Shakedown Trip Lessons: What I Learned Getting Back on the Trail
After getting back out on the trail for a recent shakedown trip, one thing became really clear:
A lot changes when you get older.
Not just physically, but in how you approach backpacking, how you prepare, and what actually matters once you’re out there. This trip wasn’t about distance or difficulty. It was about getting back into the rhythm, testing gear, and figuring out what still works—and what doesn’t.