10 Common Hiking Mistakes Most Beginners Make

[@michaelbutler1557]

I am in my sixties snd I have been climbing, bushwalking etc. for fifty years, including professionally. Your tips provided are spot on, as are your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks for the kind words. Appreciate it!

[@annarborthenorris5455]

My 1st backpack trip years ago I didn't take enough food..I almost didn't make it to the camp spot, I was so weak. On the way back out that trip I met hikers who didn't have enough water, and were struggling. I was able to share, because I knew where the next water was, and had plenty. Really good tips. I wish someone had told me before I left for that 1st trip.

[@mowsertas]

Yep, I think it’s a common mistake. I took so little food on some of my very first walks!

[@klarsen100]

I've seen a lot of backpacking videos and yours are underrated. Great job and keep up the great work!

[@mowsertas]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate the support and I'm glad you enjoy the videos!

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

#3 I recently came across an empty shelter...except for the animals living in it. I was glad to have my tent that night lol

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

#7 I skipped a chance to fill up on water because the creek was difficult to get to. I started cramping up before I could get to the next creek and I had to get rescued.

[@oscar38]

Over estimating your walking abilities leads to feeling like your failing everday, rather than enjoying it. Unrealistic targets lead to feeling useless and weak.

[@mowsertas]

Yep. Very good points!

[@tonydavis3796]

Just found your channel and enjoying the videos! I agree with 9 of the 10 mistakes. I belive the mistake of not eating enough food depends on context. For a hiker eating a standard diet getting most of their calories from carbohydrates it is true. If they don't keeping putting carbs in, they will start to feel poorly. But, I hike keto and consume very low carbs and rely on fat for energy. The amount I eat on a multiday walk doesn't matter so much because my body happily dips into body fat stores without effecting how energetic I feel. I do just a black coffee for breafast, then some pork scratchings, beef jerky and/or fatty salami for lunch and then a simple dinner made from freeze dried beef/chicken and freeze dried peas/mushrooms plus some spices. Just did a 6 day walk on K'gari and it worked really well.

[@mowsertas]

Sounds like you have a great system! Thanks for sharing!

[@anitaj.4991]

I live in a hilly coastal area. When training for an upcoming backpacking trip, I train for the terrain and elevation changes I will be hiking. Closer to the date of my trip, I add my pack on my training hikes and gradually increase the load I carry. What's harder to train for where I live is the altitude level for my planned hike. If I'm going to be hiking at altitude, I compensate by planning shorter hiking days on my trip.

[@mowsertas]

That's a smart approach! Training for the specific terrain and gradually increasing your load will definitely prepare you for the challenges ahead. Planning shorter hiking days at altitude is a great way to acclimatise.

[@thomasfinley7754]

I do change my socks daily. I'll get my feet dry at night and sleep in fresh socks fot the next day. Worth the weight for me.

[@mowsertas]

Totally understand that. I have similar things I carry to give me that little bit of luxury and comfort!

[@robertwinn4458]

Same here. Probably left over from my military career. Wet crappy issues boots always felt better coupled with foot powder.

[@TalesFromAbroad-SJ]

Great video, Matthew! 😃Your tips on avoiding common beginner hiking mistakes are super helpful. I appreciate how you break everything down in a way that’s easy to understand. Looking forward to more of your content - really great content! Cheers, Simon - Tales From Abroad

[@mowsertas]

Thanks Simon! Appreciate the kind words!

[@noisepuppet]

With an external frame pack, I'd stuff my sleeping bag in an oven bag tied off with rubber bands, stuffed in a stuff sack, lashed to the frame with nylon web. Dry as a bone and secure. Never counted on my pack to keep anything dry anyway. Anything i wanted dry went into mylar oven bags, squished all the air out and tied off. You could sink em for a week and everything inside would be dry. 🤷‍♂️

[@mowsertas]

I need to check these mylar bags out!

[@pronabmisra3175]

Though I am a simple dayhiker, your tips will definitely make my next trip easier. With love dear ❤️

[@mowsertas]

I'm glad you found the tips helpful for your next trip!

[@redphenix1033]

Lovely video for beginners - thanks on their behalf. Even though aimed at beginners, taking a physical map and compass applies to everyone though. Thanks also on their behalf. Eldons video please!

[@mowsertas]

Glad you enjoyed it! Eldons video is in post production. Hope to have out before end of July! Stay tuned!

[@praktika1082]

One of my daughter's friends was over for dinner last night and asked what she should do with a $100 gift certificate for BCF that her boyfriend's family had given her. She's a year out of high school, first-time keeping a hospitality job, still living at home, etc. I suggested investing in a quality big four item, even if it costs more than $100. She seems very reluctant to do that and wants to spend that amount and no more. I think that's a mistake. Get it right the first time and you don't have to replace crap gear.

[@wobblysauce]

But for the first time, she doesn't know what she wants.

[@mowsertas]

Yep, definately pays to invest in those big four items. Each of my first big fours took me a few years to obtain but I invested in quality and they all lasted for years! Other option is to wait a while and to think about what she needs and make the purchase when the need arises.

[@bananarama3624]

What about looking at 2nd hand but quality big 4 items? Sure it might go bad, but if you get a 2nd hand thermarest for 1/2 price that's pretty good. That's how many of us poor outdoor education students have managed to get our gear - especially expensive things like kayaks!

[@eliot1970]

Buy once, cry once.

[@mowsertas]

@@bananarama3624 also a good option. Some very high quality gear can be bought second hand, occasionally including some of my own gear!

[@ozrugbynut1729]

Great video! Ive definitely have done a few of these (the massive first aid kit for one!). While it is not an issue for everyone, blisters can really cause issues on the track.Think hard about your footwear and socks, strap your feet and field test everything if considering a multiday hike, as suggested. I personally also have a good think about contingencies (what ifs) for innocuous but critical things eg you lose your glasses.

[@mowsertas]

Yep, great point, blisters are a massive one! So big that I did a separate video going into them as well as another into boots and footwear. The contingencies is a great point too. I am always thinking of backup options for glasses malfunctions!

[@ozrugbynut1729]

@@mowsertas Cheers Mowser, still working through the playlist! 😋

[@YesItsMeYaBoiMCnuggie]

The heaviest things I have is my sleeping bag, water and clothes, that's about 50% of my weight 😅 I packed like I did in the military so it's not that I'm not used to it, but I'm looking for even lighter stuff that is equivalent in quality, but I'm a big guy so I won't find much lighter winter clothing tbh

[@hannahv8903]

Absolutely agree, after doing the OLT briefings in the visitor centre last year I have the same bug bears, everyone should just watch this before attempting it 😂 29kg was the heaviest pack I saw. Someone tried to go out with no sleeping pad or sleeping bag 🙅🏼‍♀️

[@mowsertas]

Thanks for watching! What on earth was their plan for sleep?! Just crazy. I used to see many similar scenarios when guiding on the OLT. No food, no gear. Just absurd!

[@MichaelGann-p1v]

I walk in Tassie a bit. Will do the Overland Track again this year in November, correctly. I love your vids and the great tips. Thankyou.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks so much for watching! I Never get sick of The Overland!

[@meganw686]

Been bushwalking in Tas for 30 years and I have made many of those mistakes (learning experiences 😊) - not all - and agree with all of your 10 points. I think there is a difference between developing your own style of walking, and doing things as a beginner that might get you in deep trouble when you haven't yet learned enough to get yourself out of trouble. The other reason I don’t like foam mats on the outside of packs is all the little pieces of mat left scattered on scrubby trails. One of my biggest mistakes was going on a long off track walk with a person i hadn't 'tested out' (as opposed to gear i hadn't tested) - not good. The other was a friend and I putting our packs down and wandering off - took a long time to find them again! That was over 20 years ago- still remember the feeling 😅

[@mowsertas]

Totally agree regarding the foam mats. Used to see that issue a lot!

[@draugnaustaunikunhymnphoo6978]

People strapping items on the outside of backpacks probably got this behavior from cartoons or movies growing up, thought this was how it's done.

[@mowsertas]

Who knew our childhood cartoons would have such a lasting impact on our packing techniques?

[@mowsertas]

Who knew our childhood cartoons would have such a lasting impact on our packing techniques?

[@anitaj.4991]

I generally try to keep water-containing items outside the main compartment to keep them accessible and away from sleeping bags and any electronics, and I keep out trail snacks that I can eat while walking, that's my exception to the "nothing on the outside" rule.

[@anitaj.4991]

Oh yeah, if I'm in bear country where bear spray is needed, the bear spray is also outside my pack right on the front of my waist.

[@roberttrinies7698]

A Sierra cup,or some type of mug hanging on the pack was "standàrd" equipment in the 70s. ✌🏼

[@draugnaustaunikunhymnphoo6978]

Here in California, the low temperature overnight is going to be 80 degrees with 20 mile per hour winds. A tent is gonna help you keep cool in the heat overnight.

[@mowsertas]

Wise advice!

[@danielbralver1559]

Ive got a number 11 I was doing a 40 mile traverse of the Wallowa mountains Climbed up 2500 ft to the first lake on my first night Ready early setting up camp, tent up , sleeping bag and pad set up comfy, ready for grup.... Whoops, forgot a cookpot Went 8 miles back to the trailhead

[@mowsertas]

Oh no!

[@vanquestgear]

@mowsertas Thanks for sharing great tips for packing efficiently, and providing your essential gear list. Many first-time packers/hikers carry too much gear or choose an improperly fitted backpack (giving them back pain). Kudos on mentioning proper nutrition and hydration before starting! 👍🎒 -Alex@Vanquest

[@mowsertas]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Alex! It's so important to pack smart and stay hydrated to make the most of our hiking adventures.

[@JBereza]

Actually cotton t-shirt can be fun if you go in hot summer in Spain. You soak it in cold water put it on and walk. Just make sure you can repeat that often and also that it won't dry :-D Regarding to overpacking... if you do that consistently... you will end up with really strong legs :-D But it won't be easy and maybe not a fun as well. Make sure you won't trade of weight for your own safety. Rescue service is not a taxi service. But otherwise yes... finding balance is not easy.

[@mowsertas]

Overpacking is my leg-day workout plan now! Who needs the gym, right?

[@JBereza]

@@mowsertas I mean you can buy yourself weight vest for gym training anyway... or just go for walk with overweight backpack :-D ...just make sure to use it in enviroment where you don't get into trouble if it sucks all your energy and you can no longer move :-D

[@jamesdavis3851]

Yeah, the beginner mistake is NOT wearing cotton if you're in a dry, hot climate. Seeing folks in expensive synthetics through a desert hike is an eye roller.

[@callumguy4]

Stuff on outside of pack drives me nuts. Thinking of getting a hmg bag that will fit everything inside but can’t believe the amount of gear people strap to the outside

[@markhiggins3054]

Where is the best place to get physical maps? Thank you once again.

[@mowsertas]

Obviously depends which area. Many are available for purchase online. In tasmania I purchase from Geographical in Hobart. They have a website and do laminate maps too. They are also able to source maps for lots of places around the world. Otherwise I am googling local mapping agencies and finding who sells their maps. I often take other maps to geographically so that they can laminate them for me.

[@markhiggins3054]

@ thanks heaps will check them out as I’m in South Australia.

[@needtokeepwalking]

I remember my first trip, I was only doing a couple of hours hike in for an overnight camp and hike out. I had a macpac 65 litre completely packed and ready to explode, thing mist have weighed 20kg. I also did the hike not understanding load lifters and had one completely tight, and the other about 6cm loose, oh the pain. Still, it was a life changing adventure.

[@mowsertas]

🤣😂 sounds all too familiar of my early days!

[@TasHikingAdventures]

When I was doing the OT back in 2022 I met this guy from melb who had brought his food in a Tupperware container it was huge, I was like damn man it's taking up half your pack 😂😂bloody tourist lol 😂🤣

[@mowsertas]

Have seen the exact same thing!

[@Sleeve_that_rare]

500 likes! (Commented on wrong video before). Thanks for the great advice

[@mowsertas]

Glad it helped! 😂

[@MoeketsiThebe-fe2bh]

I've hiked up a mountain and to get there and one person brought the wrong tent poles .

[@mowsertas]

Oh no! I’ve seen that happen too!

[@trailsandbeers]

biggest mistake; pack weight > 3kg

[@matthewnighthawkcolson1109]

I'm not mad or ticked off with you but I have to say I don't agree with this video or all the ones like it that people are posting. Just like you, I have my own way of doing things too. I don't tell everyone that their way is wrong though. Almost everyone posting videos these days just talk about NOOB hikers and how they do everything the way you're not doing it. I've been hiking 40 years and love my 2.5 pound air mattress and clip stuff to the outside of my pack because that's how I like it. If you want to help new hikers, give them tips! Stop telling them they are making mistakes just because that's not how you do it. Life is about learning so tell people what works for you but let them decide what works for them.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks for sharing! I completely understand where you're coming from, and I respect your experience and the way you prefer to hike. My intention with this video was to offer advice based on my personal experiences and common issues I've observed among new hikers when I've worked as a hiking guide. It's all about sharing tips to help others have a better experience, not to invalidate anyone's methods or preferences and if it came across that way then that's bad on my behalf. I also make plenty of other videos offering tips for hikers of all levels and styles. My content is highly focused on Tasmanian hiking conditions, where if we leave stuff attached outside our packs, it often becomes detached and destroyed due to the intense scrub and weather conditions here. Hiking is a deeply personal activity, and everyone develops their own style over time. The goal here is to provide insights and options, so everyone can make informed decisions that work best for them. I appreciate your input and will certainly consider it for future content. Happy hiking!

[@trailsandbeers]

the title is just click bait to get more views... the only person on the planet who doesn't make hiking mistakes is me... 🤔🤪