Backpacking Mistakes. Lessons Learned In The Badlands.

Backpacking Mistakes. Lessons Learned In The Badlands. I just returned from a 22.8 mile backpacking trip on the Sage Creek Loop in the Badlands National Park. Simple enough right? I was over confident and underestimated this trail and the atmospheric conditions.
Oh, one last thing not included in this video. The lows called for 32° overnight. I brought my 30° topquilt. It dropped to 19°…
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[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Yep (hand raised) I forgot the water bottle. This was excellent pal. People can learn a LOT from our foolishness!

[@robpelton]

Overall, a grand adventure. Could it have been bad? Yep. Was it? Nope. Lessons were learned.

[@NJHeart2Heart]

Some of the most interesting vid are the ones with lessons learned! GREAT lesson reminders, and great vid to watch at the beginning of the hiking season!

[@robpelton]

Hiking season is upon us! Where is your 1st trip?

[@markcummings6856]

Extremely valuable video. I’ve always said, unless you have hiked every region and trail in America 2X, you will always learn something. Can’t wait to see the video.

[@robpelton]

Exactly. Video dropping Thursday! 3/31!

[@Toots807]

10/10 this is the humbling attitude we should have as outdoors enthusiasts. Set the bar high rob. Lead by example. Your the man.

[@robpelton]

All learning lessons friend. Thanks Adam!

[@GratefulTrekker]

It's great to see 2 different perspectives

[@robpelton]

My perspective will be out Thursday! 3/31

[@robertyounger2460]

Hi Rob, this is Rob Younger - we met out in the Badlands this past week. Just checking out your channel and thought I'd say hi. Looking forward to seeing the video of your hike when you get it uploaded.

[@robpelton]

Greetings Rob! It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Thanks for stopping by. The trip video will be out this Thursday. 3/31.

[@mtnbound2764]

good stuff, thanks for sharing your experience, mistakes and what you learned.

[@robpelton]

We’re we in imminent danger? Not really. The potential was there and really made me think. Thanks for watching!

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Love that shirt. Sounded like a wild trip. Great tips for any Backpacker 👍🏻👍🏻

[@robpelton]

Thanks Jason!!

[@cachemacstrailtime]

These are the trips that really stand out. Great learning experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@robpelton]

I really enjoyed this trip. It was a decent challenge for the 1st outing of the season. We weren’t in imminent danger, but the potential was definitely there. Thanks for watching!

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Good advice Rob!

[@robpelton]

Thanks John!

[@alexwbanks70]

Just watched Buckley's video. Good stuff! That's tough going that far without water sources. Glad you guys made it out!

[@robpelton]

It was a good time! Type 2 fun. Lol. Thanks for watching!

[@dontall71]

You may save a life by sharing this! Thanks!

[@robpelton]

I appreciate you watching! Cheers.

[@SignalOutdoors]

You win some you lose some. Coming out unscathed with great memories sounds like a win in my book though. 🏆 Stay cool brother. ✌️

[@robpelton]

Well said and I agree! Thanks for watching!

[@brandyhouston2105]

Don't worry about nothing bro..😎 I always have 'things' happen in the Bush like getting lost, wearing the wrong clothes, sleeping out in the wind, rain, lightning, sometimes I've used my tent as raft lol...thanks for making the video.

[@robpelton]

Type 2 fun! Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@BarryStahl]

Attempted that loop 8 years ago. Underestimated water as well. Took 9 liters but it was late July and temps were over 100 degrees.

[@robpelton]

Oh dang. Brutal.

[@trailheadjunkie]

I think most of us have similar stories and it can happen anytime. We learn from our mistakes so we can be better. For me I did a 10 mile day hike of which 5 miles were i incline and only brought 1 litre of water thinking it was enough. I underestimated the weather and my body that day I went through all my water by the the 5 mile mark my legs started cramping up the rest of the hike. I was really dehydrated and turned out be a big learning experience for me.

[@robpelton]

Oh yes. I have definitely been there! Some lessons are best learned the hard way I’m afraid. Thanks for watching!

[@waltbrim5897]

All so true. So why am I sitting thinking "that sounds like a really good time". Adventure isn't fun while it's happening.

[@robpelton]

You’re right! That’s why it’s called an adventure! Haha.

[@yevenstee]

Great vid. You could've easily edited something to make it look as if everything went off without a hitch. Sometimes even the most seasoned people need basic reminders that are easily overlooked.

[@robpelton]

I certainly could have! The trip drops on Thursday. It shows the fun stuff. Haha.

[@yevenstee]

@@robpelton looking forward to it!

[@SkitterComic]

My first (and only, so far) backpacking experience went horribly wrong because my pack weighed too much (40 lbs). Especially for all the steep ups and downs. I'll never do more than about 30lbs from this point forward.

[@robpelton]

Oh yes. The dreaded overly packed pack! I’ve been there. Haha.

[@jonsanford2515]

I filled up two 1 liter bottles the night before a long difficult day hike at Shenandoah NP, and put them in the fridge. I realized they were still in the fridge at the trailhead, after a two hour drive, and already an hour later than we wanted to start. It was going to take half an hour to drive to the nearest gas station and back. I found a single empty 750ml bottle in the car and had my water filter, so I headed out on a 12 mile hike with 2800’ of elevation gain (and loss), on a 90 deg day. I knew we were following a stream the whole way, so I figured I could manage. Even though I could see water all day long, you could only access the stream at a handful of points, due to the elevation. There was only 1 place to safely access the water in the second six miles. Not life threatening, but uncomfortable, and a giant pain in the butt.

[@robpelton]

This scenario happens a lot more often than one would think. Forgetting something and not wanting to take the time to retrieve it can make for an interesting trip! Looking back, however, what an adventure. Lol. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@FourOneOneClan]

I was caught in a similar weather situation on my first solo NP trip out here last November, changed the way I see my sleep system. Cant wait to come back early July for my first backpacking overnighter, if it goes well I might try another one in Teddy Roosevelt the following week. Great advice, think its worth bringing a tent or going with a bivvy in regards to wind?

[@robpelton]

I like the idea of a Bivvy from a weight and simplicity perspective. However, not having the room would be an issue for me. Haha.

[@MidwestBackpacker]

lol. Good times.

[@robpelton]

Always!

[@phillipp1399]

I’m a safety geek. I don’t know how many times people have said I take things “too seriously” like insisting on the 10 essentials for a

[@robpelton]

It’s a good rule to be overcautious in certain things. Especially if it’s a group or family. However, planning and/or packing for every conceivable scenario isn’t practical. Plus, spontaneity has its own brand of fun. It’s a compromise on all those fronts. We’re we in serious danger? Not really. Did it have potential? Of course. So does flying and eating gas station sushi. Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@phillipp1399]

Of course one can’t pack and plan for every conceivable scenario, to suggest so would be absurd. With little effort though one can ensure they’re covered for most likelihoods, hence the 10 essentials. You’re covered if *some* things go wrong, but not necessarily covered if *many* things go wrong. The whole “within reason” concept. You weren’t in serious danger here but you got close enough in an environment challenging enough to imagine how easily you could be in serious danger. Seems a good thing to listen to while becoming aware of a simple baseline to toe in order to avoid future fear/discomfort. Or worse. None of this has any impact on spontaneity, so long as you’re actually as ready for “anything” as you think you are. Safety is one of the few things in life where [over]compromise can be deadly, or deeply regrettable.

[@toddjenest3212]

Welcome to the Infantry! Hooooah!

[@robpelton]

#gruntlife. Lol

[@graceham1]

Lots of water to me is the big thing, especially if there are no water sources available on the trail.

[@robpelton]

The wind really played a factor in water consumption. 30+ mph near us up. Haha. Hindsight, always 20/20, says we should went back for that 32oz bottle back at the car. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@Liam__G]

Oh. I've been there. I didn't even want to car camp. Good for lizards. Inhospitable. Lol. Great challenge! However, I once got lost in a metro park. I was having a balance issue throwing me off, ended up off trail and disoriented. It can happen anytime.

[@robpelton]

That sounds scary! The Badlands is pretty unique. Not something to venture to frequently. IMHO. Thanks for watching!

[@j3hikes444]

love your shirt lol

[@robpelton]

Ha! Thanks!

[@safromnc8616]

Rob - It happens to us all - am curious as to the trail you guys were doing. I'm looking at a big NatGeo map right now trying to decide some places/routes (which is difficult because we don't have our time or timing planned out as yet). Any Badlands info is appreciated. I know Buckley is the local, so hope he will chime in as well.

[@robpelton]

Lots of stuff in there. Check out the trails in the “All Trails” app. We did the Safe Creek Loop. Not recommended for beginners. Thanks for watching!

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

Yeah, it sucks how many hikes are rated "hard", like you said most arent bad... i put on over 30 miles on that trail in 2 nights.... was only my 3rd backpacking trip but day hiked for years... following the trail,,, no you were following the idea of a trail haha! Also 3-4L is crazy!! I took 10L, was heaviest bag i ever carried....

[@robpelton]

Ya. Hindsight taught us a lot! Haha.

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

@robpelton still a blast, loved I was only one in the wilderness for the whole weekend 😀 training atm to hopefully go do my first 14er this spring

[@20Hikecdt23]

GPS like a Garmin gpsmap 66 series

[@robpelton]

Yep. That would have very useful. Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@20Hikecdt23]

@@robpelton however, no “mistake” made , Rob. These things are always contingent upon changing circumstances andnif you carried everything for every contingency you would not be able to backpack. Hey, sure appreciate your vids. I did get the “dogbone” and it’ll be fun to use. Only thing I’m going to do is paint it a bright color in case I drop it.

[@unpavedexplorer338]

So far, I have made some type of mistake on every hike.

[@robpelton]

We all do. Some minor. Some disastrous. Haha. Thanks for watching!

[@mikeghost7788]

I don't get it? Where the problem was? Textbook stuff, get friend, get lost, camp. Again problems???

[@robpelton]

Type 2 fun my guy. Lol.