How To Keep Going When Backpacking Sucks
Today we are having a good old fashioned vent sesh! While I obviously LOVE backpacking for so many reasons, there are a lot of things about backpacking that just flat out suck. And I think it’s important to be realistic about those things. Backpacking isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and gorgeous views and clean pit toilets. A lot of the time, it’s just the opposite.
My internet friend, @enviromac suggested this content idea and as soon as I heard it, I was inspired. There are so many things about backpacking that suck, and over the years I’ve dealt with quite a few of them. In fact, there are so many ways that backpacking sucks that I realized this needs to be a series because there were too many to fit into one post, so stay tuned and buckle up for the suck fest!
My goal for this series is to commiserate with fellow backpackers about all the shitty parts of backpacking, prep newcomers for the things that will make them want to quit, and share some insights on what has kept me going through the years even on the absolute worst days on trail.
This is another instance where I decided to poll my instagram audience for their opinions, so I’ll be putting usernames up periodically to show where i’ve been assisted with external input!
FILTERING WATER SUCKS
(@ll_kool_jones, @brontebee)
One of the most common responses was filtering water and I honestly have to agree. Once you’ve been doing it for a while it gets so old, so fast. In the United States, we sacrifice the conveniences of clean running water for beautiful adventures in the backcountry.
And while the mindset shift of realizing we are lucky to have clean water is helpful, it doesn’t always make filtering water suck any less. So if that isn’t helpful some things that have helped me over the years are:
Taking good care of my filter. Backflush in every town, and even better, backflush while you are out on trail. If you can avoid murky water sources to begin with this will also help.
Sleep with your filter if nightly temps are going to get low so it doesn’t freeze. The only thing that sucks more than filtering is filtering and it’s not actually doing anything cus your filter froze.
Use aquatabs, this video isn’t even sponsored but if you are truly dead sick of filtering, give yourself a break and treat your water with Aquatabs instead, I’ve done this many times for a short reprieve from squeezing.
THE LAST MILE BEFORE CAMP SUCKS
(@katieb3th)
While most miles are 5,280 feet long, the last mile before camp on a backpacking trip is actually much, much longer. It defies the laws of physics, but it’s true, and anyone who has slogged through that last mile can vouch for me. The last mile before camp on a bad day, especially, just flat out sucks.
The best methods I’ve come up with for dealing with the “last mile before camp” blues are:
Listen to your favorite music (or podcast). Reserve an emergency playlist for special occasions such as this where only the best tunes will get you through.
Ban yourself from checking your mileage. This is difficult and motivation for self-discipline is low at times like these, but it’s essential. The more you check, the longer that mile gets.
Find a buddy. If there are people around, ask someone to share the misery with you. Miles with friends always go by faster than miles alone.
NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP
(@unapologeticallywild)
Sleeping while backpacking is harder for some folks than others, and harder on certain days than others. Not getting good sleep is sucky and can make for a miserable trip, but some ways I ensure good sleep on trail are:
Having a dialed in sleep system that’s comfortable to me. I’ve upgraded from a foam pad to a blow up for this exact reason.
Hiking a lot will usually wear me out more and lead to better sleep.
Listening to white noise or anything you can fall asleep to on your phone can help drown out noises that might otherwise keep you up, just make sure you aren’t drowning out EVERYTHING.
Pack melatonin or benadryl to help push you into sleepiness when you get desperate.
Don’t be afraid to take an afternoon nap if you need it to catch up on some rest.
I did a video about solo backpacking that goes a little more in depth on how to get better sleep, so be sure to check that out.
BUGS (FLIES/MOSQUITOES/TICKS/ANYTHING THAT BITES) SUCK
BUGS, EW! Bugs are usually fine, except the ones that bite. Those really suck. Mosquitoes are the ones I have the most experience with and those blood suckers will make you question your entire life. If you hit a marshy area at the right time of day after a lot of snow melt, it might make you never want to backpack again. I get it, it sucks.
Here’s what I do that does not make bugs not suck, but makes dealing with them suck less:
Treat your clothes with Premethrin. This is practically a requirement for me in the summers in Colorado. It does make a difference and it deters ticks too.
Carry bug spray. I like Picaridin because it’s less toxic and won’t melt your gear like Deet. Apply it liberally.
Carry a bug head net. The one I have is less than an ounce and keeps bugs from flying in your face which is definitely the suckiest part about hiking through buggy areas.
Rain gear is a great defense against bugs, too. When they get especially bad at dusk, it’s sometimes cool enough to hike in rain pants and keep mosquitoes off your legs.
Camp away from the bug’s home. Avoid marshy areas with little wind.
BEING FILTHY / NOT BEING ABLE TO SHOWER SUCKS
(@snowboardin1 , @kellyhiking, @k80.trail)
Being a disgusting, filthy human being is the price we pay for uninterrupted days in the backcountry. And while the price is low to some, it’s high for others and can really suck sometimes. I’ve gone long enough without a shower on backpacking trips to get this prickly feeling, especially on my back, that sometimes even hurts? I hope that’s not just me…
Anyway, being disgusting for days at a time, and the smells that come with it, can really suck.
How I deal with being feral, nasty hiker trash:
Baby wipes! Baby wipes are a godsend and I rarely go on a trip without them. Pack enough so that you can give yourself a little baby wipe bath at the end of the day.
Creek baths & laundry. Sometimes a good rinse is really all you need. Just remember to follow Leave no Trace principles.
Soap? I don’t personally use soap, but if you are finding it really hard to deal, you can always pack out some soap and do a proper backcountry shower/laundry. Just remember that you have to take even biodegradable soap at least 200 feet away from streams and creeks! It will still disrupt fragile ecosystems.
Hand sanitizer / keeping your hand clean can be huge, rinse them off in creeks and use hand sanitizer.
BACKPACKING FOOD SUCKS
(@kellyhiking, @enviromac)
Backpacking food, usually, objectively sucks. It should tell you something that freeze dried meals are basically a luxury for thru-hikers. We frequently subsist on things like ramen bombs, literally a concoction of deep fried noodles and instant mashed potatoes. You can only eat so many bars…
While backpacking food is far from the luxuries we can obtain in town or cook for ourselves at home, there are a few ways to make backpacking food suck a lot less;
Packing out spices. They’re light and can add some much needed zest to a tired bag of knorr pasta sides. My favorite is chili flakes.
Pack out some fresh vegetables. Many things will keep for at least the first day or two out of town, and packing a bag of spinach, some baby carrots, or even an apple can add some much needed nutrients to an otherwise very drab food bag.
Try new things! See what your backpacking pals are packing out and add some new items to your tried and true backpacking food lineup.
Pack out town leftovers. Packed out pizza and sub sandwiches are basically 5 star meals on backpacking trips.
Dehydrate your own. I haven’t done this yet, but I think experimenting with dehydrating some of my own meals at home might help me enjoy more food while backpacking.
In the next installment of this series I’m going to talk about how much the weather can suck while backpacking and so much more after that. So be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!
I would like to end on a positive note that has helped me through MANY sucky moments while backpacking. I heard this on a Backpacker Radio podcast from @quadzillahikes. He talked about a quote he learned I believe on a meditation retreat which was, “everything is temporary.” I have found myself returning to that quote in many sucky moments, on long climbs and cold mornings, I remind myself, “this is just temporary”. And it does help. Sometimes the idea that this simply won’t last forever is enough to get you through.
If you have any tips or questions or just want to talk about how much backpacking sucks in the comments, please do.