Why are New Backpackers Worried about these 5 Things?

What are/were YOUR Biggest Fears, Concerns, or Barriers when getting into Backpacking??? Let Me Know Down Below! 👇

Kudos to cousin Adam for sharing his insecurities! About the fear of being judged: one of the nice things about the hiking community is that it's so diverse, at least in terms of age and body shape and social class. It's not all fitboys and fitgirls, it's also 70-year-olds and kids and everyone in between. It's nice and laid-back!

Been backpacking since I was in my 40's. I'm in my mid 70's now. My biggest fear at this point is having some a-hole walk into my camp while I'm solo, asleep in my tent. It did happen one time. The guy woke me up at 1am and demanded that I pack up and move my camp to somewhere else. He felt my camp was too close to his. I hadn't noticed his camp when I set mine up earlier. I told him to f off and then he brandished a revolver. Realizing he was a crazy person I didn't want to risk getting shot. I convinced him I'd leave in the morning. He left me alone after that. In the morning i looked around but never saw the guy again. I still backpack but always think about that experience. I reported it at the ranger station on my way out

This was a cool format. 💪 I like the idea of "just asking" what is bothering your cousin rather than assuming (from our now fairly expert positions) that we accurately remember what gave us anxiety about being new at something.

1. Slipping on a banana peel 2. Running out of peanut butter in the middle of nowhere 3. Being cold, tired and hungry 4. Blisters 5. Other people who could steal your stuff

I really relate with the social anxiety, I think it’s a bit that fear of rejection. It’s challenging but very important to face it.

Your cousin is so lovely. Please tell him we are so grateful to him for his willingness to be vulnerable!

I admire Adam for doing something like this so publicly. If it hadn't been for my backpacking experience as a boy scout, I could definitely see myself having a lot of those same fears and anxieties when I got back into it as an adult. I'm surprised he didn't mention wildlife, especially while you're sleeping. I think that's a big fear for a lot of people.

Bringing people along is such a valuable thing. I am an avid hiker in the Norwegian mountains, but I havent done many trips on skis, so I was able to tag along with a friend who is experienced in the winter mountains. This helped a lot! ... especially because this is such a safety barrier for most people.

The fear of not knowing what caused that limb to snap a few feet from the tent in the middle of the night while alone. I'm way to easily jump scared.

I feared bullet resistant bears. After backpacking, my biggest fear was just other hikers being drunk or partying too loud on beautiful trails. Not life threatening but also not bad considering the silly fears I used to have.

I am an older, experienced backpacker. In the 70's it seemed easy, fun and we didn't plan too much other than finding a town to get a pizza and a beer. Now that I'm in my 60s it seems every time I get out on a section hike the trails seem so "crowded". Indeed, now I understand why many chose to hike off season. I think the answer is to explore trails that may not be popular or familiar. Time to get out of my comfort zone and explore.

When Im out by myself Im pretty good, but when I have my 6 & 8 year old kids I worry about everything. On their fist trip I barely slept every time they moved I checked on them if they woke up I asked if they were warm or needed anything. I didn't want them to be afraid for any reason.

the 10 minute mark hits biggest worries - Trip planning and logistics of just getting out there. Where do I park? What if there's no free sites where I wanted to camp? Where do I get water near this camp? Hiking the trails? No problem. Setting up to eat and sleep? No problem. It's the logistics of it that hang me up.

As a new hiker the things I still worry about before every day trip (haven’t dared overnight yet 😝) is: Being cold, being wet, being hungry, being thirsty or get injured (twisted ankle for example). And since we really do pack our fears, I still pack too much food and water and still bring a filter and way too many clothes to cover all weather conditions 😝 (Norway does generally not have that stable weather, it changes very quickly) But when I come back with leftover water and food and clothes I did not use, at least I feel happy that I had them with me just in case 😅

Darwin touched on the essence of it, at the beginning. EXPERIENCE. That will always be the best teacher. Get out and hike and camp. You'll find out what works...and what doesn't. Every trip will tend to add to your confidence. Eventually, you'll be able to lose the stress, as Darwin has.

Lots of great info as always, Darwin. I prefer to accept the suck instead of embracing it. I don’t see myself ever embracing being wet and cold but I can accept that that that’s part of trail life and this activity that I love. Accept the suck!

20:23 If you have an opaque poncho it can help hide your body from sight while you are going. Particularly if your back is to a tree and your front is covered by a poncho.

I was a truck camper/day hiker for a long tine. After like a year of research jumped into winter backpacking 😂 i work summer construction so thats my free time! Thankfully im a decently strong guy so i just deal with the weight... spent a good amount but happy with most of my gear! Have a new tent ordered, gonna try tarp camping... hopefully itll be here to test next weekend!

I'm new to this and hike alone. All my trips have to be loops or out and back because I have no way to get back to my vehicle. I'm think about leaving a bicycle at the end so I can ride back to my car. Also I have a job so one or two nights is a big trip for me.