want everyone to enjoy themselves and appreciate the space you’re hiking in. 

Happy Backpack Trip Planning

There you have it folks! My backpacking wisdom that I learned the hard way, bestowed to you and your fellow non-hiking friends who finally said yes to a backpacking trip after years of you asking.

Help them fall in love with backpacking too! Don't make them regret saying yes to your persistence. Take breaks, eat lots of snacks, take pictures of them! This is a huge deal!!!!! I hope your trip is messy, fun, and full of learning for everyone involved!

If you want some tips on gear, where to go, what to do, or where to start, reach out to me! Thanks, as always, for reading! Catch ya on the flip!