What is the hardest part about planning a backpacking trip?

Figuring out the weather forecast where I plan to go and choosing clothing for worst-case situations. But even that is not too difficult because I have it fairly well sorted out.

Everything else is very easy because I have the gear and have done many trips in all kinds of weather over the years… not nearly as much desert experience, however. In ye olde dayes maps used to be a bit of a pain, but with Caltopo and phone apps they are not a problem.

Airline travel and car rental and coordinating with others is a whole other rat’s nest. Done a bunch of that in the past but usually just travel by car these days… a few hundred miles at most, but sometimes more. However, there is an awful lot of good hiking/backpacking within a 300- to 400-mile radius of where I live.

Why don’t you start? You’ve been asking questions here, but we still don’t know about you.

I see you have a blog to feed.

Hey @here !

Im no stranger to backpacking.  Been doing it since I was a kid.  I have also…

Been a whitewater rafting guide on the Ocoee River (Where they had the 96 Olympics)
Raced sled dogs in Alaska and worked with a musher who got 3rd place in the Iditarod.
Lived in Costa Rica for a Year.
Boy Scout Den Leader

Most of the questions I ask here about trips I have planned for places I dont live near.

Or…

Im working on starting up a backpacking blog and questions like these are to help me get ideas for articles to write or digital products to make.  Im still building the site and it just has dummy text on it, but if you want you can check it out.  Maybe bookmark it for later ;)  ( http://gogobackpacking.com/ )

@bobmny10562 , Agreed.  Getting other folks involved takes the stress level to a whole other level.  I find myself going on more and more solo trips these days.

So experienced as you are, more than many here, how about answering your own question as a conversation starter. Way more interesting than a survey question post, imho.

For me the hassle is always food. I am the opposite of a foodie, and eat to survive. But cursed with a selective palette, aka picky eater.

Deciding where to go. Too many options here in the PNW.

@here Fair point.

For me, the hardest part is the initial research phase.  I live in the Southeast and am constantly planning trips to the Western half of the country.

It is easy for me to find a trail I want to hike and get some general information, but hard to get specifics about the trail for the time of year I want to go.

For example, if I want to hike the Tetons early in early June, finding specific information is hard.

Things like…

• What are the bugs like this time of year?
• What are the trail conditions like?  Do I need crampons or snowshoes?
• What are the water sources like on the trail?  Do the run full force year round or do they rely on snow melt?

@mwgillenwater Any advice for the Columbia Gorge?  Was thinking about going there in late May.

I am with Bob on this.  The hardest part for me is planning for weather while trying not to be stupid light.

Lucky to live where I do as a lifetime of hiking is easily reachable by a non arduous drive.

+1 on what Ken said – it’s a real blessing to live near both the mountains and the sea. As for the hardest part of trip planning, it’s convincing my wife that our business will not explode and that our aging cat won’t have a medical emergency while I’m too far away to help her. Aside from that, the rest of the trip planning process is systematic and enjoyable, although it can be time consuming if going to an unfamiliar area. The destination, gear, objectives and timing can usually be adjusted easily enough to fit weather, work and physical health.

First is deciding where to go and then second I’m with Bob, making the clothing decisions and then not second guessing.

Daved,
I am up in Seattle, and have spent little time down at the George backpacking. Its on my list, but the 4+ hour drive is difficult to justify when so many other amazing places are within 2-3 hours of here. If you do plan a trip let me know and I will be easily convinced to join. I have one mapped out through the Mark Hatfield wilderness, but have not done it yet.
mg

Hands down the hardest part is clearing days on the calendar. I relish the rest of the planning.

The Gorge is great for overnighters out of Portland. Parking is an issue. Get there early or on a weekday, preferably both. Eagle Creek is a classic. Larch Mountain is nice too, once you get past the Multnomah Falls crowds. Herman Creek was a gauntlet of poison oak this time last year, though still quite lovely.

Much like Michael, choosing where to go is pretty difficult for me.   The day before packing/repacking,  shedding weight and making sure I have everything I need is always the most stressful part(for me).

I revise my initial response. Also for me, clearing days on the calendar it the main challenge. Obligations from work travel and to properly be present for family leaves few openings. My trips, in most cases, require negotiated scheduling 6+ months in advance.

For me,  it’s probably the logistics of planning it with other people. Where I live, water isn’t an issue, permits aren’t an issue, weather can turn at any moment so you just plan for that, and campsites aren’t too hard to find. Packing for myself is easy. Planning a trip with other people, not so much. As a woman, I haven’t worked up the courage to go by myself yet, but I think I’m going to try this year. I hike alone all the time, just have never camped alone.

Getting an available wilderness permit. At least in many parts of the Sierra Nevada on weekends in summer, its getting harder to do last minute trips in recent years. With the lottery setup some popular ranger stations (such as the one in Lone Pine) have been implementing, even being willing to show up at ungodly hours no longer helps.

My issue is, I think, the most common.   Actually finding time to hike.

After that, the thing I struggle with the most is finding hikes that I’m interested in that aren’t so remote that travel to them consumes too much of my vacation time.

OTOH the thing I have failed at the most is bringing the right amount of food.  I always seem to bring too much.

“Hands down the hardest part is clearing days on the calendar. I relish the rest of the planning.”

LOL, amen to that.

Like the OP, I live in the Southeast, and having done most of the hikes available in my area, find myself looking far afield for new adventures.  I have plans in the next 1-2 years to traverse the Winds, section hike the AZT, do the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Collegiate Loop.  So my biggest “issue” is usually getting ahold of a good map set and figuring out what section or loop can maximize my adventure given the length of time available.

My 2nd issue is always food.  I’m usually out 6-9 days without resupply, but I’m also a backcountry foodie who cooks for 1-2 others….so I’m already carrying a heavier kitchen, and I like sneaking in a few fresh ingredients (small onions, real garlic, etc.) to augment dehydrated ingredients.  So I know going in that I’m going to carry a lot of food weight.  The challenge then is limiting what else is in my pack appropriately and still keep to a pack weight of 30 lbs. or less.

Now that I am recently retired, the toughest part is waiting for the season to start!

I have all the gear.  I have a long list of hikes I’d like to take, in various locations and of various lengths. Thanks to holiday gifts, I gave all the food I need for a full summer of hiking.

California Paul, the season is all year!

“California Paul, the season is all year!”

Well maybe not this year, Ken. ;)

The hardest part about planning a backpacking trip? The anticipation of said trip!!

Seems getting my food packed takes 2X longer than anything else except possibly driving to the trailhead. And that only B/C distances to trailheads here in the western US are usually, well, l o n g.