Most people would think that hiking through the backwoods sweaty and tired with 40lbs on your back would be some weird nightmare. Not us. We love backpacking and all the beautiful misery that comes with it. What could be better?

We live for the open trail before us, winding ever on. How does the saying go? "Not all who wander are lost." Doesn't that just stir you up inside?

Backpacking has been around since man lived in caves and ate meat off the bone over a bonfire. Funny thing is that the caveman diet, culture, and lightweight minimalist ideal is all the rage now. Less is more. But let's face it, the dirt bag life has become more mainstream that anyone could have imagined. I mean, you want to be cool don't you?

With the rise in the popularity of Pacific North West and Appalachian Trails people have taken to the backpack as a way of life, literally.

With all the new found backpacking love, there are a lot of newbies, like me, who just go for the gold and figure it out on the way. But they can be costly mistakes when you are in the middle of nowhere, with no help in sight.

So, what are the 3 most common backpacking mistakes?

1. Too Much Stuff.
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes ever made by any person new to the world of backpacking. For some reason the thought never crosses our mind that we actually have to carry everything we want to bring along.

The curse of too much stuff with you will always get you in the end. Your legs, your lungs, and your back will not forgive you either. They will scream in protest at the most inopportune time. Want to make it the whole way? Pay attention.

You might not think that a few items here and there are not that big of deal, but trust me, the law of numbers and stack up will crush you in the end. Extra shoes here, hardback book there, in the end the extra pounds will make your experience less then ideal.

Do yourself one favor. Take your backpack, turn it upside down and pour the contents into one pile. Pick up each piece of gear you want to take along....each...peice.

If you don't have more then 1 use for that item, toss it to the side. You will be amazed at how much stuff you don't use when you go backpacking for the first time and realize how much gear you never touched!

2. Wearing the Wrong Clothes
Don't think that clothes have anything to do with backpacking? Think again. Having the right attire (including foot ware) that matches the environments you will encounter is key to success and avoiding painful failure.

The clothes on your back and shoes on your feet are the first line of defense you have against the elements that surround you. Not going to be raining? Doesn't matter, it will probably be hot then. What kind of socks are you wearing? Are they going to soak up and keep that moisture until your feet are shriveled and blistered?

What type of pants are you wearing? Do they allow you to bend and climb, to squat and move around with a full range of motion? How will they react to hot, cold, wet, and dirt? These are important questions for your comfort and well being.

When it comes to most newbies heading out into the great outdoors for a backpacking trip, guessing usually does the job. Not good. Not having any experience with fabrics or boots, how they will hold up and react is a recipe for disaster. Knowledge is key, get online and do some research. Knowing something is better then nothing.

3. Not Breaking in the Backpack
Here is a bad idea for you. Go plan a great outdoor adventure that includes backpacking somewhere awesome. Then go buy yourself a nice backpacking from Amazon or REI. Then make sure not to put your backpack on more then once or twice before you go.

Ok, did I make my point? Breaking in a backpack has as much to do with breaking in your own back and getting used to the gear and weight, as it does with the backpack itself.

Learning how to easily put on and take off your backpack from multiple positions easily and efficiently will save you a ton of headaches. Knowing how to adjust and manipulate all the straps on your backpack before you're out on the trail will pay back dividends in the future.

It takes a while to learn the best weight, ride, and balance of any fully loaded backpack. It is not something you want to just guess at and wait for the big day before trying everything out.

You should put on your fully loaded backpack and go for a nice stroll about a dozen times or more before you hit the open road. This is not only good for conditioning, but you will know your backpack intimately, and everything will run like a fine oiled machine on D-day.

What are the 3 most common and deadly backpacking mistakes? Taking to much stuff, wearing the wrong clothes, and not breaking in your backpack. Avoid these three common mistakes and you will be ahead of the curve by a long shot.

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