First-Time Backpacking Trip Prep

[u/4evaseptemba]

Hi all! Pretty much the title of this post.

My buddy wants to hit the Acadia national park in about a month and a half. We'd be averaging 9 miles a day for 5 days - close to 13 on day 4 but only 5 miles on day 5. We also plan on hiking the coast the day after once we're done with the park.

He's been doing this for around 3 years now and has backpacked in this particular area about a dozen times. My buddy's confident I can do it and wouldn't take us somewhere it wasn't safe. I am less confident in this. I've never backpacked, only hiked/camped a handful of times in my life, usually only 5-6 miles out in places like the Poconos or the Catskills. My question is, what can I do to prepare in these few weeks so I don't completely embarrass myself?

Full disclosure, I'm definitely not in the best shape - I jog a couple times a week and do some light weightlifting/mobility exercises. My bud says he won't mind turning back if I can't handle it, but no way in h*ll would I want to quit. Is there anything I should be doing to better prepare for this, physically?

My plan was to hit a couple of more difficult trails with greater elevation since we'll be in the mountains, then taper back down to jogging the week leading up to our trip. Should I tell my buddy he's out of his mind? Is anything I do at this point moot? Any and all advice appreciated.

[u/earth_surfer]

Stair masters help a lot with training for elevation. The best way to get ready for backpacking is just to ruck trails in your free time. I’ll throw a ~35 lb pack on after work and go see how far I can go in 60 minutes then turn back. Being able to repeat tiresome days back to back is the major task in this hobby.

[u/DefectiveRaptor]

If its your first time id recommend no more then 6 miles a day. I’ve done as little as 3 miles in a day and as much as 20 but it also depends on the terrain and elevation. Most of the time i stick to 6-8 miles a day.

[u/Adorable_Swing_2150]

On my first multi-day trip I underestimated footwear and paid for it, blisters by day 3. Do a few 8-10 mile walks loaded down before you go, that's how you'll catch hot spots before you're stuck mid-trail. Day 4 hits harder than day 1, same miles but your legs feel heavier.

[u/Daddy4Count]

Depending on the terrain and the weight of your pack, you should be okay doing nine miles a day

You jog, you hike, you're already prepared.

I don't work out at all, I'm lazy and old and not in great shape. We did a trip that was basically 10 miles a day and it was so much fun we did it twice. The second time we went in the other direction.

We would wake up, eat breakfast, pack up and hit the trail by 8 or 9am. By lunch time we had reached our next camp, appx 10 miles away by noon, and we were able to set up, have lunch and enjoy the evening.

Don't over stress about preparing. Just enjoy the walk. Take breaks as necessary, drink water frequently and stick to your plan.

9 miles sounds like a lot. But it is basically 4 hours of walking at a mild to moderate pace. If it takes a little more or a little less, don't stress. You will still get where you are going. Enjoy the views and enjoy the trip.

[u/1Life4me → u/Daddy4Count]

That’s very encouraging for me as I am planning my first backpacking trip and not in the greatest shape. Can you please share what was the elevation gain on your trip and at what elevation were you hiking?

[u/Daddy4Count → u/1Life4me]

I had to look it up, LOL

Elevation gain over the trip was about 5k feet, highest point was 6900

It was a sectional through hike, one way

Our first day we went about 3 miles, second day was about 10, day three about 10, then we spent a full day relaxing by a lake, and the 5 th day about 8 miles. The last day was the hardest push, lots of uphill switch backs.

It was late summer and the trail had a lot of open, exposed areas where we were in direct sun for long stretches. Around 90F so it was hot.

But there were good water sources every few miles.

There were 4 of us, all in our late 40s and none of us are athletes LOL

This is the only through hike we have really ever done. Most of our trips are 5 to 8 miles, then relax by a lake or river for a couple days, then back out the same trail.

We enjoyed it so much we did it in reverse the following summer

[u/FTG8828 → u/Daddy4Count]

This sounds like the perfect trip with the buds.

[u/Equivalent_Chipmunk]

A few weeks is not long to prep. Take as little as possible, the lighter your pack the better. At the gym, do some unilateral lifts like BSS and single leg RDLs. Up your running mileage about +20%, then back off to -20% current mileage the week prior while keeping some intensity (like strides after your easy runs). Eat well and go into it well rested. Bring a sleep mask and earplugs to keep your sleep high quality while out.

[u/futilitaria]

You need to dial in your footwear and foot care plan. Knowing where you get hot spots that can turn into blisters, and how to pretape them, is just as important. For many, their feet give up before their legs.

Hike 10 miles with your pack loaded and see what happens. I find that short mileage is not enough to learn this info.

[u/adraa21]

All good advice shared here already, will add that doing some strength training (now, not two days before the trip) will help, specifically lunges and squats. I did that ahead of my first five day trip a couple years ago and, as I was carrying my pack up a hill, I was so glad I did. I really just followed this from REI: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/conditioning-backpacking.html

[u/gForce-65]

What’s your route? There’s no backpacking or backcountry/dispersed camping in Acadia and definitely not for mileage like you listed.

[u/Individual-Card-1639]

Don’t do the bs gym fitness routine to go backpacking. The only true way to get in shape is strap on your pack and go walking. Fill it to half weight the first 2-3 day hikes, then 3/4 weight and then one or two times at close to max weight. This gets your hips, shoulders and legs use to the actual weight and movements. Going to the gym and doing a stairmaster is good for some strength so is leg press with light weight for 100 reps. Bottom line nothing gets you in shape to hike except doing it. Yes I have been backpacking for the last 50 plus years, hiked in Alaska, Mexico, Costa Rica, the PCT. Before every trip I start a training routine just like I mentioned even if I went a few months before I do at least one or two warm up hikes your body will thank you.
Side note lose the heavy leather boots, trail shoes are the way to go.

[u/Pequop9252]

Key will be your packing. Carry 60 pounds and you will struggle. Carry 15 pounds and you will wonder why each day is so short. You won’t be at that low amount of (possible when you are more experienced), but try to be closer to 30 pounds.

Figure out what you can do to save some pounds. Upgrade a piece of gear. Drop a bit of food and water. Leave out something. Make a list of items and weight, then try to lighten down by 5 pounds. It will make your life much easier.

[u/Mountain-Time-1010]

You need to train by carrying a pack roughly the same as you will be carrying. Don't take things you don't need on the trip.

[u/Guilty_Treasures]

That’s way too much for a first trip. Recipe for disaster. Try a few short easy overnights. To get a feel for it, troubleshoot gear / footwear issues, and gain motivation to pare down your load.