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Warning: I planned my whole trip around a 'perfect' campsite and missed the point
I was getting ready for a three day loop in the White Mountains, and I spent hours online picking a specific spot by a lake for my second night. I had the GPS coordinates, the photos, the whole thing. I was so focused on hitting that exact point that I rushed the first day, didn't stop to look at anything, and was just miserable trying to keep a pace to make it there. When I finally got to the lake, it was crowded, windy, and honestly not that great. The tip-off was talking to another hiker the next morning who told me about this amazing, quiet meadow he'd found just a mile off the trail the day before, a place I blew right past. I was so glued to my plan that I forgot the whole reason I go out there is to find those unexpected moments. Has anyone else gotten too locked into a route and missed something better?
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rowan_ross3mo ago
Yeah kevinw94 said it right about ditching the plan being where the magic is. I had a similar thing happen on a hike last fall where I was dead set on making a certain ridge by sunset and almost missed this little waterfall tucked behind some rocks that I only spotted because I stopped to tie my shoe. That random detour ended up being the whole highlight of the trip and now I always leave at least a few hours unplanned on purpose.
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jessica3316mo ago
I used to be the same way about sticking to a plan. Getting lost on a side trail last year showed me the best spots are never on the map. Now I leave room to wander.
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