Backpacking and trekking aren't just a matter of building strong legs and tough muscles. Iceland quickly reminded me of a lesson I have learned time and time again deep in the mossy forests of the Pacific Northwest – true strength isn't just about how much your pack weighs, or the miles you're able to cover, or the peaks that you summit – it's also about how much mental fortitude and unshakable determination you can summon when the rain has soaked through your last pair of dry socks, when the wind is so fierce it nearly knocks you off your feet and when the river you have to cross feels like liquid ice biting through your skin.

Why Mental Preparation Matters for Trekking

The trail will test you, not just physically, but mentally, time and time again. It can push you to your limits and it's up to you to be prepared. When people are first planning a backpacking or trekking trip, they start to prepare by logging miles and loading up their packs. And don't get me wrong – physical preparation is essential, but it's really only half the story. You can't muscle your way through homesickness on trail, or bench press your way past fear when you have to cross a narrow ridgeline. Mental fortitude is what fills that gap when physical strength runs low.

But how do you get better at it, aside from "in the moment" on trail? Here are some tips on how you can get yourself mentally ready for an upcoming trekking or backpacking trip:

4 Tips for Mental Training Before Your Trek

TIP #1: Get really comfortable with being uncomfortable.

This one is listed first because I truly think it is the most important tip I can possibly give you. You'll need to prepare yourself for long days on trail, sometimes restless nights of sleep, and then you'll need to wake up and be ready to do it again, and sometimes in less than ideal weather conditions. So, when you are training and you're thinking about bailing on the planned hike because the weather looks a little rainy? Go anyway. If you're sore from the previous days' hike? Get out on trail anyways. I'm not suggesting you go out in unsafe conditions, but I am suggesting you lean into that discomfort – really let yourself feel it, and then keep going because it will be so much easier to do the same when you're finally out on your trek.

TIP #2: Give yourself micro-challenges along the way.

Push yourself past those moments when you feel like you've reached your limit—the "quit points" in your training, where every part of you is screaming to stop. Whether it's a few extra minutes of running when your legs feel like lead, or pushing through an extra hill climb that seems impossible in the moment, this is where the real growth happens. Resilience doesn't come from taking the easy path or stopping when things get tough; it's forged in those moments of discomfort (see tip #1), when you dig deeper than you thought you could. It's in those extra minutes, those final reps, or that last stretch that you learn what you're truly capable of. Each time you push through, you build mental toughness, increase your endurance, and reinforce your inner strength. In those moments, you're not just training your body, you're training your mind to keep going, no matter what.

TIP #3: Pack a pocket pep talk.

Let's take a moment for a little visualization. Picture yourself at mile ten—you're sweaty, tired, and the rain has been relentless and it feels like it has started to wash away the last bit of energy you have. What will you say to yourself? What are the words that will carry you through? Practice them now, not later. For our trip on the Laugavegur in Iceland, the mantra was clear from day one on the trail, "we can do hard things". The refrain would often be repeated over the days that followed. These words won't just be motivational, they'll feel like a lifeline – strengthen your inner dialogue so it becomes automatic when you need it most.

TIP #4: Find your community.

There's a unique kind of magic that happens when women come together to explore the world, whether it's hiking through Iceland's otherworldly landscapes, tackling a challenging climb, or simply sitting together in the quiet moments, sharing stories of our lives. Strength multiplies in groups, and when we lean on each other, we find that our individual resilience becomes something greater.

Find a training buddy, or even better – training buddies, plural. Make a commitment to get together and get outside to train. It's so much easier to be consistent and fight through the struggle bus when you have someone by your side.

What Iceland Taught Me About Mental Resilience on the Trail

In Iceland, as I trekked alongside women who had become both companions and sisters on this adventure, I realized something profound: resilience isn't solitary. It's shaped and strengthened by the presence of others who encourage, lift, and inspire. I realized that our strength...my strength...isn't just found in our ability to push through adversity, it's found in how we show up for one another.

On our trips, we're not just exploring new places. The moments of laughter, the spontaneous bursts of joy, and yes, the moments of vulnerability, when emotions rise to the surface and we allow ourselves to feel deeply, are all part of the magic. We cheer each other on, not just when we succeed, but especially when we falter. Those are the moments that weave us together in a way that makes the journey unforgettable. This connection isn't just about the shared experience of the trip itself. It's about the deep sense of belonging that grows from being in a space where women are not competing with one another. In the shared spaces of quiet reflection, in the conversations that continue long into the evening, and in the peals of laughter after a long day of exploring, something intangible but powerful happens.

Building Resilience Through Women's Adventure Travel

So, whether it's trekking through Iceland's rugged terrain, camping under the midnight sun, or navigating the ups and downs of life, the reminder is clear: resilience is nurtured in community. And when women come together, there's a certain magic that happens—a strength that grows, not only from the terrain we traverse but from the deep, unwavering connections we form along the way.

Mental Preparation for Backpacking: 4 Essential Training Tips