This is why they all hate hiking

Check out these 5 mistakes that first-time thru-hikers will make when they're new to hiking. I take my friend Mark out on a 4-day hiking trip and we both make some rookie mistakes that you can avoid in this video!

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[TheLittleRavn]

Hi Mark. Sorry for the delayed comment :(

[gonzalesrafael]

thumbs up for the "oh hi mark"

[zuLess]

My five rules would be: 1) Start with shorter distances then increase your range over several years -- know your limits by testing them in safe environments (closer to "civilization"). Remember that walking with a backpack is way different than doing test hikes without one. 2) Never start a trip in the mountains with shoes that you have not walked at least three hikes in the woods with and not had any problems with. Use experiences with blisters to tape up your feet before they get blisters instead of after. 3) Dont carry more than you need -- plan it meticulously. 4) Weather in the mountain may switch rapidly, so be ready to switch clothes quick and easy by packing smart and having your alternative clothes on the top in your backpack. 5) You will always encounter things that you didnt know or anticipated. A good spirit goes a long way -- make the best of it with the tools your party has with them, and have fun!

[obadiahscave]

Dont start your first hike on a difficult, long, high intensity trip..
Start slowly..
That's the number one thing..

[ArlanKels]

4 day hiking trip?
most people I know have a hard time walking down the street for ten minutes.

[swashbucklingadventures]

I started hiking back when I was 14 and thanks to a Native American, I was shown some great tips on things like eating cactus fruits and looking for the licorice plants to brush off the needles. Also and probably one of the most helpful tips that I still use to this day, always, always stop and look around. Not just look around at the bushes or trees but the major peaks around so your mind makes a mental stamp. It was mentioned in this video. You never know if you're ever in trouble or disoriented, that stamp will help you get your bearings. Hiking for 40 years now and that alone has helped many times. I smile whenever I stop and look around and remember learning that. Be safe and happy trails ✌

[akina]

Hello from Hokkaido!
Extra tips based from my own errors.
Do bring extra batteries for your flashlight.
Do bring a needle and tape for blisters.
Do bring a bottle of whiskey to celebrate on top with friends :) (Optional)

[maerosss]

I would add this from personal experience for first-time hikers:
- Make sure your shoes are well fit for your feet and also prepare for blisters
- Prepare for mosquitos (but don't melt your valuable gear while spraying).
- If it starts raining, accept you're gonna get wet, no matter what(but don't get your backpack wet). Either you poorly prepared and you get soaked, or you have good gear and the trapped perspiration & sweat soaks you from inside. Just accept it and relish it like a dog bathing in a mud ;-)
- In winter, turn your bottles upside down during the day and keep them in your sleeping bag during night(As well as all battery-powered devices, as said in video)
- Don't skimp on food, just cause of heavy backpack. It might seem like you counted exactly what you need and you probably did, but not enough to feel satisfied, not enough for in-between snacks and you gonna get grumpy then.

[williamstephenson]

"Say Hi Mark..." "Adios" - Man that made me laugh so hard.

[blunzn]

Went hiking with friends this Spring and the list I could come up with for COMPLETE rookies would be this:
- Know the route. A friend had known one of the routes in the area, but there were two and we went up the one none of us were familiar with. Got lost on the way down (had a panic attack)
- WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES. I'm aware most who set out to hike already own ones, but my friend's and I didn't (we didn't think we'd need them, rather, because none of us knew how high or ICY it would get)
- Bring water. More than you think you need, because you're probably going to need more.
- Start early enough so you don't end up in pitch black woods and have a panic attack (see point one)

[xeniahaberditz]

Chase, take it from a geologist: not all water that runs through earth is good water. Like you said in the video with the cows, you never know from where it comes. Also, water is naturally purified by sickering through the ground by bacteria only after 10 days!!
Better have those tablets/UV/charcoal filter with you. Once purified, indeed, it is really great water.

[metouw]

I agree with the list of tips mentioned in the video but would like to add some as well:
1) Don't bring too much stuff! I'm not advocating for anyone to go ultra light, but newbies tend to bring way too much weight. Like gadgets and extra clothes you will never use or don't really need. I myself ended up focusing more on "are we there yet?" instead of "wauw, it's amazing being out here in this beautiful nature" because my feet were hurting so much from all that unecessary weight.
1.1) In addition to the above and the bonus tip in the video (get hike strong 7:52) consider if you're the kind of person that could benefit from losing some bodyweight. I was and still is a pretty average guy within the recommended BMI, but over the past year I started taking the bicycle to work (20min each way) and eat a little more responsible (nothing fanatic at all) and so far I've lost about 10kg and gained a little extra strength in my legs as well.
Now I feel a huge difference when I'm out hiking. All together I prob. spared my feet from having to carry 15-20kg of... excess fat and other things I don't really need. In retrospective I basically carried an extra backpack around that I never used when I was out hiking... that's insane to think about. I can totally recommend this for many reasons.

2) Don't underestimate the importance for propper footwear (including socks).


Bonus: In regards to water filtering I highly recommend 'katadyn befree'. It's made my process of getting clean water while being outdoors so much more convenient.

[calandprem]

when talking about water, you reminded me about a time my friends and i found some crystal clear beautiful little river on a hot day and i just began drinking it up and washing my face only to see a dead beaver two stories of rock above after exploring further. Luckily no one was affected but it was close.

[diamondeggs]

1- Communication
2- Check your gear off list
3- Start cold
4- Drinking water safety
5- Navigation skills

[Nabagabo]

Some great tips here! The navigation comment - I once stepped off the trail in Sweden, a suddenly everything looked the same - same trees, rocks, grey sunless sky - my visual references were gone - it was genuinely frightening. These days I'm always with a compass, I use the map often to identify names of landscape features, but perhaps best of all - taking an interest in (being present in) the landscape I'm travelling in including looking back to see another view - this adds up to much better 'situational awareness' not only 'where am I' but changing weather, how much daylight is left, are the animals worried about anything - all clues to developments that might turn against you if you're not taking some action now! Recommended reading 'Natural Navigation' by Tristan Gooley is all about reading the landscape.

[JohnGAndino]

I learned how to use a compass when I was a kid, really helpfull now this days, for the 6 thing to keep in mind CHECK THE WEATHER THE DAY BEFORE GOING OUT ON A TRIP TO BE PREPARED AND READY OR CHANGE THE DAY

[ilikemoviesandmore]

Additional, pretty basic but fundamental tip imo: be prepared for any weather. Weather in the mountains can be extremely unpredictable. So always bring some rain proof clothing, even if the sun has been shining for weeks. And know what to do in a thunder storm, you don't want to panic when lighting is striking around you.

[markfoz]

“Every trip I go on I always forget something even if I have a list” makes me question the effectiveness of having that list. 😂

Great video good luck everyone

[diedertspijkerboer]

My tip for not forgetting gear is to have it grouped in bags. You make a list of what's in each bag and can check off which bags are in your backpack.
Also: a to pack and to do list for your day of departure.

[Andrea-movies]

double socks changed my life! thick socks over regular socks = no blisters. Make sure the thick socks are larger than your normal shoe size.