Being Prepared

Spring is starting to show. Leaves are unraveling from the buds, flowers are peaking through, and the bird-songs seem to be increasing each morning. I have friends who are putting plants and seeds in the ground, getting gardens ready. Spring is around the corner. And that means you can hike longer with more daylight, go for more ambitious trips with warmer weather, and enjoy more of the wilderness. That means it is time to get ready for your next big hike.

Preparing for a backpacking trip is no small thing. It is a process of exercising to prepare your body. Of studying and learning about the place you want to go; talking to people, especially rangers. You will want to learn about the land, if you need a permit, what are the Leave No Trace practices for that area. Make sure you know about the flora and fauna, what to watch out for and what to look for, as well as weather patterns and all that information. Learn the history of the land, especially the indigenous people’s history of that land and in most cases how they were forcibly removed from the land.

Check your gear and make sure it all works. You may want to upgrade your tent or water filter or something else. It is better to find out that you need to replace something before you go on that big trip.

Don’t forget to plan your food and make sure it will be enough for you on your trip. And I’m sure there is something else that I’m forgetting.

To be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed when I think about all the planning and preparation that is required for a trip to go well. I know that it makes a difference, because I have been on trips when the planning was not done and the trip does not go well. I also know folks that over-plan, that spend more time preparing then actually going on the trip and sometimes put off the trip, saying that they are never really ready. I hear excuses that they do not have the right kind of gear, or the weather was not good enough, or the bugs were going to be really bad at that time. More time is spent studying maps then actually walking the trail. We prepare, but then we need to take the step and walk onto the trail.

I believe preparation is important for backpacking, but also for other places in our lives. If you are looking to change careers, it is a good idea to take some time to think about what you are doing, to do some research, and to see what kind of challenges you may face. If you are going to a new school, learn about the school, what is near it, what are the perks that it offers, and what you can expect to encounter. If you are moving to a new location, take the time to learn about the location, the local foods and spots to go and visit. There is real value in taking time to learn, to study, and to prepare.

Yet there will come that moment when we will have to take all the preparation, all of the time spent, all of the energy, and then just let go. There will come that moment when we find ourselves at the edge of the trail, ready to take that first step, and then we are in the midst of it. The first time I hiked in the desert I did all of the research I could, I thought I was prepared, but that first step onto the trail was filled with fear and trembling. I had only hiked in the Northeast, in hardwood forests and around plenty of water. I was stepping into a new world and was somewhat afraid. It is difficult to take that first step, but it was a little easier with all of the preparation that I had done beforehand.

We will find ourselves in the new town, at the new school, in the new job. We have to let go, trust on all that preparation, and then see what happens in the moment. This can be very exciting and it also can be very scary. But you have prepared. You are not stepping into the new moment, the unexplored trail without anything. You have maps and food, knowledge and understanding. You bring all that into the unknown. Perhaps the Scouts are right with their motto – be prepared. Just not too much.

I hope you are thinking about the next hike or backpacking trip and starting to prepare. If you are thinking about the next move in your life, the next big thing that you would like to do, why not start to look into it, consider it, and prepare. And then, when the time comes, when you take your first step, you will be ready for the wonderful unknown.

BTW – I offer planning consultation for folks wanting to go on their own backpacking trip but not sure how to plan. Reach out and let’s talk!