What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Backpacking
My introduction to outdoor backpacking came when a coworker who happened to have an extra Half Dome permit asked if I wanted to join. I was coming off the tail end of a divorce at the time, and had personally embarked on a “Year of Yes” so to speak, so even though I didn’t have an outdoorsy bone in my body at the time (having just moved from Texas to California), I said a big, scary “YES” to the invitation.
Saying yes to that first backpacking trip completely changed my life.
After several years of learning and falling deeply in love with outdoor adventures, that backpacking trip lead me to create this blog She Dreams of Alpine, it lead me to quit my job and travel for 3 years with my husband in our van, and it lead me to becoming a backpacking educator and empowerment coach, and creating the Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass Course and Coaching Program - the only program of its kind that focuses on helping women+ become safe, confident, and self-sufficient on the trail with outdoor backpacking.
And today, I’ve had the privilege of helping over 1,200 other women+ in that program change their lives and confidence with outdoor backpacking. I had NO idea when I said that first “Yes” that so much goodness would come from it.
Of course, looking back now, there were so many things that I didn’t know as a beginner backpacker. And I don’t just mean about gear and pack weight (although, dang, my pack was heavy on my first hiking trip in Yosemite National Park, haha).
Here are some of the key lessons I learned on my backpacking journey that I wish I knew when I started!
You Can Be the Leader Instead of Just Following
When I first started backpacking, I joined friends on their trip but didn’t realize I could have started on my own. If you dream of outdoor backpacking, you don’t need to wait for someone more experienced to invite you along. You can learn the skills you need to empower yourself and hit the trails whenever you want to. And yes, you can go solo!
I know so many people struggle with getting started because they feel dependent on a stronger, more experienced backpacker to invite them along on trips and show them the ropes.
But Finding these elusive friends and mentors can sometimes feel equivalent to finding the elusive big-foot, and I’m sorry to say (but it's just the truth) that if you sit around hoping and waiting to meet them, you likely never will.
So you’ve gotta stop waiting for this person to magically appear into your life if you want to start backpacking sooner rather than later.
Instead, you need to learn what it takes to get outdoors on your own first. Hone YOUR skills and YOUR confidence. And start taking the reigns of your backpacking future.
I got lucky that someone invited me out on my first backpacking trip, but I quickly learned after that trip that if I REALLY wanted to make adventure part of my life, I needed to become self-sufficient and confident in my own skills on the trail or else I’d always be waiting around on that invite to go outdoors.
This is the #1 reason I created the Backpacking Badass Program - to help women+ learn how to become self-sufficient and confident in their own ability on the trail, so they can start backpacking SOONER rather than later and so they can take their power back when it comes to planning trips and getting more adventure on their calendars.
Oh, and side benefit: Becoming self-sufficient and independent on the trails will open up doors for you, including the ability to attract more outdoorsy friends into your life.
Confidence attracts confidence.
And here’s the thing. You can be NEW to backpacking and ALSO prepared for its challenges and risks WITHOUT having to rely on a group of experienced backpackers by your side.
We all start out new to this stuff, but we don’t have to walk into it blindly or fully reliant on others (& we shouldn't). You’ve just got to do a little bit of learning upfront.
Learn more about the Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass Program here if you want to get started on that journey.
GRAB MY [FREE] OUTDOOR BACKPACKER STARTER KIT:
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Backpacking is Hard, But You Can Do Hard Things
Every backpacking trip isn’t going to go perfectly – in fact, most don’t.
You’ll probably find yourself at some point on the trail with your legs burning and your back hurting and question why you decided to do this in the first place. Or it will rain every day, and you’ll be soaking wet and cold even with the right layers. Or your camp stove will break or you’ll get blisters or your sleeping pad will spring a leak.
But what I’ve learned is that a backpacking trip doesn’t have to be perfect to be amazing. You’ll learn what you’re capable of, and when you look back on the trip, you’ll only remember the good parts – or at least be able to laugh at the bad ones, too.
Backpacking became a really beautiful parallel to life for me. I realized (through backpacking) that the good and the challenge are part of the WHOLE experience. The 50/50 exists both on the trail and in life, and thats a beautiful thing. The challenges help us appreciate those beautiful moments more.
I also loved coming home from a big weekend feeling so proud of myself. Backpacking helped me realize that I was stronger, braver, and more capable than I ever had imagined previously.
Embrace the tough bits. They’re actually part of what makes the whole experience so unique.
It Doesn’t Have to Be an Epic Challenge (& Your Journey Doesn’t Have to Look Like Cheryl Strayed)
Even though outdoor backpacking is hard, it is also whatever you want it to be. Adventure doesn’t have to mean pushing yourself to the limits.
It can mean taking a one-night trip on an easy trail to get used to going solo and sleeping in a tent. It can mean not going ultralight and taking creature comforts that make you happier. It can mean going slow and taking your kids along on the adventure.
One thing I like to encourage students to do is to pick a smaller backpacking goal before going on something bigger. Its a great way to test the waters, test your gear, and work out the kinks before you commit to something BIGGER and more challenging.
Many students come to me having been inspired by the well known book and movie, “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed - where she just drops her old life and starts a thru-hike with no prior experience or planning and ultimately changed her life. Its a beautiful story.
But we aren’t all Cheryl Strayed.
It took an incredible amount of courage to literally go from zero to thru-hiker, and I DON’T think that this is the right step for a lot of new backpackers, and in fact, I think it’s holding many new backpackers back.
I think looking at Cheryl Strayed’s story can be motivational, but it can also be extremely overwhelming to new hikers and backpackers. Like wow, she just literally took a leap of faith and didn’t care about what she didn’t know and she just went for it.
But too many people idealize that, and then they look at themselves and wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I feel brave enough to do that? Why do I feel paralyzed by fear? Maybe I don’t have what it takes?”
And then the Cheryl strayed story has the OPPOSITE effect on them. It leads them into doubting themselves, and their self-worth and capability — and then they drop the dream entirely.
Listen. If this sound familiar, recognize that nothing has gone wrong with you, and it’s MORE natural to WANT to be more prepared and to WANT to feel safe and self-sufficient before embarking like a grand adventure like that.
So YES be inspired by the book Wild. Be inspired by Cheryl Strayed.
But know that your path to self-discovery and to transformation doesn’t have to look like hers.
Your transformation will still be equally worthy and equally amazing if you
Take the time to learn the skills you need to feel confident and self-sufficient on your own
Make a solid trip plan and safety plan
Go on mini-trips before a big thru-hiking or backpacking trip
This story is EQUALLY inspirational. Is EQUALLY incredible.
I just wanted you to know that
Adventure means different things to everyone. If you take the lead in backpacking, you can make it whatever you want it to be.
You Don’t Need the Lightest, Newest Gear
Don’t let a lack of gear stop you from hitting the trail!
While certain gear (backpack, tent, sleeping bag) is necessary, you don’t have to go out and buy the newest version of everything when you’re just starting out – in fact, you probably shouldn’t!
If you can wait to buy gear until you start to learn what you like and need, you’ll save money and avoid ending up with a bunch of stuff you don’t use.
Sis, when I first started, I got SCRAPPY with my gear.
I borrowed stuff ( put some feelers out there on social media, more than likely someone you know is willing to share some gear they have stuffed in their garage with you)
No down jacket - no problem. I layered more with stuff I already had.
No boots - no issue. To be honest I don’t even like wearing boots that much anymore backpacking. I prefer wearing trail runners. But start off with whatever running tennis shoe you have.
The point is. You DO have options. We teach our Backpacking Badass students a basic gear “framework” as they are building out their gear stack. I prefer they start simple, get scrappy and build up their perfect gear setup with time when they test out their preferences on the trail.
To take a peek at what’s in my backpack, check out my backpacking packing list.
DOWNLOAD OUR BACKPACKING PACKING CHECKLIST:
Never leave any crucial items behind before you head out on a backpacking trip! I’ve written down all the essentials here for you so that you’ll never forget anything vital. PLUS, I love to spoil my readers with a little bit extra as well, so I’ve included a list of 20+ of my favorite backpacking food snacks and meals inside of this list for inspiration.
Trekking Poles are Actually Useful
When starting out backpacking, it’s easy to see people using trekking poles, and think that you don’t need them. But it turns out trekking poles are for everyone!
Hiking poles are super helpful for steep trails, since they give you more points of contact and help you maintain your balance on the descent.
Plus, they take some of the pressure off your knees. Even if you don’t currently experience knee pain, hiking poles can help prevent you feeling it in the future.
My trail name is “Baby Lamb Legs” because I notoriously trip over things or my ankles buckle for no reason. Hiking poles have always kept me from falling on my face or breaking something while I’m in the backcountry. I highly recommend them.
DOWNLOAD OUR HIKING PACKING CHECKLIST:
So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!
You Don’t Have to Be Fearless to Be a Badass
Are you afraid of the critters you might run into on the trail? Or the sounds outside your tent at night? Or of heights and exposed trails? That doesn’t mean you can’t be a badass backpacker!
Whether you’re a beginner backpacker or have been doing it for awhile, you’re probably pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. And when you do that, it’s normal to get scared. Pushing past that fear and doing it anyway is what makes you badass.
When I said, “yes” to my first backpacking trip invitation back in 2013, it was like going against every sensible cell in my body. Because I was scared to death of everything and had so much anxiety around it (even though I really wanted to do it).
I REALLY wanted to be like those women who jumped into adventure feet first. I wanted to say an unwavering YES to new things. I wanted to be fearless.
But I learned that being fearless isn’t the answer.
Let me say that in a different way, and a little louder for all of you in the back.
Being a backpacker is NOT about being fearless.
And I don’t teach my students in the Backpacking Badass Program to be fearless. Because it doesn’t serve YOU to focus on trying to be fearless.
Trying to focus on being fearless will ultimately lead to overwhelm and a sense of failure because being fearless is largely unattainable for human beings.
The reality is, we all have fear. It's part of who we are as humans and how we were wired to survive in this world. AND there are some fears we really need to pay attention to and be aware of. They're meant to protect us.
Waiting till you feel "fearless" is like failing ahead of time… because it’s just not a realistic destination for most of us mortals.
I have fear all the time. Literally ALL THE TIME. But I’ve mastered co-existing with my fear and my courage, and being OK that both are part of the equation.
So, instead of focusing on being fearless, I want you to focus on being courageous.
Courage is when you have thoughts of fear, but you don’t let that stop you. You go for it anyway.
Once you let go of trying to be fearless and instead focus on being courageous, your world is literally going to change. This concept goes way beyond backpacking.
We are so multi-dimensional. We can be strong AND weak. We can be fearful AND courageous. We can be anxious AND make smart, calm decisions under pressure. Don’t tell yourself the lie that you are “only anxious” or “only fearful”. You are all of the above, and isn’t that such an encouraging thing?
AND THIS is what we teach our students to do and how to BE when they hit the trails. We teach them to use the tools they’ve been taught in the Backpacking Badass Program and utilize our unique 5-Step Framework to move through and work WITH their fear in order to step into their courageous identities as women in the backcountry. This shift in perspective is extremely liberating, and a heck-of-a-lot more fun in the long run.
Consider it.
Want to learn how to turn your Fear in to Your Superpower? Watch this video I created ALL about that.
Community is Crucial
Nothing makes a steep uphill slog better than someone to share the pain with. And even if your goal is to backpack solo, creating a community of other backpackers will help you achieve your goals.
Backpacking buddies are there to help you in everything from firsthand trail info to gear hacks.
A supportive community will remind you that you can do hard things when you’re feeling resistance. And if a trip doesn’t go as planned, they’ll laugh with you about the mishaps because they’ve had their own.
PSST.. ARE YOU READY TO FIND YOUR OWN BACKPACKING COMMUNITY?
Join me (and your peers) on a transformational adventure, where you will learn how to confidently go on your first ever (or perhaps your first solo) outdoor backpacking trip without the constant fear of getting lost, the crippling worry of being unprepared, and the lurking feeling that you lack the "know-how" and skills required to stay safe on the trails. Click here to be the first to know when my one-of-a-kind backpacking program re-opens again for enrollment!
Failure is Part of the Process
Speaking of things that go wrong, it’s important to remember that failure is part of outdoor backpacking, no matter how experienced you are.
You can do all your research and planning, but your sleeping pad will spring a leak. Or a stray thunderstorm will leave you soaked. Or you’ll sprain your ankle. Or the campsite you planned on will turn out not to be perfect.
Just because things go wrong on a backpacking trip doesn’t mean it was a failure. If you got out on the trail and tried, that is a huge success. So learn new backpacking skills from whatever didn’t go the way you planned, and take that hard-earned knowledge on your next adventure.
Knowing How to Navigate is Necessary
If you want to be self-sufficient on the backpacking trail, learning how to navigate is crucial. Until you know how to use a GPS, a map, and a compass, you’ll always have to depend on someone else to take the lead.
But what happens if you got separated from your group for some reason? Or what if someone in your group need you to go find help because they got hurt or injured? These are reasons alone to ALWAYS know your route and how to navigate regardless of if you’re the group leader or not.
I literally LOVE teaching navigation to people. It’s my favorite thing because I’ve learned how to take a seemingly “complicated skill” and MAKE IT SIMPLE. I have a whole section called the “GPS Tech Vault” in my Backpacking Badas Program dedicated to help you master outdoor navigation and essentially eliminate the fear of getting lost from your mind.
If you want to start dabbling in navigating with a super simple tool called Gaia GPS, check out my free guide “Navigation 101”, but if you want to take your confidence with navigation deeper and further - join my Backpacking Badass Program.
You Don’t Have to Be “In Perfect Shape” Before You Start
Do you have a little voice in your head that says you need to be in better shape before you start backpacking? Are you worried about being slow so you want to train before you hit the trail?
Don’t let those nagging thoughts stop you from backpacking!
You can start where you are and train on the trail.
Sure, you might not start with hiking a 14er, but there are so many easier trails you can absolutely do right now. And as you start backpacking more, you’ll find that you can push yourself on longer trails with more elevation gain. Basically, you can use the trail and backpacking as a tool to get stronger. You don’t have to get stronger BEFORE you start.
Of course, we always recommend consulting your doctor if you have previous medical conditions you might be concerned with, but in general, many of our students use hiking as a way to start training and getting stronger for bigger backpacking trips.
It Can Change Your Life
Way back when I was invited on my first backpacking trip, I thought it would be a fun adventure, but I never could have imagined where that first trail would take me.
Once I learned how to be safe and confident in my own skills on the trail, the outdoors became a playground for me to explore my curiosity, my bravery, my courage, my deepest desires… on all of my long walks on the trail.
The trail helped me hone in on my self-confidence and explore what it meant to endure (and even cherish) the ups and the downs in life.
And in exploring who I was on the trail and what I was capable of enduring and overcoming, this passion also led me to explore the other tiny curiosities in my life (the ones I didn’t really feel “safe” exploring at first because they felt “irresponsible” because that’s what society has always told me).
ON the trail, all of my lingering “what if’s” came bubbling to the surface (especially around the concept of freedom, my purpose, my joy, and living fully into how I wanted to live)
…. What if I could be in charge of how I spent my time?
… What if I could live wherever I wanted to live?
… What if I don’t need to be burnt out on work all the time?
… What if I could spend MORE time outside doing what I love?
… What if I could do work that feels more meaningful to me?
… What if I could make a bigger impact during my time here on earth?
… What if I’ve just barely scratched the surface of my potential?
… What if I wasn’t so scared of failure? What if I embraced it?
… What if I stopped trying to be perfect and instead made experiencing more JOY in my life as the barometer of my success?
… What if I wasn’t afraid to experience all the emotions that came with doing things outside my comfort zone but also made me feel truly ALIVE?
And let me tell you, my friend, it’s been a WILD ride of self-discovery (in the most amazing way!) since I opened that “what-if” can-of-worms.
Since I first started backpacking in 2013, I’ve…
Hiked hundreds and hundreds of miles of trails all over the world & summited some of the tallest peaks in the US.
Met my (now) husband and adventure partner in crime
Made lifelong friendships that were born and forged from moments on the trail
Quit my corporate engineering job (after 7 years) and started my work as a backpacking coach and educator (#dreamjob)
Lived in a van for 3 years (another dream of mine) and traveled the US with my husband and dog
Coached over 1,200 women to becoming safe, confident, and self-sufficient on the trail
Grew my dream job and hired my dream team to help me fulfill this mission of helping more women hit the trail and live into THEIR ultimate potential.
And every year I’m uncovering more and more of my what ifs. I know this is only the tip of the iceberg for me. I attribute ALL of this largely to the courage, confidence, and resilience I learned and gained from first putting my feet to the trail.
THIS is the real reason why I created the Backpacking Badass Program.
I want you to consider that this most likely goes BEYOND just backpacking for you too. I know it does for MANY of my friends and students.
What IF… the outdoors is also a place where you start your journey of true self-discovery?
What IF… the trail is the place you let loose and explore your deepest, most inner curiosities?
What IF… the backcountry is the place where you release the rigid-expectations of daily life and just experience the joy of being truly present with yourself (and realize that’s all that truly matters).
What IF… there’s so much goodness waiting to be uncovered in your life. So much richness in experience, so much aliveness waiting to be woken up?
What IF… it all starts by strapping a pack to your back and walking deep into the backcountry.
Backpacking isn’t a destination my friends.
It’s the beginning of a beautiful journey into self (if you allow it to be).
Ready to Start Your Own Backpacking Journey?
Join me in the Become an Outdoor Backpacking Badass Program and let’s get this journey started!
Also, check out these resources before you hit the trails:
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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