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There's a difference between backpacking and hiking. What I tend to see is people often preparing as if we're going backpacking for days just to hike 12 miles

There's a difference between backpacking and hiking. What I tend to see is people often preparing as if we're going backpacking for days just to hike 12 miles in a day, usually climbing up to some ridge from a beach then back down to the coast here around the SF bay area. I'm not advising people stop preparing appropriately for the situation at hand, but it's worth noting that people tend to overpack and actually make it unnecessarily harder on themselves in the process. Increasing the likelihood of injury with the added load and altered center of gravity. I used to carry way too much crap on the most trivial of hikes, because it was all crazy nature outdoorsy stuff. After getting more experienced, my actual requirements are much better calibrated to the task at hand. The only advice I'd actually give newbies to the outdoors is to go with someone experienced and listen to what they recommend bringing.

sixstringtheory 8y ago
Backpacking and hiking are different, true. And I’ll admit that on 1-2 hour trail runs I don’t bring water. But please consider that you are hiking in a place with optimal climate. A 12 mile hike in Colorado can take you through 3 seasons, and high enough to develop altitude sickness. I consider myself experienced, but I minimally still bring food, water, extra layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a knife and a small first aid kit, and I use all of them every time except the first aid. My wife and I also carry two-way radios because sometimes I like to forge ahead. My pack comes in around 10 lbs during the summer. At the end of the day I’m not even saying you’re wrong. We take calculated risks like not carrying water on a trail run, but they are still risks. Your original post came off like someone declaring a position of authority and ended stating an all day hike can be done without water. I just wanted to make sure people who saw that and might not know better saw another perspective. Happy trails!

sixstringtheory 8y ago

Backpacking and hiking are different, true. And I’ll admit that on 1-2 hour trail runs I don’t bring water. But please consider that you are hiking in a place with optimal climate. A 12 mile hike in Colorado can take you through 3 seasons, and high enough to develop altitude sickness. I consider myself experienced, but I minimally still bring food, water, extra layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a knife and a small first aid kit, and I use all of them every time except the first aid. My wife and I also carry two-way radios because sometimes I like to forge ahead. My pack comes in around 10 lbs during the summer. At the end of the day I’m not even saying you’re wrong. We take calculated risks like not carrying water on a trail run, but they are still risks. Your original post came off like someone declaring a position of authority and ended stating an all day hike can be done without water. I just wanted to make sure people who saw that and might not know better saw another perspective. Happy trails!