51 Essential Hiking Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner

✅ Hit the trails sooner and with the confidence to tackle any adventure: ➔ https://www.mowser.com.au/pathfinder-book?video=2TAwNhMF0wM In this video, I share 51 essential hiking lessons learned over 30 years on the trail that will prevent you from making costly mistakes. From gear must-haves to smart strategies and safety tips, these lessons will help you hike smarter, safer, and more confidently. Stick around for tip #51—you’ll never look at hiking the same way again! *⏱ TIMESTAMPS:* 00:00 – The Mistake That Changed Everything 01:11 – Pack Your Bag Like a Pro, Every Time 01:56 – The Sock Secret That Saves Your Feet 02:29 – The Tiny Repair Kit That Can Save Your Hike 03:03 – Why Spare Shoelaces Are Your Unexpected Lifeline 03:35 – Shrink Your Sleeping Bag, Expand Your Space 04:00 – The Simple Trick to Stop Tripping Over Tent Lines 04:30 – Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry—Your Life May Depend on It 04:58 – The One Piece of Gear I Can’t Believe I Hiked Without 05:27 – Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant: Know the Difference 05:55 – Why Training with a Loaded Pack Changes Everything 06:20 – Beat the Heat and Fatigue with an Early Start 06:50 – The Secret to Hiking All Day Without Burning Out 07:16 – A Simple Climbing Hack to Save Your Legs 07:44 – Stop Obsessing Over Distance—Focus on This Instead 08:10 – Pre-Hydrate Like a Pro for Long Hikes 08:30 – The Micro-Break Strategy for Endless Energy 08:55 – Natural Energy Boosters You’re Probably Ignoring 09:20 – The Warning Signs Your Body’s Sending (Don’t Ignore Them) 09:45 – The Layering Mistake That Could Leave You Freezing 10:10 – The Psychological Power of a ‘Victory Snack’ 10:53 – Break In Your Gear—Or Pay the Price Later 11:20 – The Night-Time Trick That’ll Save Your Sanity 11:47 – Most Hikers Wear Their Hip Belt Wrong—Do You? 12:15 – The Simple Sock Swap That Feels Like Heaven 12:43 – The Weird Gear Hack: Why I Hike with Gardening Gloves 13:15 – The Sunscreen Rule You’re Definitely Breaking 13:45 – Always Carry This (It’s Not What You Think) 14:10 – The Snack Hack That Keeps Your Energy Up Without Stopping 14:35 – The One Water Planning Mistake That Can Ruin Your Hike 15:02 – Your Feet Will Swell—Here’s How to Deal with It 15:30 – How to Find Your Way Without a Compass 16:00 – The Shelter Skill That Can Save You in an Emergency 16:30 – Reading the Sky: Cloud Clues That Predict Weather 17:00 – Why You Should Always Turn Around on the Trail 17:30 – The Map-Reading Trick That Makes Navigation Easy 18:00 – Nature’s ‘Handrails’: The Secret to Never Getting Lost 18:30 – Don’t Fear the Dark—Master Night Navigation 19:00 – Estimating Distance Without GPS (Yes, You Can Do It) 19:30 – First Aid Isn’t Just a Kit—It’s a Skill 20:00 – River Crossings: The Dangerous Mistake Most Hikers Make 20:31 – How to Love the Unexpected (Even When It’s Tough) 21:00 – The Secret to Finding Joy in the Smallest Trail Moments 21:30 – Frustrated on the Trail? Do This Simple Reset 22:00 – The Journal Habit That Makes Every Hike More Memorable 22:30 – Hiking Alone? Why Sharing the Experience Still Matters 23:00 – The Art of Laughing at Your Own Hiking Fails 23:30 – Celebrate Small Wins—They Matter More Than You Think 24:00 – Create Hiking Rituals That Make Every Trip Special 24:30 – The Gratitude Shift That Makes Hard Hikes Feel Easy 25:00 – The Trail Will Always Be There—Here’s Why That Matters 25:30 – Hike Without a Destination—It’ll Change Everything Video Edited by Julian Maylett: @julianmaylett​