You're Preparing for Long Distance Hiking the Wrong Way

Preparing for a long-distance backpacking trip can feel overwhelming, but most hikers actually overcomplicate the planning phase. In this video, I break down what actually matters when preparing for a thru-hike or multi-day backpacking trip, and why you don’t need perfect gear, rigid plans, or endless checklists to be ready. If you’re planning a long trail or just starting to backpack, my goal is to simplify the noise so you can feel confident and focus on the things that truly matter on the trail. ---------------------------------------------------------- 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: Camera Gear: DJI Pocket Osmo 3: https://amzn.to/3QVjNRi DJI Osmo Action 6 : https://amzn.to/4axDqtE Insta360 X5: https://amzn.to/4qm7qOw Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4qkKwa5 Sony G Master 15mm f1.4 Lens: https://amzn.to/4b7pyX9 ---------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 0:00 — Why Long-Distance Hiking Prep Feels Overwhelming 0:54 — The Real Reason Planning Feels So Hard 2:20 — How to Handle Overwhelm When Preparing for a Long Hike 3:30 — Building Gear Systems You Can Actually Trust 5:21 — The 4 Things That Actually Matter in Long-Distance Prep 5:30 — Physical Readiness for Long-Distance Hiking 6:26 — Developing Backpacking Systems (Food, Water, Sleep) 8:02 — Create Decision-Making Frameworks for the Trail 8:54 — Setting Realistic Expectations for Your Hike 10:46 — What Backpackers Worry About Too Much 13:26 — How to Know If You’re Ready for a Long Backpacking Trip 14:48 — Final Thoughts & Wrap Up ---------------------------------------------------------- #hiking #thruhiking #backpacking