You should have more Type 2 Fun - Here’s How

You should have more Type 2 Fun - Here’s How

When you are planning fun things to do, what comes to mind? Video games, roller coasters, drinking adult beverages (if you are 21+)? I think that most guys would classify these activities as ‘fun’ and so would I. What all these things have in common is that they are 1) fun while you are doing them, 2) fun after you are done with them, and  while it may require some courage to get on the roller coaster or skill to play video game well, they 3) do not involve a significant amount of physical pain or discipline to complete. This is a type of fun, specifically Type 1 Fun and I enjoy it just as much as the next guy - BUT - these activities do not offer a long lasting sense of accomplishment and can have negative side effects on your health and well being.

This is where Type 2 Fun comes in. Type 2 fun is fun that is not fun while you are doing it, requires physical pain and/or discipline to complete BUT is fun after you are done and offers a sense of meaning and accomplishment. Backpacking, often times involves a lot of Type 2 fun. 

Here are 5 ways to have more type 2 fun while backpacking

1 - Embrace bad weather

Some Type 2 Fun in Bad Weather

Weather is not something that you can control. The free time that you have to go backpacking is also likely limited by work, family obligations, and other factors. If you have a limited number of days to get out and only go when the weather is ideal then you will miss many opportunities for some Type 2 fun. Nothing makes a story about a 30 mile, 8 peak hike than adding in the fact that it was down-pouring rain the entire time. ULTRA-BADASS Type 2 Fun.

Tips for hiking in bad weather:

  • Don’t worry too much about getting wet. Rain gear is meant to keep you warm and keep you alive not necessarily keep you 100% dry. Bring an extra set of clothes to sleep in that you only put on when you are ready to go to sleep do everything you can to keep them dry during the day.

  • Use a pack cover to keep your gear as dry as possible. The wetter your gear gets, the heavier it gets.

  • Use dry bags for items that you need to keep 100% dry such as down sleeping bags, cameras, cell phones, first aid kits, and fire starting kits.

2 - Attempt longer hikes in shorter time frames 

Competition, even with yourself, will enhance the Type 2 fun of the trip. Racing against the clock will give you additional motivation and thrill of setting a new record. This Type 2 fun enhancer is especially good for hikes/trails that you have previously completed.

Tips attempting longer hikes in shorter time frames:

  • If you are healthy enough, train before the hike with other day-hikes, trail runs, or road runs. The added strength and hopefully improved VO2 max will allow you to hike faster, for longer without taking as many breaks.

  • Reduce the weight of your gear you bring and the amount of gear you bring.

  • Plan out way points and time along the way so you can track your progress.

3 - Bring a camera and takes pictures that few others can take

I took this image with my Fuji XT-3 at sunrise on the summit of Mt. Garfield in New Hampshire, USA

Some of the most beautiful, interesting places are also extremely difficult to get to and even more so carrying an extra 10lbs of camera gear. Creating an objective of taking a really awesome picture and adding traditionally unnecessary gear to your load out will surely add to the difficulty of the hike and increase the sense of accomplishment at the end. A surefire way to have more type 2 fun.

Tips on taking awesome hiking pictures

My Backpacking Camera Gear*

Stills Camera - Fujifilm XT-3

Lens - Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

Tripod - JOBY GorillaPod 3K

Video Camera - DJI Osmo Pocket 

Action Camera - GoPro Hero 8

Drone - DJI Mavic Air

4 - Get up before sunrise, hike until sunset

Hiking in the dark can seem scary with that fear adding to the Type 2 fun. Not only that but if you are up before sunrise and hiking until dark, you will be putting in 8+ hours moving on the trail that day, a challenge for even experienced hikers. In contrast to looking to hike you route as quickly as possible, this increasing the fun by maximizing the amount of time you spend on the trail and an opportunity to boost your daily mileage without increasing pace and the ability to see more of the wilderness you are exploring.

Tips for getting up early and staying out late:

  • Drink a lot of water before bed, it will help you with the hardest part of getting up early - getting out of you shelter in order to ‘water the flowers’.

  • Plan out camp sites ahead of time that are the number of hours of sunlight/how fast you hike so that you have the knowledge there will be a campsite set up at when the sun goes down.

  • Bring morale boosting snacks as a treat to keep you going if you mental energy starts lacking

5 - Hike with friends who you can share the Type 2 fun with

The best way to maximize Type 2 fun is to have it with friends. Having people to reminisce about the time you spent 4 days hiking in the rain or a buddy to help keep you going to complete you planning hike in under 24 hours will help you have more fun after you are done. The more the better  -just make sure they read the Backpacking essentials guide so they have an idea of what they are doing.

Tips for having more Type 2 fun with friends:

  • Leave out key details of the trip so they don’t know how bad it will be

  • Peer Pressure

  • Tell as many badass stories that you can to convince them to come out with you

Conclusion

Type 2 fun is the hack you need to get out more, make better memories, and live a healthier more fulfilling life. 

Embrace the suck, get out there and live your best life.


*Disclaimer: Big Guy Backpacking uses affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links.

Michael Ward