The Mental Big Three of UL Backpacking
Your gear doesn't define your hike; you do.
Ultralight backpacking, and hiking in general, is just as much about mental effort as it is physical. You may be able to zip through the switchbacks, but are you ready to deal with hours, if not days, of solitude?
If you're like me, you're always tinkering with different setups, trying to get your pack as light as possible, yet you ignore the grueling mental aspects of what you may encounter. And let's be honest; your Altra Lone Peaks aren't going to take the next steps for you.
That's where the Mental Big Three comes in.
Sure, you've heard of the traditional backpacking big three: shelter, sleep system, and backpack. But, we often ignore the psychological aspects of the trail. Instead of the gear on your back, you should concentrate on the equipment in your head.
Your Mental Shelter: Protection, Preparation, and Confidence
Shelters are for one thing: protection. If you're like me, you're continually debating what setup to use. Should I go with a tarp and bug bivy, or shell out the money for a free-standing, DCF tent? It all comes down to how safe I will feel in the given conditions.
Yet, protection from a mental perspective is more difficult to grasp. Your gear may comfort you in regards to the elements or wildlife, but the unpredictability of nature always has a few tricks up its sleeve. To indeed be mentally protected and safe, you must be prepared.
Preparation is imperative to any successful hiking expedition. There are the weather conditions, trail conditions, elevation profile, resupplies, and so much more. But the most crucial aspect of preparation is whether or not you can handle it all, and there is no type of gear for that. Your $250 UL Montbell rain jacket may prevent you from being soaked in heavy rain, but it won't keep your spirit dry.
Being mentally prepared also breeds confidence.
If you're waterless, and you know the next water source is eight miles away, those next few hours won't be as daunting. Confidence allows you to feel safe and protected, even in adverse conditions. It's just like setting up your tent. If you are confident that you can pitch your shelter, your mind will be at ease, even in a nasty storm.
Tip: Mental preparation comes from experience. Understanding what your strengths and weaknesses are, then prepare for them. For example, I've had horrible experiences with ticks in the past (43 on an overnight trip). Rather than never going outdoors again, I wear long sleeves and pants and treat my gear with permethrin now. I also have had my Sawyer Squeeze clog up on the trail, so I always carry a couple of iodine tablets as back up. Learning to adapt and overcome with your own experience is essential.
Your Mental Sleep System: Comfort
“Comfort does not mean comfortable”
Sure, you've got your 800-fill down quilt and sub-pound sleeping pad packed up and ready to roll, but one aspect of the sleep system that often gets neglected is comfort. The same has to do with your peace of mind while you're in the outdoors.
One way to achieve mental comfort while hiking is to connect with friends and family. Anyone who's been on a solo-hike knows that loneliness can creep up on you faster than a rat in a lean-to. To stave off the isolation, and it's imperative to embrace the comfort of others.
Let's get one thing straight: comfort does not mean comfortable. The tried thru-hiker adage of "embrace the suck" still holds. There is no way around it. Adventures are never without adversity (it wouldn't be an adventure without it, right?). The key to comfort is your "why." You need to know why you're out on the trail in the first place. Let's not get too deep into it, because some other exceptional authors on The Outdoor Evolution, like Jessie "Captain Kirk" Niemeir, have explained The Why far better than I ever will.
Tip: Taking care of your body is essential to a successful hike. Physically, it's always going to be demanding, but the mental aspect is even worse. Yet, there's a fine line between being driven and being dumb. So, don't ignore those nagging aches and pains. Bring a lacrosse ball (or cork ball) to roll out your calves. Ice your shins when you get a chance. Elevate your feet on a tree trunk. While your physical discomfort may not go away immediately, your mental comfort will increase, knowing that you did all you could to ease your pain.
Your Mental Backpack: Clarity
Your brain is like your backpack - both in the forest and in everyday life. There is a specific capacity, and weight, that you can hold in your head: the more weight in the pack, the more strenuous the journey. There's an entire cliche ingrained in our vocabulary about this very concept, so it's time to get the weight off your shoulders, and your mind.
The best way to lighten your mental load is to practice mindfulness. It's about living in the "here and now" rather than the "there and then." The hustle and bustle of the daily grind are gone, and if you're miles from civilization, there's nothing you can do to affect it. Nature's arms will wrap you in a blanket of humility, and most of all, clarity.
By eliminating stressors, and trekking through the forest, you begin to live intentionally. The doubt and confusion of reality subside, and the light of your mind shines bright.
Although, if you are out on the trail, and catch your brain drifting into dark oblivion, bring it back to the present. Think about each step you are taking. Feel your trekking poles dig into the dirt. See the sunlight peeking through the canopy. By living outside your head, you'll be able to gain a better appreciation for nature, and frankly, have a more enjoyable hike.
Tip: I have a hard time controlling my thoughts as they fly through my head. One way I've learned to control these brain intruders (seriously, that's how I refer to them), is through journaling. By visualizing my mind on paper, I'm able to take a more objective look at the situation. I've gotten so into jotting down my thoughts that I created an entire guided journal for people to do the same! Wherever I am, I always have a pen and paper at arm's reach.
Favoring the Mental Big Three of UL backpacking has immense benefits for your hiking adventures. To feel safe and secure, you need to be prepared and confident. To bask in the comfort of your hike, you need to connect with others and understand your "why." To fully immerse yourself in nature, you must possess mental clarity.
Instead of spending hours dialing in your gear, take some time to dial in your mind.
Jay Spring is an avid UL backpacker and runs a mindfulness journal for men called The Bro Journal. See more at thebrojournal.com
All images illustrated by Tranquil Illustrations. Find more on Instagram @tranquil_illustration