Unsolicited Advice - A Couple More Backpacking Do Nots

"Yeah well, you know, that's just like you're opinion man."  -The Big Lebowski

After writing a previous post about backpacking do nots, I thought up a few more.

1. Do not use long distance backpacking as a means to lose weight and/or get into shape.  You will be sorry.  Yes you will get into great shape backpacking and, yes, you will probably lose some weight but if you don't make an effort toward those two things before you go, the first couple of weeks on the trail will be a misery and the chances of injury and/or emotional meltdown will go up considerably.  If you're new to backpacking, all the months of planning, purchasing gear, buying food, etc. will go straight out the window when you quit after 3 days on the trail.  And unless you're very, very determined, you probably will.  You wouldn't try to run a marathon with no training, right?

2. Do not take your dogs on a trip over one week in length.  I love my dogs.  I hike with my dogs.  I would never backpack with my dogs.  Consider the mental effort it takes to keep going day after day.  To keep going when you're really tired.  To keep going when you're injured.  Dogs don't think that way and they're not privy to your plan.  They keep following you out of loyalty but after a while, when they're tired or hurt, they don't understand why you keep going and they can't say "please stop, this is too much for me."  Aside from those considerations, think about the logistics.  Who carries their food and water?  What will you do if your dog gets sick or injured in the middle of nowhere?  Yes, there are dogs who would gladly go backpacking with their owners but most pets who are used to the comforts of home probably aren't that keen to rough it for weeks on end.

3.  Do not purchase gear with the intention of returning it when you're done. One of the strategies that PCT thru hikers use in able to afford the gear necessary for a thru hike, is to purchase their gear at REI and then return it when they're done even though it's trashed and used up.  Please don't do this.  It's dishonest.  If you have a piece of gear that actually does fail or has a defect, then, yes, by all means, return it.  But don't return gear that you've worn out through use.  A pair of running shoes is not intended to last 2,650 miles over rough terrain.  In response to this issue, REI has changed their return policy so that items have to be returned within the same year they were bought.  It used to be a lifetime guarantee. The bad behavior of a few individuals has had repercussions for the rest of us.  I'm not defending corporations, I'm just saying be a decent human being and do the right thing.  Consider saving money for your trip and going when you're able to afford it instead of abusing the return policy of gear companies.