5 Mistakes Most Beginner Hikers Make (How to Avoid Them)

Hey everyone! :) Yes, this is a re-upload from yesterday. Unfortunately, the original video flopped on YouTube, so I did some tweaks to it to make it more interesting. I work a lot on these videos, so it's very disappointing for me if some of them don't get the attention they deserve. I hope you understand!

I am not a violent man and I consider myself level headed even at the worst of times. But if you break out a blue tooth speaker while on a hike with me, that will change rapidly.

On thing that I did as a new backpacker was I knew I nothing about backpacks and how they should fit and be worn. This caused a lot of unnecessary discomfort. So educating yourself about backpacks and how they should fit and be worn will make a huge difference.

Avoid blisters by wearing two pairs of socks, one thin pair on the inside to slide up and down (instead of your skin), and a pair as the outer layer to give you warm and dry. Runners use socks that have an in built layer to provide the second layer. It works.

Very solid tips! Part of the fun is just giving it a go with what you've got, and then looking back on what you can improve for the next hike. As a beginner, you always want to err on the cautious side. Rather carry too much water and food, a too large first aid kit, too many clothes, than the opposite. And then slowly start leaving the things you didnt need at home..

My very first backcountry trip, my pack was over fifty pounds. That was such misery!! Now I rarely have more than about thirty. So easy to overdo it with food and fuel especially- my old Triangia stove needed a LOT of fuel. I never carry fresh food any more either. People worry about nutrition but five days without fresh produce will not kill you! I love using emergency blankets- so fun to show a newbie that trick and impress them, haha 😂

Start small! Overly ambitious hikes will turn into a bad experience for anyone. I like to make the first hike of the season not about a distant destination, but about playing with all the gear and taking some notes. A short hike means plenty of time at the camp site, to practice setting up the tent a few times, etc.

Beginner tip: Take a map and compass with you. study your route carefully and look on the map for surrounding landmarks. draw a circle to easily recognize points (masts, huts, villages in certain cardinal directions, etc.).

Good Polarised sunglasses are a must, I once did the Nijmegen march and snow blindness dropped me to the floor in agony, middle of July with no snow around. Also I take a tube of SiS Electrolyte tablets and put one in my water when I feel a headache coming on. Water is a must but you must also replace your electrolytes.

I'm a hiker and these tips are solid! Appreciate you getting to the point. Great content

Concerning the “reflective” quality of an emergency sleeping bag… that’s not really how energy works or at least I should say not primarily. Reflection is trumped considerably by conduction. The most effective way is to have the foil layer(s) next to your body and the air layers next to the cold ground. So put the emergency blanket or bag on top of your mattress.

Emergency blanked have also one additional minus - it's almost useless, even paramedics are not using them anymore. If used in emergencies, there should be nearly airtight seal and additional heat source. The side you use it on makes no difference. But it's nice and shiny :)

One of the best videos like this I can remember seeing.

really a great video. clear and valuable advice. Thank you

putting the reflective blanket under your mat - you dont take nearly full advantage of the reflective propreties - it should be as close to your body as possible (meaning on top of your mat)

I remember being in boarding school at 16 and we went on a 5 day backpacking trip as a school (yes, it was awesome). Hiking shoes was a requirement for students. I was shocked that 5 or 6 kids were literally wearing theirs for the first time ON the hike. Some had huge issues and a couple even had to cut the toes of their shoes open because they fit so poorly. For kids, this is definitely a parental issue imo but regardless, it was crazy! Don't do that! Wear your gear, use your kit at home, sleep in the tent in the backyard BEFORE you go on a trip with it! Rant aside, great video.

Fantastic upload bud, great tips 👏👏

Not checking the conditions in the mountain and relying on your gut. I got caught out on this this morning. Didn't look like any snow had fallen in the mountains yet and went for a short sunrise hike... Snow had fallen and the path was SUPER icy.

Once I started wearing double socks, I never got blisters. I wore a cotton athletic sock under my heavier hiking sock. A thin nylon liner sock might be optimal. The inner liner sock acts as a second skin to insulate your foot from abrasion.

I'm using exactly the same shoes! Very happy with them, I have a 3rd pair now and I'm not going to change anything.