Finding it hard to keep busy between hikes? We understand.
You’ve just completed yet another amazing outdoor experience, and you’re now back at home facing the post-backpacking blues. You know you’ll be back at it again soon, but you wish you could fast forward time to the moment you’re out on the trail again. But, why does the time in between hikes have to be so boring?
Well, it doesn’t always have to be! There are plenty of ways to make the waiting game more enjoyable. These solutions will definitely help you keep busy before your next hike.
1. Download a Countdown App
Countdown apps are a fun way to get you excited for your next trip. Everytime you look at your phone, tablet, or computer, you can see how many weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until it’s time to go. You can customize the countdown, add pictures, and do many countdowns at once. If you’re not sure what app to get, try downloading My Day.
2. Join Local Outings
You don’t always need a two week’s vacation or a long weekend to get outside. While you’re waiting for your next big hike, check out whatever local outings are going on in your area. The Outbound Collective app offers a lot of information of adventures going on close to you, as well as Yonder. You can also check out events on Meetup. Take an hour or two a week to do a little hiking, while meeting new people and getting excited for your next adventure.
3. Plan Tentative Routes on Waypoints or Other Software
So, you know where you’re planning on going for your next hike, but not really sure what you’re going to do once you get there. One way to get excited for your next hike is by planning tentative routes that you can later upload to your GPS. While Waypoints is one of the most popular choices, there are also tons of other software and apps that do a similar function. Play around with your next adventure, outlining all the possibilities all while keeping yourself busy!
4. Keep Busy Shopping for New Gear
Not everyone loves to shop, but it’s hard not to love going shopping for new gear! (As long as you have the funds, of course!) If you need something to keep your spirits up before your next hike, this is the way to go. Stop by the mall, shopping plazas, thrift shops, or even just log onto the computer. It’s a great way to not only keep busy between hikes, but also get prepared with the right “equipment.”
5. Enroll in a Special Course
There’s no better way to keep busy than by doing something productive. While you’re waiting for your next adventure to begin, think about whether or not there are any skills you want to learn or improve on.
Maybe you want to learn how to cook better on the trail. Take a cooking class at your local backpacking store. Maybe you want to learn how to rock-climb. Hit the gym when you get out of work. This would also be a good time to enroll in a first-aid or outdoor safety course, so you’ll know what to do if a problem arises.
6. Work on a Blog
Do you keep a blog about your hiking experiences, update an app like Ramblr, or even just like to put together photo albums from your adventures? Now would be a great time to catch up on some storytelling. Not only to you get to reminisce in your most recent hiking trip, but you will certainly get excited for what’s coming.
7. Head to the Bookstore
Keep busy between your hikes by reading books written by backpackers. Go to your local bookstore and check out the Outdoor Adventure or Travel section. Even if you don’t buy anything, just reading the blurbs on the back will definitely inspire you. Also, watch some backcountry movies or read up on some hiking news.
8. Do Some Exercise
If you’re an avid hiker, then there’s good chance that you’re already in relatively decent shape. That being said, it’s really important to keep up your fitness in between longer hikes, so that you won’t get too exhausted the next time you’re out. There are tons of outdoor fitness apps to help you with this. Your body will thank you later!
The time in between your hikes can be a bit depressing, but shouldn’t be spent just waiting. Try spicing up your countdown with these cool activities.
