And it was quite the learning curve! I had to figure out what gear we needed, food, and travel logistics for a five day hike. We borrowed a lot of stuff from my dad and brother who had been Boy Scouts, I made up some meals with dried veggies and noodles in ziplock bags, got a pack for our dog, and away we went! That trip was an amazing experience but there is A LOT I would have done differently when it comes to prepping for a hike but either way I recommend just going for it and getting out there! Thankfully you'll be more prepared then we were!
So you want to go hiking?
First: pick a place and a time to go. Do some research on the best time of the year to go so you aren't stuck in mud if its the rainy season, etc. If you're a newbie then maybe start with just a local weekend trip. Also get a rough estimate on costs so you aren't surprised when you find out the ferry ride is $360 or something like that.
Second: make a list of the gear you are going to need and start gathering everything asap. I recommend making, borrowing, or buying secondhand as much as you can (unless of course you're rich and then feel free to go on an REI shopping spree).
Third: read up on the area and gather maps to make a hiking plan. Be sure to know where you plan to camp each night and how you are going to get back to your vehicle. Leave a copy with someone so if you get injured or lost they can have an idea on where to start looking for you (God forbid!).
Fourth, get out there and make the best of it! The beauty of backpacking is once your in the wilderness everything stressful melts away and you just go with the flow! Enjoy the trip! I also recommend journaling, its a very peaceful activity and gives you something to look back at once you get home.
The rest of this blog will have more indepth tips on preparing for hikes as well as my reviews and ideas for hiking different trails in Michigan. =)
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