Getting ready for the John Muir Trail? In this video, I reveal 5 critical mistakes that hikers commonly make on the JMT—and how to avoid them. These are the kind of missteps that can turn an incredible adventure into a frustrating or even dangerous experience. Whether it's gear choices, planning oversights, or trail strategy, I break down each mistake with practical tips to help you stay safe, prepared, and confident from start to finish. If you're planning a JMT thru-hike or just want to hike smarter, this video is packed with insights to help you get the most out of your journey. Subscribe for more trail-tested advice, gear reviews, and backpacking tips. ---------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Mistake 1 3:34 - Mistake 2 7:23 - Mistake 3 13:31 - Mistake 4 15:33 - Mistake 5 17:16 - Bonus Tip! 19:09 - Wrap Up ---------------------------------------------------------- #hiking #thruhiking #backpacking #johnmuirtrail #jmt #tripplanning #avoidcostlymistakes #hikingtips

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