How to Find Hiking Buddies for your Next Backpacking Trip
Hiking with Friends in Joshua Tree National Park, CA - Photo Credit: Bryan Donoghue
There's no arguing that we, as humans, are social creatures. And while there are times when you need to get away from it all and be alone, backpacking with a trail buddy is -- by far -- more enjoyable.
You got someone to...
help with camp duties
share equipment
work through problems together
go for help if you get hurt
laugh and share stories with around the campfire.
Sharing the challenge of a hike with the right trail buddy amplifies your entire experience. But...
Choosing the wrong kind of trail buddy for your trip can be equally...well, terrifying.
The good news is that trails are more populated than ever. That means there's an abundant crop of both new and experienced backpackers to pick from for a competent hiking buddy. All that's left is knowing what to look for in a trail buddy and where to find them.
How do you find a hiking buddy that you enjoy being around? Here are some "Do's" and "Don'ts" when choosing who to disappear with into the wilderness for weeks at a time.
Trail Buddies on Mount Ascutney: Windsor, VT - Photo Credit: Mei-Ling Rosario
How to Choose a Hiking Buddy
Remember when you were in school, and the teacher assigned you a partner that you had to work with? someone (against your will) on a school project
The right hiking buddy should be:
Reliable
Compatible
Supportive
Safe
Someone that you enjoy being around, but that's just the starting point. Hiking is a versatile experience, and people enjoy different aspects of it.
If one partner enjoys the physical challenge of hiking, then they won't appreciate their partner stopping every 10 minutes to take in the beautiful view. The same goes when one hiker prefers silence and the sounds of nature, while the other prefers to talk the whole time.
Like in every relationship, compatibility is important to ensure that you and your hiking partner are on the same page.
I've been on two trips with the "wrong" buddy.
One time, the buddy kayak (a plastic, sit-on-top monstrosity outfitted for fishing) was too slow to keep up with my beautiful Cheasapeake ocean kayak. I had to stop every five minutes to let him catch up.
The second time my JY15 was nowhere near the same class of the Hobbie 18 that was supposed to be my buddy boat. And the JY15 started taking on water and nearly sunk... but that's a story for another time.
Both times, my husband was in control of the buddy craft.
Is he a reliable and supportive partner? Yes!
But your buddy can't just be reliable and supportive. They have to be compatible as well.
Buddies can come in all shapes and sizes - Photo Credit: Heather Guerrette
Choose Someone Fit Enough for Your Goals
The physical requirements of hiking range across a massive spectrum. There are relaxing half-hour hikes and there are multi-day treks. The hike won't be as enjoyable if one partner can't keep pace with the other.
Now, it's possible to work with your partner on their fitness, so that you both can enjoy those loftier goals together. However, that scenario requires that both partners have the same end goal in mind.
You don't want to be in the situation where you're forcing your partner to do something they're not comfortable with and vice versa. You don't want to hold your partner back either.
Start with a Trial Hike
A trial hike is a short test to see if two people's goals, personalities, and values align. Try going on a short hike together, in a similar environment to what you plan on doing during your extended expeditions.
Try to choose a location identical in terrain to where you’d eventually end up wanting to take your new partner. There's no point if the trial hike is on a paved road while the actual hikes include long stints of bouldering.
Check Up on Your New Partner
Once you've found someone that's reliable, supportive, and compatible, it's time to take a step back and learn more about the person -- and I don't mean ask them a bunch of interview questions.
Now it's time to think of safety. Do you feel safe going into the backcountry with this person?
Long trails take us to new and often secluded areas. So don't be that person in the slasher film that goes on a hike with a shady character. Check up on them first.
A phone lookup is one way to gather information on a person solely through their phone number. It searches through public records to find...
employment,
address,
and full name.
While phone lookups aren't 100 percent accurate, they're effective at determining if someone is lying about their identity.
Next, run a quick scan of a person’s social media posts to ensure they align with your beliefs and stances on the environment.
And if you're extra paranoid -- like me -- you can also search public records to see if they have a criminal history.
Where to Find Hiking or Backpacking Buddies
Academics congregate in places like museums or debates. Avid readers choose bookstores or libraries. Sports fans go to sports bars. Sailors hang out in sailing clubs. And backpackers...well, they're in the backcountry.
But where can you find them before they getaway? Here are to "Do's".
Do Ask Friends and Family Out for a Hike
This tip sounds obvious, but many people tend to skip right over it. Who do you already love being around? Take a hike together and see if they enjoy it too.
Don't assume what people are and aren't interested in, even if that person is a member of your family or a long-time friend. Maybe they'll surprise you. Maybe they've always wanted to try but were waiting for someone to do it with.
Join a Hiking or Backpacking Club
If friends and family are a bust, the next best option is to find a hiking or backpacking club. Clubs are great places to meet like-minded people and share information about gear and routes.
Repeatedly meeting with the same people also means you can get to know them a little better before hitting the trail. Many clubs also do group hikes, so you also get a feel for who has a comparable fitness level and hiking style.
Check out your local outdoor outfitter and ask if they sponsor a hiking or backpacking club. Retailers like REI also sponsor events like wilderness first aid and orienteering courses where you can meet likeminded hikers.
Join a Guided Hiking or Backpacking Trip
While clubs make for good company, their events are for groups. So, when you start to narrow down your list of possibles, join a guided hike together. Rather than trying to integrate with an entire group, one-time excursions provide chances to socialize and bond with individuals.
You can search for local excursions in your area to find good options for guided hikes or backpacking trips.
Buddies on Break in East Texas - Photo Credit: Bryan Donoghue
Are you ready to get out there but have no idea what trails need permits or how to apply for them? We feel your pain.
Pathloom helps you plan your backpacking trip from start to finish all in one app – including permits. Register as a Trailblazer today and receive early access when we launch.
Join Events at Local Parks
Local parks and nature centers offer recreational activities for all ages, including hikes and workshops. You can attend the activities and get a feel for other hikers in your area. You may even find a group that likes to explore the natural beauty around them.
Signing up for the newsletters many of these parks distribute is an ideal way to stay current on their upcoming events.
Volunteer at a Nearby Natural Area
Meeting people through volunteering in natural areas ensures everyone shares a similar passion for nature. Otherwise, they wouldn't be giving away their time for free!
Not only is this a way to keep the hiking community strong, but it's also a chance to grow your knowledge.
Consider tasks like...
Trail maintenance: this has the added benefit of training the eye to recognize hazards and choose safe alternate routes that don't cause more harm to the environment.
Area clean ups: where you help pick up trash and debris to keep our environment clean.
Become a volunteer guide: walk people through local nature preserves to help them learn about the beauty and history of your community.
Common volunteer opportunities include:
Campground hosting
Trail or beach cleanups
Visitor and guide services
Outdoor Event planning
You can find local events and opportunities via organizations such as...
Each of these programs welcomes volunteers. So get outdoors and meet people!
Find a Social Media Group
Many communities and clubs use Discord or Facebook groups to organize events and meetups. Each online hiking community has hundreds or even thousands of members posting regularly about events, so there's always something coming up. Forum boards such as BackpackingLight are also great options for anyone not on social media who wants to find some company for the trail.
But there's so many to choose from, so my advice here is to choose local groups that you can regularly contribute to.
Taking in the View with a Buddy: Paugusset State Forest, CT - Photo Credit: Bryan Donoghue
Conclusion
There are many ways to find a hiking or backpacking buddy. But the main point is that you find one. Having a buddy gives you someone to share your amazing experiences with and the second person to be there if something goes wrong.
Social media and organized events are great places to build relationships with fellow hikers - but if you are a newbie, you find a skilled professional to take you through your initial hiking experiences. Over time, you'll learn what you like and dislike in a partner.
And no, you won't find a perfect fit right away. But it's worth when your do. So get out there and meet people!
Pathloom is the all-in-one trip planning app that makes planning your next backpacking trip safe and easy.
With Pathloom you can discover trails, plan your itinerary, get permits, and receive real-time alerts all from one app. Sound exciting?
We think so! Become a Trailblazer today and get early access when we launch. PATHLOOM: Less time planning and more time on the trail.
