I didn’t go on my first backpacking trip until I was 40. Two years later, I did something a lot of people thought was either incredibly brave or slightly unhinged.

I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail alone for five months.

With very little experience.
Very little idea what I was doing.

I had this belief that if I was going to become a “real” backpacker, I had to go all in.

Big miles. Big goals. Big suffering.

For a long time, I thought that’s what backpacking was supposed to look like. But now, at 49? I backpack completely differently.

Honestly, I enjoy it so much more now than I ever did back then.

The Lie So Many People Believe About Backpacking

I think this is where a lot of people get stuck.

They believe backpacking only “counts” if it’s:

  • Big
  • Extreme
  • Impressive
  • Difficult

So they wait.

They wait until:

  • They’re in better shape
  • Life slows down
  • They have more time
  • They feel “ready”

And most of them never actually start.

That’s the part I wish I could change because what I’ve learned from starting backpacking at 40, thru-hiking at 42 and now backpacking at 49 is that the way most people think backpacking has to look is exactly what keeps them from ever doing it.

I Skipped the “Normal” Beginner Backpacker Phase

When I first got into backpacking, I skipped right over the beginner phase.

You know:

  • One-night trips
  • Close-to-home trips
  • Learning slowly
  • Figuring things out step-by-step

I barely did any of that. The first time I ever slept alone in my tent was on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Sierra. Which feels absolutely wild to me now.

At the time, my mindset was: If I’m doing this, I’m going ALL IN.

That became my identity for years.

  • Thru-hiker
  • Big miles
  • Long trails
  • Pushing harder

After hiking the PCT, I kept chasing that version of myself. I went back over and over trying to recreate that same experience through:

  • Long section hikes
  • Bigger mileage
  • Longer adventures

Eventually, I realized something: I never really learned how to just be a backpacker and that cost me more than I expected.

Why Women Starting Backpacking Later in Life Feel So Overwhelmed

I see this happen all the time with women I coach. They have this dream of backpacking, but in their mind, backpacking looks like:

  • A thru-hike
  • Huge mileage days
  • Extreme adventures
  • Suffering through discomfort

If that’s your definition of backpacking, of course it feels overwhelming. So instead of starting small, they don’t start at all. Maybe you’ve felt this too.

Like:

  • If the trip isn’t “big enough,” it doesn’t count
  • If you can’t go all in, you shouldn’t bother
  • If you start small, you’re somehow failing

That belief alone keeps so many women stuck for years.

What Changed for Me at 49

Things really started shifting for me around 48.

I was dealing with:

  • Lower energy
  • Sleep issues
  • Heat intolerance
  • Perimenopause symptoms
  • Recovery taking longer

I had to admit something to myself. The way I’d been backpacking wasn’t working for me anymore.

At first, that was hard because so much of my identity was tied to being someone who could:

  • Hike big miles
  • Be uncomfortable
  • Push through anything

Here’s what surprised me though. Slowing down didn’t take backpacking away from me. It actually made backpacking better.

What I Do Differently Now (And Why I Enjoy Backpacking More)

  1. I Plan Shorter Backpacking Trips

I used to think backpacking had to mean:

  • Weeks on trail
  • Huge adventures
  • Big mileage

Now? I’m perfectly happy planning:

  • 1-night trips
  • 2-night trips
  • 3-day backpacking trips

Honestly, this shift alone made backpacking feel:

  • More realistic
  • More enjoyable
  • More sustainable

Especially in this season of life.

  1. I Prioritize Comfort

This was a huge mindset shift.

Now I bring:

My Backpacking Gear List (with links of where you can find everything online)

I’m not trying to “survive” backpacking anymore. I’m trying to enjoy it. And you know what? Enjoying backpacking actually makes you want to keep doing it.

  1. I Stopped Obsessing Over Miles

This one changed everything.

Backpacking used to feel like: How far can I go?

Now it feels like: How do I want to feel while I’m out there?

That’s a completely different experience and I think it’s a healthier one too.

  1. I Started Acting Like a Beginner Again

After moving to Montana, I had to start over in many ways.

New trails.
New terrain.
New wildlife.

Instead of avoiding that discomfort, I leaned into it. I intentionally started hiking in places that scared me a little.

Not recklessly, but enough to keep growing.

Confidence doesn’t come from staying comfortable all the time. It comes from proving to yourself you can handle new experiences.

  1. I Stopped Thinking I Had to Do Everything Alone

This one surprised me the most.

For a long time, solo backpacking became part of my identity. While I still love hiking solo, building a community of women through my program completely changed my relationship with the outdoors.

Because now? It’s not just about proving I can do this alone. It’s about sharing the experience too.

And honestly, that’s made backpacking even more meaningful.

You Don’t Need a Huge Backpacking Trip to Change Your Life

This is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned.

You don’t need:

  • A thru-hike
  • A massive adventure
  • Huge mileage

To have a meaningful experience outside.

Sometimes confidence comes from:

  • One overnight trip
  • One small win
  • One moment where you realize: I can actually do this.

That’s where real confidence gets built.

Not through suffering.
Not through proving yourself.
But through showing up consistently.

If You Feel “Behind,” You’re Not

If you’ve been thinking:

I should’ve started years ago
Maybe it’s too late for me
I don’t know enough yet

I need you to know this: You are not behind.

You don’t need to go all in to become a backpacker. You just need to start.

Small counts. Slow counts. Beginner counts.

Want Help Starting Backpacking Without Overthinking Everything?

If you’re a woman who wants to start backpacking but feels overwhelmed by:

  • Planning
  • Gear
  • Safety
  • Confidence
  • Doing it alone

I created a free guide to help simplify the process. Download my free guide:
The First Solo Backpacking Trip Roadmap

It walks you through exactly how to start planning your first solo backpacking trip step-by-step.

Want More Support and Community?

A lot of women don’t need more motivation.

They need:

  • A clear process
  • Accountability
  • Support while planning
  • And other women doing this alongside them

That’s exactly why I created The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System.

Inside this program, I help women:

  • Build confidence backpacking solo
  • Plan their trips step-by-step
  • Learn backpacking skills safely
  • Stop overthinking and actually get out on trail

You don’t have to figure this all out alone.

Learn more about the program here: The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System

Final Thoughts

If I could go back and talk to myself at 40, here’s what I’d say:

  • You don’t need to go big to become a real backpacker.
  • You don’t need to suffer to prove yourself.
  • You’re absolutely not too late to start.

I think I enjoy backpacking more now at 49 than I did at 42. Now it’s no longer about proving something.

It’s about:

  • Freedom
  • Joy
  • Confidence
  • Curiosity
  • And creating a life that actually feels good to live

That version of backpacking? That’s the one I wish more women knew was available to them.

 

Disclaimer: The-Hungry-Hiker.com is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Links and AvantlInks Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites at no cost to you. Please note, I only link to products and services I personally use and trust.