The leader is the overall coordinator, akin to a general manager or a homeroom teacher—they are the ones who steer the big picture. A leader doesn’t need to be an expert in every field, nor are they equivalent to a guide, porter, accountant, planner, or sweeper. However, they may take on these roles concurrently (their primary role as leader remains unchanged).
Outdoor group activities are usually based on the AA (all-contributing) system, which applies not just to expenses but also to shared responsibility. For example, participants should manage their own trash and protect the environment. Capable members should help those less experienced, proactively volunteer for tasks to ease the leader’s burden, stay calm during challenges, follow the leader’s arrangements, and offer reasonable suggestions when appropriate.
2. Being afraid to join the outdoor community due to a fear—thinking that you can’t do outdoor activities without money, and that only the wealthy can afford it.
That’s absolutely not true. The outdoors aren’t just for the rich. There are ways to enjoy nature whether you have a lot or a little money. As long as you have a reasonable self-assessment and avoid unnecessary comparisons, you can still have fun and gain valuable experience.
3. Some newcomers have a bad habit of not using their brains and lacking self-reliance.
Outdoor activity is like a discipline—there are no shortcuts to becoming a seasoned hiker. Truly interested individuals will actively research, prepare, and reflect on challenges even after class, which naturally leads to faster improvement. Those who only settle for what the instructor explains in class will never become good students.
4. Misunderstanding what makes a “veteran hiker.” People often assume someone with top-tier gear, great storytelling skills, extensive travel history, exceptional stamina, and a penchant for high-difficulty trips is a veteran hiker, and they idolize them, vowing to be just like them.
A true veteran hiker is first and foremost virtuous—helpful, warmly welcoming to newcomers, indifferent to fame and fortune, humble, unpretentious, not petty about small matters, principled about big ones, aware of their limits, and possessing leadership composure, tolerance for differing opinions and practices.Traveler's Forumhttp://bbs.xzwyu.com
Secondly, it’s about the depth of experience in outdoor activities (not just theoretical knowledge), and the understanding of outdoor philosophies, among other things.
In short, to become a veteran hiker, you must first have a deep and lasting passion for the outdoors, then be diligent in thinking, continuously learning and practicing.
5. About indulgence vs. self-discipline (luxury vs. hardship trips).
Choosing what kind of activity to participate in should be based on your own actual situation—it’s about finding what’s suitable for you, not necessarily what’s “best.”
6. Newcomers rush to buy gear before a trip, thinking they can’t go without proper equipment.
Not at all. If camping is needed, you can rent gear. If you really have no equipment, you can join a one-day trip, stay with local families, or take part in a light-load activity. After gaining some experience, you’ll know what you truly need and can make informed purchases without blindly following trends.
7. Newcomers often chase after the latest gear, always feeling theirs isn't good enough—gear obsession syndrome.
Every piece of gear is designed with a specific purpose. It’s impossible for one item to excel in all types of activities. For example, footwear comes in many types: mountaineering boots, hiking shoes, trekking shoes, trail running shoes, stream-shoeing shoes, etc. Some might think a single pair of high-end hiking shoes can cover all needs. While not impossible, for certain terrains (like muddy trails or big rivers), a simple pair of cloth shoes might actually be more convenient, cost-effective, and worry-free than “overly technical waterproof hiking boots.” The idea is to use the right tool for the job. Similarly, using an alpine tent for beach camping or quick summer hikes is impractical—it’s too heavy, poorly ventilated, may be single-layered or snowproof but not waterproof, expensive, and depreciates quickly after a single use.
8. A key philosophy in outdoor activities is “simplicity.”
Nowadays, even middle school codes of conduct have removed emphasis on hard work and austerity, but simplicity is still something we should advocate. Extravagance and waste should always be opposed.
Often, newcomers are quite cost-conscious—but does saving more always mean better? Sometimes, we boast about ticket-evading tricks, pride ourselves on bargaining skills, expose retailers’ costs, source goods directly, or push for group buys. Is this always good? We promote thrift and oppose unfair charges or profiteering—but don’t overcorrect. Consider this: if you evade tickets and get injured in a scenic area, management may not be liable. The ticket often includes insurance coverage—if you evade it, you lose that protection. Also, for areas where ticket revenue supports staff salaries and conservation efforts, evading tickets could lead to poor management and negative environmental impacts.
“Saving” can show up in many ways, and it’s not always easy to judge what’s right or wrong. But we hope everyone will think long-term before deciding how to act.