Are you looking for an experience to shake you emotionally, physically, and mentally? Get ready to have your breath taken away by jaw dropping views, experience the aromas of pine trees and fresh air whip through your hair, and crave a bowl of camp side ramen like never before.
Summiting a hike has always made me fill with incredible emotions. Scanning an incredible view, overcoming doubts of my physical abilities, and being alone with my thoughts for at least a few hours are a few of my hiking favorite feels. Despite being an avid hiker, I had never tried backpacking.
This past year, I decided to bite the bullet and go on some incredible backpacking trips ranging from 3-8 days. All of these trips offered me a unique and life changing experience. Some days I thought I would never be able to accomplish the full mileage. Other days featured some of the most amazing views of my life. And every trip connected me with some life long trail buds.
Here are my top reasons why backpacking can change your life:
One. You can disconnect.
In a society where we are glued to our phones, emails, instagrams, a backpacking trip can help you disconnect from it all. Most backpacking trips I’ve done, I don’t have service, which gives me about zero reason to be on my phone. This time gives you a huge opportunity to authentically connect with people, nature, and yourself. It’s probably one of the best parts of backpacking and makes you realize truly how much time you spend on your device.
Two. You can live simply.
During one backpacking trip in Peru, each morning my group and I would rise at 5:30 AM, pack up camp, eat breakfast, hike for 6-9 hours, set up our new camp, play cards, eat dinner, and go to bed by 8 PM. This routine became comfortable and living this simply is truly relaxing. You realize how to enjoy the little things in life like getting excited over what you’ll eat for dinner.
Three. You can meet amazing people.
Generally anyone I’ve met on a hiking trail is not only laid back and typically well mannered, but also usually very cool. I’ve met amazing people in the hiking community and sharing this experience with others is truly unlike anything else. Showing up to a campsite where everyone treats each other like family, being on trail and getting a helping hand from someone, or embracing the smiley energy of hiking is an awesome opportunity to meet new people. I’ve had many trail angels rescue my butt when I was under qualified for a hike.
Four. You can be alone with your thoughts.
My thoughts during hiking are so crazy because I have so much time to process everything. If you’ve read the book Wild, you would know that hiking can be extremely therapeutic. In a place with zero distractions, you have to address your buzzing mind, and I’ve come to some amazing revelations while on trail.
Five. You can get an endorphin high.
After a good day of hiking, I am usually buzzing with endorphins and feel so good. The altitude changes, the constant movement of your body, and the breath taking views easily add to your mental health and can instantly improve it.
Six. You can’t give up really.
The difference between hiking and backpacking is a day hike you can turn around if you aren’t feeling motivated, but for a backpack trip you usually don’t have a choice. You may not have service, you probably have only enough food for the time planned, so you have to keep going. Even during my toughest backpacking moments, I knew I had no choice but to push on.
Seven. You exceed personal goals.
If someone told me that I would be able to walk 20 miles of crazy inclines and steep descents in a single day, I would tell them they were crazy. But I did this. I completely exceeded mentally what I thought was possible. Yes my body felt like a deteriorated potato sack by the end, and I wobbled into town like I had been run over by a stampede of horses, but I did that shit. I accomplished something I truly never thought would be possible.
Eight. You learn to live minimally.
Over packing for a backpacking trip will only make you suffer physically. I realized during an eight day backpacking trip, after wearing the same outfit everyday, that I really didn’t need all my unnecessary toiletries and clothes. Your perspective changes when you see really how little you use on the road.
So what are you waiting for, go plan your next backpacking trip!!! And make sure to download some maps, or study the region well before doing so.
Hailee Boyle Social Media Management 
Thanks!
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