--- title: "6 late resolutions for everyone who loves the mountains" description: "And what kind of resolutions are we talking about? Mountain ones, of course, and ideally the kind you'll enjoy with lightness and joy despite the odd challenge. Let's go!" canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/blog/6-late-resolutions-for-mountain-lovers" last_updated: "2022-01-16" --- # 6 late resolutions for everyone who loves the mountains Authors: Tomáš Roztočil Date: 2022-01-16 And what kind of resolutions are we talking about? Mountain ones, of course, and ideally the kind you'll enjoy with lightness and joy despite the odd challenge. Let's go! You might be thinking it's a little late for this year's resolutions, and wondering whether vague plans like that are worth anything at all. In this article I'll try to convince you that having some kind of vision always matters, and that January and February are in fact the perfect time for long-term plans. By now your over-motivated December self has had plenty of time to work out which resolutions were realistic and which are going into the drawer of unfulfilled wishes. The perfect moment to come up with something you'll actually do. And what kind of resolutions are we talking about? Mountain ones, of course, and ideally the kind you'll enjoy with lightness and joy despite the odd challenge. So let's dive in. ## Shed some pack weight No, for once this isn't about penance for the excesses of the holidays – a few fat reserves come in handy in winter, and on long summer treks they're pure gold… **Kilos are going to come off, though. From where? Your back, of course.** When you pack for your first trek of the year, start by thinking about what you really need out there, and what stays in your pack as dead weight you never touch for the whole trip. That's not where it ends, though. Once you're left with a slimmed-down pile of the gear and clothing that actually matters, you know exactly where to shed those kilos! Think about which piece of your so-called 'Big Three' (sleeping bag, backpack, tent or tarp) most deserves an upgrade, and don't be afraid to invest in yourself a little – new gear pays you back with a lighter step and often more comfort too. You'll find more tips on lightening your mountain kit in [one of our earlier articles](/blog/how-to-lighten-your-backpack-7-tips), but personally I have to say that the thing that made me happiest this past year was my new down sleeping bag, the [Cumulus Panyam 450](/p/cumulus-panyam-450), and the [Granite Gear Crown3 60 backpack.](/p/granite-gear-crown3-60) ## Go off the beaten path Our corner of Europe is conveniently ringed by one mountain range after another, but many of you will admit their capacity was already stretched to the limit during the pandemic. On weekends and in peak season, the popular spots and the highest summits of each range still feel more like a busy city high street than a mountain. And crowds bring a fundamental problem – not only do you get no rest on an overcrowded ridge, but above all the mountains themselves genuinely suffer under the pressure of visitors. So if you want more solitude in the mountains and to help ease the impact of overtourism at the same time, **try making a resolution to head into the unknown at least once in a while**. How about skipping the overhyped tourist attraction and going one hill, one ridge, or even one mountain range further – you might not find an ice-cold soda waiting there, but you'll discover that much more and get the mountains to yourself. If you can, try heading up midweek. You'll see for yourself how the mountains repay you. ## Leave no trace Let's be honest – we'd all love to have all that nature and all those mountains to ourselves. To wake up bundled in a sleeping bag right on a ridge, have breakfast, brew coffee over a fire and set off into the unknown. But the reality of mountain hiking today is unforgiving, and millions of people around the world are picturing exactly the same idyll. So when you're planning your next adventure, try to think about how to minimize your footprint on the landscape, so that it stays as close to its original state as possible for every other nature lover too. **Try to stick to the principles of** [**Leave No Trace**](/blog/leave-no-trace) – choose your sleeping spot carefully, consider getting a [trowel](/p/thetentlab-dirtsaw-deuce-2-ul-trowel), and always be considerate toward other trekkers. Only with respect for nature and for the other people who come there to clear their heads will all of us get the most out of the mountains. ## Hike in the rain Not a cloud in the sky, twenty degrees, a light breeze… those are obviously the conditions we all hope for, especially on longer treks. But next time you head for the mountains and a quick look at the forecast tells you you're in for canyoning rather than hiking, don't throw your pack in the corner just yet – pack a few extra [dry bags](/c/gear/drybags-and-organisers), pull on some [waterproof socks](/c/clothing/waterproof-socks) and get up that hill! Oh, and read [Martin Benc's article on long trails in the rain](/blog/long-trails-in-the-rain) on our blog too, the response to it was fantastic. Rain-soaked treks often have the advantage that you have the mountains to yourself, and on top of that they give you a reason to come back to the same place (if only for the views you lost in the fog). Without any irony – **give rainy trips a chance** – you'll learn a huge amount about your gear and you'll come home smiling in the end. **So another resolution for the new year is to get outside in any weather!** ## Swap hiking for bikepacking **Besides classic hiking, give the bike a chance this year too.** From the cockpit of a mountain bike or a gravel bike the mountains have a completely different kind of magic – thanks to the undeniable physics of cycling, a bike can carry you across an entire mountain range in a single day, and closer to home it lets you explore areas over a weekend that would take you weeks to walk around. Not keen on hauling a tank loaded down with big touring panniers? You can happily forget about those and dive headfirst into minimalist bikepacking, which is what really gives your rides that proper hint of adventure. If you go for it and you're a complete beginner, definitely take a look at our article on [how to get started with bikepacking](/blog/how-to-get-started-with-bikepacking). ## And above all, get to the mountains The most important thing last: **whatever resolutions you make, above all try to spend even more time in the mountains this year than you did last year**. With a clearer head, a happier body and a stock of unforgettable stories, everyday life will feel that bit better again. Here's to it! This post is also available as [HTML](/blog/6-late-resolutions-for-mountain-lovers). ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.