Shakedown Trip Lessons: What I Learned Getting Back on the Trail (Backpacking Over 40)
After getting back out on the trail for a recent shakedown trip, one thing became really clear:
A lot changes when you get older.
Not just physically, but in how you approach backpacking, how you prepare, and what actually matters once you’re out there. This trip wasn’t about distance or difficulty. It was about getting back into the rhythm, testing gear, and figuring out what still works—and what doesn’t.
Why Shakedown Trips Matter More Than You Think
When I was younger, I didn’t think twice about throwing gear into a pack and heading out.
Now, that approach doesn’t really work.
A shakedown trip gives you a low-risk way to:
- Test gear
- Work through your setup
- Identify problems early
And maybe most importantly:
Build confidence before committing to longer trips
The Setup: Keep It Simple
This trip was intentionally simple:
- Short hike in
- Easy bailout
- Mild weather
- Close to home
That wasn’t by accident.
The goal wasn’t adventure, but rather evaluation.
Gear Testing on the Trail
One of the biggest benefits of a shakedown trip is being able to test gear in a controlled environment.
Communication & Safety
I tested the Garmin inReach, and it worked exactly as expected. Having that level of communication, especially as a solo backpacker with a family, is a huge confidence boost.
I did a full review of the Garmin InReach in a recent post, and you can check it out by clicking the link below:
Cook System Changes
I also moved from a Jetboil setup to a lighter stove-and-pot system. The primary purpose was to save weight, but it also led me to realize that, for my style of backpacking (boiling water for meals and coffee), it worked perfectly and let me cut over half a pound from my base weight without sacrificing much.
This was a good reminder that:
You don’t need complex gear if your use case is simple
🏕️ Tent Upgrade: Durston X-Mid 2
One of the bigger changes on this trip was switching tents.
I moved from a heavier Alps Mountaineering tent (~55 oz) to the Durston X-Mid 2, which comes in significantly lighter and uses a trekking pole setup.
Overall, the tent performed well:
- Lighter weight was noticeable
- Interior space was excellent
- The double-wall design helped with comfort
But there were a few things that stood out:
- The trekking pole setup has a learning curve
- The offset design takes some getting used to
- Pitching on uneven ground can be challenging
This is not a tent you want to figure out for the first time in the dark.
We’ve got a full breakdown of my first experience with the tent, including pros, cons, and who it’s best for:
The Small Mistakes That Matter: Shakedown Trip Lessons
Some of the most valuable lessons came from small mistakes.
Packing Order
I packed out of sequence, which didn’t seem like a big deal—until I got to camp.
Then I had to dig through everything just to get to what I needed.
Lesson:
How you pack matters just as much as what you pack
Sleep & Comfort
Sleep was decent—but not great.
- Pillow setup needed adjustment
- Knees took a beating without a sit pad
- A few nighttime disturbances added up
That reinforced something important: If you don’t sleep well, nothing else really matters
What This Trip Really Taught Me
Looking back on the trip, I realized I wasn’t just testing gear—I was evaluating my entire system.
Everything I was doing naturally fell into four categories:
- Testing gear in real conditions
- Organizing my setup for efficiency
- Evaluating recovery and sleep
- Confirming what I was ready for
That’s where the idea for what I’m calling the TORC System came from.
H2: Introducing the TORC System
The TORC System is a simple framework you can use while you’re on your shakedown trip:
- T — Test your gear in real conditions
- O — Organize your setup so it works efficiently
- R — Recover and evaluate sleep and comfort
- C — Confirm whether you’re actually ready
It’s not something you run before the trip.
👉 It’s something you use while you’re out there to make better decisions.
Get the Full TORC Breakdown + Checklist
We put together a full guide that breaks down the TORC System in detail, along with a printable checklist you can use on your own trips.
👉 Read the full TORC guide here (internal link to Tips/Tricks/Hacks post)
👉 Download the TORC checklist here
Shakedow trip lessons: Final thoughts
This trip wasn’t about distance or difficulty. It was about getting a chance to test and process in a way that actually sets you up for success.
If you’re getting back into backpacking after 40, the goal isn’t to prove you can still do it. It’s to make sure you actually enjoy doing it. Suffering isn’t something you should choose, you should be choosing to make the adjustments that make suffering a non-issue.
