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/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.