Making the jump from day hikes to an overnight hiking adventure can be a bit daunting for some. It can be up to double the length, you have to carry a bit more, need to use a few more pieces of gear… All things that can strike fear and concern in the mind of even experienced day hikers. However, it is one of the most unique and rewarding experiences you can have as an outdoor adventurer, and we are always here to help you get started. Read on for just some of the benefits of overnight hiking.
Carrying everything you need on your back
It can be easy to think of this as a con, but it’s actually a pro! One of the best ways to truly get back to basics in our modern society is embracing the experience of setting out with everything you need on your back. Your accomodation, food, lighting, supplies – the whole kit and caboodle! Setting up camp for the night with only the contents of your bag is the best way to truly experience the nomadic existence that we are so far removed from in this day and age. You’ll be surprised at how much you don’t miss the majority of your possessions, and for the items that you really do miss, you’ll have gained a massive appreciation for them by the time you get back home.
Socialising with others
Let me set up an *absolutely wild* theoretical scenario in your mind. Imagine a place where there is no social media and TV as a distraction. What do you think happens next? I’ll give you an insight into what happens in my mind: people talk to each other! Hurrah!
Talking around a campfire or chatting to other people out on the trail are some of the best ways to connect and fulfil your sense of community and belonging, especially when you all have such exciting stories to share from your adventures. As much as social media can connect us when it is not possible to be physically together, it’s also very isolating as it has become a replacement for face to face contact. If we have the chance to have face-to-face experiences, we should take them (we all know what it’s like to have those opportunities taken away for a while). It’s amazing what you can find out about yourself and other people by talking and sharing an experience out in nature!
Having fun!
Sure you can have a great night out on the town spending money on a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant, splurging on some tasty drinks, and rounding it out with a party bus (a.k.a. a taxi!) on the way home. But haven’t we all done that many times before? Do you find the fun wearing off at all, or maybe the way you feel the next day is beginning to outweigh the fun you have?
Why not try switching up your weekend fun and get into some adventure? Instead of a headache, what about going home with tales of nature, laughs, and new experiences? You’ll be able to recall beautiful places, views, things you conquered, challenges you faced, delicious food you ate, and new friends you made. I don’t know about you, but I find this far more fun than just another night out on the town.
Connecting with nature
There are no power points out in nature (unless you’re hydro-, solar-, or wind-powered!), so leave it all behind and feel the total connection with your surroundings the way nature intended. Leaving behind technology and turning to nature not only gives us some literal peace and quiet, with the sounds of nature acting as the soundtrack of our hike, but it helps to quieten our mind and create a greater sense of mental peace. Sleeping under the stars by the light of a campfire with no noise except that of nature is the best way to have a technology detox and soothe your soul.
Setting and achieving goals
I’m not going to lie to you – your first overnight hike will be tough! But then again, the first time doing anything is tough so hopefully this isn’t too much of a shock. The experience of carrying a pack is hard work (at least, depending on how much or little you pack) and you will struggle up and down hills or along a challenging bit of trail, but you will be so proud of what you’ve achieved! And trust me, what you can actually achieve is so much more than you think you can! Remember: your mind will always give up before your body, so having a strong mindset and the support of others around you will help you put one foot in front of another.
My advice for achieving the goal of an overnight hike is setting a date a couple of months in advance and not budging on that date at all! This will give you peace and clarity of mind, knowing that it’s definitely happening, but also gives you a target to work towards if you want to do a bit of training beforehand.
There you have it, five massive reasons why overnight hiking is the next adventure for you. If you’re still not convinced, check out the overnight hikes we offer and let the locations inspire you! Come and experience this with us – we’ll take all the hard work out of it for you and we promise you’ll be back for many more!
