Let’s be honest. How much of your pack weight is actual need… and how much is just fear?
Fear of being cold.
Fear of running out of food.
Fear of “what if…?”
Fear packs your bag heavier than need ever will.
And while fear feels protective, it’s often just uncertainty in disguise. If you haven’t tested and trusted your system, you’ll overcompensate. With weight, with bulk, and with dollars.
🎒 I’ve hiked across Tasmania’s toughest wilderness for over 30 years. The heaviest packs? Almost always from fear-based packing. One guest I once guided carried three jackets, two rain shells, and ten days of “emergency snacks”… for a six day trip. He was exhausted by day one.
Here’s how to fix it:
🎯 Dial in your essentials.
Build a core kit that’s proven and personal:
Shelter. Sleep. Weather protection. Cooking. Layers. Safety.
Once that’s solid, everything else is a luxury—not a security blanket.
🛠️ Want to break the fear cycle? Try this:
Pack from an essentials-only checklist.
After your trip, lay it all out. What stayed untouched?
Ask yourself: Would I bring this again, knowing what I know now? Obviously the emergency items need to remain.
💡 And remember:
Fear-based packing doesn’t just weigh you down, it drains your wallet. Buying more gear “just in case” is how small costs stack into big regrets.
Bottom Line:
You don’t need more gear.
You need more certainty.
If you want my gear selection guide to make things easier, grab it below
Less fear. More clarity. Let’s make your setup unstoppable.
THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK
Thanks for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope it gave you something to think about (or pack for).
Until next week, keep exploring.
Mowser
Discover more. Hike further.
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