Me, back in 1985 after doing Yosemite with a 60lb 5000ci (80L) Northface Back Magic frame pack. If ultralight was a thing i woyld have known about. 1980s bulky equipment. I still have the bag and Coleman Featherlight stove. Actually we had one small tent for 3 guys and shared the stoce. Still had all that weight.
I just wanted to tell you that you inspired me last summer, lose some weight. I was a little over 300 lb last July. Today, I weighed in at 258 lb. Thanks for the inspiration!
I'm working with my son on this. He has had a couple of miserable backpacking trips, one of which was totally my fault both for planning a trip that was too many miles, and worse for starting at the bottom of a HUGE climb. But he's hanging in there and wants to go again, but with shorter distance and a better plan. An issue I've had personally is not doing enough conditioning before heading out. I really wore out my knees on day 2 of a 26 mile trip, so what should have been a nice gentle 6-mile downhill hike out wound up being the hardest hike of my life. And I could barely walk for a week afterwards.
I tell people right off the bat, " Don't wait for me" Mostly because I am setting up shots, taking pictures and just chilling. I usually sleep outside the night before my hike, even if it's in my back yard. Lots of breaks will make the mile less painful. I try to always wear my t-shirt that says "Everything hurts, and I am dying." Pretty much sums up a day of hiking for me.. :) Bugs and bears tend to scare folks away or discourage them for sure.
Last person setting up and tearing down? That's usually me. I don't like to rush. :-) Reasons for not getting out on the trails: Too hot, too cold, too many bugs.
I think you nailed it. I also think there’s a huge difference between new backpackers who are going with sensible, experienced friends who can keep them from making basic mistakes (e.g., way too much gear, untested gear, too many miles) and those who are going into it blindly. For those who avoid the basic mistakes, bad sleep experience would be my #1 followed by hygiene/bad ‘bathroom’ experiences. Good video!
So don't be self conscious and learn from every trip. Best advice I have ever given! That is coming from a novice backpacker but an experienced bushcamper.
Let’s be brutally honest. Sometimes sleeping in the woods at night, especially alone, can be a downright scary experience. That harmless possum strolling through camp at 2 AM sounds like a 300 lb black bear from inside your tent. Deer snorting because you’ve invaded their bedding area cause visions of a pack of angry Sasquatch. Even the most “macho” have some trepidation once the sun goes down. C’mon. Admit it. There are times we’ve all been scared shitless.
We just took some new backpackers out on their first trip and I'm happy to say non of these things occurred for them. We chose a good trail, loaned them a few pieces of gear, they did good training and prep work and their first overnight trip out into the backcountry was a success!! I STILL have trouble with the sleep thing. If anything would make me quit it would be that! I need some way to just knock me out!! Great list of things to be mindful of Mr. Kelly!!
I'm not sure I've experienced this...When I started I was the new guy and as most of you know its hard to find folks to even want to attempt it...at least at my age. So not too many 1st timers. The newbies our group has taken is where the focus was. There was no chance we were going to hike off and leave the weakest link. I feel like we have a responsibility to make our trip match the weakest link and if you don't like that then you just do your homework ahead of time and don't bring a "problem" you can't handle. Funny thing is when we have had newbies, they've typically done well and our "experienced" hikers got altitude sick and had to turn around....with our star newbie (his wife). Your sleep comment is spot on...lesson one. Don't expect to get any sleep for a good many trips. It's strange, a bit uncomfortable, and weird. The lesson is you'll be just fine with a long rest. Don't change to a new quilt or pad or pillow....you just have to get used to it. And of course the last one up and last one packed SHOULD be pointed at and mocked relentlessly...that goes for everyone. Slackers
You covered it quite well and , Yes , the 1st night is always an acclimation night to being out there. The rest ...I believe the main reasons are unpreparedness both physically and mentally for folks starting out. Trying to much to start with and not have enough knowledge about it. Oversized packs ( the bigger the pack the more you want to stuff ( unnecessary junk ) in it. Then the haven't tried everything on a one night trip close to home or even in the backyard to learn the gear. Now combine trying to cover to great of a distance without broken in gear ( How many times have you heard , my aching feet ). Don't forget the night monsters like Big Foot ( Sasquatch ) prowling around the tent all night when its really just a field mouse. A harmless Armadillo in the palmettos sounds like a Tank. Best example of the classic mistake. A new guy had a new tent which was never set up ( still packed in the box , in his bag ) prior to the trip. In camp he managed have it up about an hour later. To top it off he set it up in a drainage area. We tried to warn him but he would not listen. That night it rained , rained hard and flooded him out , from the top and bottom, his tent leaked ( never was seam sealed ). You could say he was a unhappy camper all because he did not familiarized himself with everything before the trip , or listen. Never saw him again.
The first and last time I took my wife (then GF) camping, we ended up in a motel at 1:00 in the morning. My better-half needs PERFECT conditions for optimum sleep. 29 years later, she hasn't gone camping, but fully supports my endeavors at hiking and backpacking. You left out blisters, having to go in the woods, bugs, heat, cold, rain, etc. etc.
Some people quit after biting off more than they can chew. People who look at RU-vid videos and FB/IG posts get to see the most beautiful places around. Sometimes those places are as rugged as they are beautiful. I met someone who went out, purchased a bunch of heavy gear and went straight to Linville Gorge for their first trip after seeing all the beautiful photos and videos online. He decided on Pinch in trail. After the 1680ft descend in only 1.2miles he got to the river, set up camp and the next morning woke up and left the same way he came. A year later I saw him at a different place while he was day hiking. We chatted for a few minutes, he told me his experience at Linville Gorge was so horrible that he hasn't been backpacking since, and doesn't plan to go again. I guess it took him about 3hours to climb back out from the river. Linville Gorge is an awesome and amazing place, but I wouldn't recommend it as a destination to learn how to backpack. It's a goal to work towards once you get your pack dialed in and get those legs built up a little bit. Happy Trails y'all
No son, people quit because backpacking is a beatdown, it's not always romantic, it hurts and most people go backpacking after having not exercise much. It's the pain that makes them quit.
I saw one Mother and Son group quit due to not having done enough research as to the campsite they were going to. They had lightweight gear and knew how to use it, but didn't realize the sites had wooden platforms the tents had to be on and they had a semi-freestanding tent and no extra rope to guide out the rainfly or pitch the front of the tent properly...was a very cold, damp, cramped night for them as the temp dropped and frost and dew settled on everything
It always takes me a few days out on the trail before I'm even comfortable being out there. I imagine if someone doesn't have the patience to get into the groove, they'd think it would never be enjoyable based on their first few days. One guy I went with spent so much time with spreadsheets and schedules for a (proposed) 90 mile hike that he failed to listen to more experienced advice on carrying too much weight and also mistaking planning for preparation, that he ended up quitting after 7 miles.
I would say not doing their research. Not knowing their surroundings and potentially getting lost would completely derail any sort of fun out there. Confidence is key, in just about all your tips listed! And proper pre-planning is a great first step. Look at fees, know where water is, know the options on where to camp, know the weather/elevation, plan for bugs. The more you arm yourself with knowledge, the more confidence you'll have out there.
I suggest ... Earplugs A book on hiking the trail you are going to, many very inclusive Always eat samples of your trail food before you go. Some of those bars give folks diarrhea Start with very short miles and day hike around camp if frisky Go with folks with a good sense of humor It’s ok to cancel if the weather will be terrible Bring yummy treat foods and powdered drinks. ESP hot cocoa and coffee Liner socks Ask old timers for suggestions, ignore “know it all “ folks with brand new everything Everything else you said 😊
I think sometimes planning, logistically, where to hike and then be able to legally camp is daunting. I know that's something I've been having trouble with personally - and I know I love hiking/backpacking/camping already (but took time off from it for a few years and am just getting back to it). It's a lot to plan and if people don't like that it can be a whole lot that keeps them from doing it. It's so worth it though.
@@dustyc324 yeah but that doesn't mean it's not a complete pain in the butt if you're coming from it without a lot of experience doing so. Proper planning is incredibly important and shouldn't be overlooked - but I think you're missing the point here that figuring out where to go and where is legal to camp, pulling permits, and doing things correctly can be tough. I'm not talking gear or food honestly - but just location and legality.
@@DJBigC I feel ya. I have been on a busted trip because I didn't plan a camping location properly. Even woth some experience it can still be a pain. I agree. I'm planning two trips now and can't decide on a route. I've got too many options picked out. lol.
@@DJBigC I see your point, but it’s silly to think like that because this is not a hobby like painting model cars or something it’s not just pick up and go…
@@christianb8228 I mean yeah - but the whole point of responding here is reasons why people might stop after one trip. Hence this reason. Telling people to buck up it's not painting model cars isn't really a help lol
Hello John how's it going. That was a good video man & good reasons why people stop hiking. One of my son's cousin stopped hiking with us because he said it's too far of a walk. I told him come on man if I can hike that many miles in flip-flops being 300 lbs you can handle this hike too. PS. Your good buddy Wendell Fishing told me to tell you hello. So I'm passing the message to you. You take it easy buddy.
Food! A lot of people don't bring enough or bring the wrong kinds of food (doesnt fill u up, nutritionally poor etc) and quit because they are hungry or become sick. Also they wear the wrong kind of shoes and their feet hurt, get blisters, etc.
I imagine gear failure is a big reason. There's a lot more cheap gear available nowadays than ever before and well some is great, others are absolute garbage. And sometimes it's cheaply made over priced garbage.
No.... its because people are poor and cannot afford the time and money away from society to do a part or full trip. Many would. Many cannot due to money. That is reason #1
