We’ve all seen them on the trail. They have a hydration pack. They have walking sticks. They’re probably wearing $1000 of clothing and gear.

…and the trail is 1.3 miles long.

Gear is fun, but it can be a trap. You can start to think that you can’t do anything without the right gear. We’ve always advocated the opposite approach. Grab your old sneakers and a crappy tent FIRST. If you fall in love with the outdoors you can spend money later. The main point is just to get out there.