Andrew Skurka's Five Rules for Leading Backpacking Trips

Andrew Skurka, a former thru-hiker and professional guide, has shared five rules for leading successful backpacking trips. The advice, presented in a video for The Trek, is aimed at friends, family members, and aspiring guides taking others into the wilderness.

Skurka draws on extensive experience. Since 2011, he has guided about 130 trips with over 1,000 clients, spending roughly 650 days in the field. His company has run approximately 430 trips total, serving more than 2,400 clients.

What a Trip Leader Does

Skurka breaks a leader's responsibilities into two distinct phases: preparation and execution.

Before a trip begins, the leader is formative in creating the route and securing the necessary permits. They also handle logistics like travel plans, lodging, and gear assistance. Critical safety planning involves identifying bailout points and ensuring emergency communication devices are operational.

Skurka advises against the leader doing all this work alone in casual settings. "Oversee them, for sure. Make sure the plan is good. But get other people involved," he says. Involving others increases engagement and helps participants learn trip-planning skills for future outings.

During the trip, the leader's role is fluid. It can shift from being an empathetic listener to an executive decision-maker. A leader might fetch water at the end of a long day or offer emotional support. Skurka summarizes the primary job as one of service, ensuring the trip's success as defined by the group's desires.

Rule 1: Trip Leading Is Its Own Skill

The first rule is to recognize that trip leading is a unique skill set, separate from backpacking proficiency. Being an excellent backpacker does not automatically make someone a good leader.

Skurka categorizes the necessary skills into hard and soft types. Hard skills involve technical group management, like safely crossing a swift river or handling talus as a unit. Soft skills are equally vital and often harder to develop. These include communication, empathy, and the wisdom to anticipate group needs. Skurka views developing these skills as a rewarding, years-long journey.

Rule 2: Meet Your Group Where They Are

The second rule emphasizes that the trip is about the group, not the leader. It is unfair to expect less experienced companions to match the leader's pace or comfort level, especially on early outings. Pushing a group too hard betrays their trust and can paint the leader as inconsiderate.

Skurka admits to failing at this rule himself. He recalls early trips with his wife, Amanda, where he assumed she wanted the same wild adventures he did. Taking her on trips beyond her readiness and desires was a mistake, he acknowledges.

Rule 3: Plan the Trip Collaboratively

Skurka's third rule advocates for collaborative trip planning. He suggests using tools like a shared Google Doc where participants can contribute to the itinerary, meal planning, and gear lists. This approach distributes the workload and invests everyone in the trip's outcome. For professional guides, this might mean consulting with clients beforehand to understand their goals and fitness.

Rule 4: Have a Contingency Plan

The fourth rule is to always have a contingency plan. Conditions in the backcountry are unpredictable. Weather can turn, trails can be damaged, or a group member may fall ill. A good leader has considered alternative routes, bailout options, and schedule adjustments before they are needed. This preparedness prevents panic and allows for calm, decisive action.

**Rule 5: Debrief and Learn**

The final rule is to conduct a post-trip debrief. Skurka recommends asking participants what worked well and what could be improved. For professional guides, this feedback is important for refining future trips. In casual groups, it helps everyone learn and ensures subsequent adventures are even better. He notes that learning from each experience is fundamental to becoming a more effective leader.

Skurka's rules are derived from guiding trips in diverse locations like southern Utah, Alaska, and the High Sierra. His background includes thru-hiking major routes like the Appalachian Trail and the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop.