As someone who loves spending time in the great outdoors, I've had my fair share of hiking adventures. While I've had some amazing experiences, I've also made a few mistakes along the way. Here are the top 5 mistakes I made while hiking, and what I learned from them:

Not packing enough water.

One of the biggest mistakes I made while hiking was not bringing enough water with me. I assumed that I would be able to find water sources along the trail, but that wasn't always the case. This led to me becoming dehydrated and feeling drained for the rest of the hike.

Lesson learned: Always bring more water than you think you'll need. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to hydration in the outdoors.

Underestimating the difficulty of the trail.

Another mistake I made was not researching the trail enough before embarking on my hike. I ended up taking on a trail that was much more challenging than I anticipated, and it ended up being a long and grueling experience.

Lesson learned: Make sure to thoroughly research the difficulty of a trail before embarking on it. This will help you better prepare and have a more enjoyable hike.

Not wearing the right clothing.

I also made the mistake of not dressing appropriately for the weather. On one particular hike, I wore thin, lightweight clothing and ended up getting cold and miserable.

Lesson learned: Always dress in layers and make sure to pack clothing suitable for any weather changes. This will help you stay comfortable and safe while hiking.

Not informing someone of my plans.

Another mistake I made was not telling anyone about my hiking plans. I thought I would be fine on my own, but ended up getting lost and having to rely on a stranger for help.

Lesson learned: Always let someone know your hiking plans, including the trail you will be taking and your expected return time. This will help ensure that someone knows where you are in case of an emergency.

Not carrying a first aid kit.

I also made the mistake of not carrying a first aid kit with me on a hike. I ended up getting a blister and had no way to treat it, which made the rest of the hike quite uncomfortable.

Lesson learned: Always carry a first aid kit with you while hiking. You never know when you may need it, and it's better to be prepared for any injuries or emergencies.

Overall, these mistakes have taught me the importance of being prepared and well-informed while hiking. By learning from my mistakes, I have become a safer and more confident hiker. I hope these lessons will help other hikers avoid making the same mistakes I did, and have a more enjoyable and safe time in the outdoors.