Your first overnight hiking trip is an experience you’ll never forget. There’s nothing like being fully immersed in nature, sleeping under the stars, and experiencing the true peace of a long hike.
If you’ve never done it before though, you need to make sure you’re properly prepared. While overnight hiking is a wonderful experience, it can also turn sour pretty quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing.
To help you get started on the right foot, here are ten essential beginner tips for overnight hiking.
Start Easy
If you’re new to overnight hiking, don’t challenge yourself with a crazy ten-day trek. Start small, and build your way up.
Start with a moderate plan for your first hike – choose two shorter day hikes. Give yourself enough time to reach your camping spot before dark so you don’t have to rush or set up camp in the dark.
This doesn’t only apply to distance, but also to climate. Try to do your first overnight hike in warm, dry, and pleasant conditions. As a new hiker, getting stuck in a rainstorm at night can be pretty off-putting.
Of course, remember to let someone know your plans before you go.
Pack the Right Essentials
Packing is often the most difficult part when it comes to getting overnight hiking right for beginners. It takes a few long hikes to really nail down your equipment list.
When planning a hiking trip, it’s not necessary to buy expensive gear. You can borrow most of the equipment you need. However, you will need a lightweight tent, a sleeping bag, and a comfortable mat to sleep on.
Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring extra pairs of socks to avoid dampness. Dress in layers with hiking pants/shorts, a merino wool vest/t-shirt, and a light down jacket. Waterproof clothing is a must as the weather can change quickly.
Some other must-haves include a water purifier, sunscreen, headlamp, emergency first-aid kit, and a small trowel for when nature calls.
Make sure you bring utensils, a stove, and a pan for cooking, and pack items such as water, a map, and snacks in easily accessible pouches. Bring everything you need! Forget it behind, and you have no access to it when you’re out in the wilderness.
Don’t Forget the Food
You’ll be burning a lot of calories while you hike, so a filling meal is always important. Although, you don’t have much space to carry food, so you have to be smart about meal planning.
When planning your meals for a hiking trip, aim for options that are lightweight, compact, and nutritionally dense. Think dried fruits and nuts, cheese, rye bread, tinned fish, pasta, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit. Try not to bring too much easily perishable food, as you won’t have a fridge.
Plan out your meals in advance, and bring plenty of snacks while you’re walking. It’s always a good idea to pack a couple of emergency dehydrated meals too – just in case!
This also means you should pack all the water you need. Even if you plan on passing a freshwater stream, try to bring as much water as you can. Seriously, this is one commodity you don’t want to run out of on an overnight hike!
Oh, and don’t forget the gas and cooking utensils.
Prepare for Wildlife
Emerging yourself in wildlife is one of the most incredible things you can do while you hike. However, you need to be prepared for this.
Research any potentially dangerous animals that may be on your route and take necessary precautions. To keep yourself and your food safe, store all food in secure containers away from your tent at night. Also, make sure to store trash securely to avoid attracting wild animals.
Most importantly, respect any wildlife you come across. Don’t chase it, don’t feed it, don’t interact with it. Just admire it and keep your distance. Respect nature and nature will respect you.
Leave No Trace
One of the first rules any hike needs to know is to only leave footprints behind.
When doing your first overnight hike, it’s important to practice “leave no trace” principles to preserve the natural environment for future hikers. This means being mindful of your impact on the land and taking steps to minimize it.
Take home all of your trash and leftover food, stick to the designated trails, don’t cut any switchbacks, don’t disturb wildlife, and properly dispose of human your waste.
It’s also important to be mindful of fire safety. Only use established fire rings and never leave fires unattended. Avoid scorching rocks, or burning grass or moss. Don’t cut down firewood or damage any nature around you.
Just leave things be!
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that the wilderness remains beautiful and pristine for generations to come.
Know Where You’re Going
OK, this may sound silly, but you need to be prepared for navigation when you’re hiking long distances.
When planning your first overnight hike, it’s essential to know where you’re going and to be properly set up for navigation. This means researching the trail and familiarizing yourself with the route, including any potential hazards or difficult sections.
It’s also important to bring a detailed map and a compass or GPS device that has signal. If you’re relying on your phone, bring a power bank.
Before leaving, make sure to let someone know your plans, including your intended route and expected return time.
During the hike, pay attention to landmarks and trail markers to stay on track, and if you lose the trail, stop and retrace your steps until you find it again. If you’re unsure of your location, don’t hesitate to turn back and re-evaluate your plan.
By being well-prepared and aware of your surroundings, you will have a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience. Getting lost off trail may sound like something out of a movie, but it’s easier to do than you might think.
Choose the Right Place to Camp
Finding the right place to camp will make a major difference to your overnight hiking experience.
When choosing a place to camp, spend the time to choose an appropriate, protected area. Look for flat ground, ideally near a water source, and with plenty of drainage in case it rains. Pay attention to the underlying surface to help you have a comfortable night’s sleep.
Additionally, make sure you allow yourself enough daylight to set up camp, as it can be difficult and dangerous to try to pitch a tent in complete darkness.
Respect Your Surroundings
We’ve touched on this, but can’t stress it enough when you’re out hiking.
Respecting nature is an essential aspect of any outdoor activity, and it’s especially important when doing your first overnight hike. This means being mindful of your impact on the environment and taking steps to minimize it.
Be mindful of your surroundings and be aware of the natural ecosystem. This means not picking flowers, not disturbing historical or cultural sites, and not feeding wild animals.
It’s also important to follow the rules and regulations of the area you’re visiting, such as obtaining the necessary permits and being aware of fire restrictions. By following these guidelines, you can have a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience while preserving the environment.
Go With a Friend
Hiking with a friend is an important aspect of any outdoor activity, and it’s especially beneficial when doing your first overnight hike.
Safety-wise, it’s always a good idea to have someone with you in case of an emergency. If you’re injured or lost, having someone with you can make a big difference. Having a companion also provides emotional support and allows you to share the experience with someone else.
Having someone to talk to will also make the hike more enjoyable! You could even try to get them to carry some of your load…
Pack Light
If there’s one thing you’ll be thankful for when you go overnight hiking, it’s packing light.
Yes, we’ve covered how important it is to be fully prepared. However, this still means you need to keep it down to the bare essentials only.
Packing light is an essential aspect of any outdoor activity, and it’s especially important when doing your first overnight hike. The less weight you carry, the more comfortable and enjoyable your hike will be.
It’s important to consider the weight and bulk of each item and to choose lightweight, compact alternatives whenever possible. It’s also important to consider the weather and to bring appropriate clothing and gear for the forecasted conditions.
By packing light, you can move more efficiently and comfortably, allowing you to enjoy the hike more and avoid unnecessary fatigue. Carrying less weight on your back will also reduce the risk of injuries and make it easier to navigate through challenging terrain.
Top Tip: Test out your pack before you go hiking!
Summary
Be prepared for your overnight hiking trip, and it will be an amazing experience. And the more you do it, the better you will get at knowing what to bring and how to prepare.
Most importantly, stay safe, be cautious, and respect the nature around you. Get this right, and overnight hiking will be sure to reward you heavily.
Now get out there and explore!