Arguing with my buddy: he plans every mile, I like to wander. What's your method for backpacking routes?

Adam_dixon91's hot spring find is a great example. When you have to change your route, what's your usual method for picking a new direction? Just go with a gut feeling, or something else?

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adam_dixon916mo ago

Man, overplanning kills the adventure. Last summer I had a detailed route through the North Cascades and had to scrap it day two because a bridge was out. If I'd stuck to the plan, I would've missed this amazing unmarked hot spring a ranger told me about. Half the fun is finding the weird side trail or changing course for better weather. A loose outline with some key points is all you need.

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jade_baker906mo ago

But honestly, how much does it even matter? My buddy printed like ten pages of maps for a weekend trip once. Kinda nuts. Still ended up at the same campground. Seems like people just make a big deal out of their own preference. Just walk into the woods and figure it out, or don't. As long as you have a snack.

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