Backpacking Taught Me a Lot This Year

Backpacking taught me a lot this year. Between solo miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail, pushing hard across Zion in a single day, and a handful of smaller trips, I realized I was still learning—about gear, planning, pacing, and myself. In this video, I’m sharing the biggest lessons that shaped my year on trail: what worked, what didn’t, the mistakes I’m still making, and what I’m carrying forward into 2026. Whether you’re planning your first big hike or refining your own backpacking systems, I hope these lessons help you make smarter decisions and get more joy out of your time outside. ---------------------------------------------------------- P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. It helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ---------------------------------------------------------- Ways to Support the Channel: Venmo: @colbyonthetrail ---------------------------------------------------------- Discount Codes: Tell Your Trail 12% off: ColbyontheTrail12 https://tellyourtrail.com/?ref=ColbyontheTrail12 Hilltop Packs 10% off: COLBYONTHETRAIL https://hilltoppacks.com/colbyonthetrail Backcountry Foodie 20% off: COLBYONTHETRAIL https://backcountryfoodie.com/aff/73/ ---------------------------------------------------------- My Favorite Gear: Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/4kLxv71 Titanium 750ml Pot: https://amzn.to/4kWEk5t Ultralight Stove: https://amzn.to/4kUKbbr Water Filter: https://amzn.to/4o45itc Ultralight Trowel: https://amzn.to/4iaU7Mr Summit Suds Powdered Soap: https://amzn.to/3FyXOgx Unpaste Toothpaste Tablets: https://amzn.to/3DUGIJh Outdoor Research Echo Sun Hoodie: https://amzn.to/4iay6gG Nike Men's Challenger Dri-fit 5" Lined Running Shorts: https://amzn.to/4kq1S2B Garmin inReach Mini 2: https://amzn.to/4kAYVML inCharge XL 6-in-1 Multi Charging Cable: https://amzn.to/41QdkMh Camera Gear: DJI Pocket Osmo 3: https://amzn.to/3QVjNRi Insta360 X5: https://amzn.to/4qm7qOw Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4qkKwa5 Sony G Master 16-55mm Lens: https://amzn.to/48F3Icv ---------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: A Tough Year 1:09 – Lesson 1: Solo Hiking Changed Me 3:11 – Lesson 2: Footwear Matters More Than You Think 4:52 – Lesson 3: Staying Flexible with Planning 7:50 – Lesson 4: Your Gear Kit Will Always Evolve 10:14 – Lesson 5: Planning Mileage the Smart Way 11:25 – Lesson 6: Why Your “WHY” Matters Most 14:24 – Final Thoughts ---------------------------------------------------------- #hiking #thruhiking #backpacking