Magic mushrooms have the ability to create totally new paradigms of mental cognition. Setting your intention, be it spiritual or social, can be a deeply rewarding experience, especially in the serenity of the outdoors. If you’re ready to pack your day pack and embark upon a safe and rewarding journey, here are five essential tips for hiking on mushrooms.
1 – Pack the hiking essentials
First and foremost, you should pack what you typically need for a day hike. Many packing items are both weather and excursion-type dependent. For example, pack warmer clothes or a rain jacket if they seem necessary according to forecasts (the last thing you want is to be cold or wet!). Pack nutritious snacks to restore energy at the top of every hour or so, but also pack a filling lunch if you plan on being out for longer than four hours. Before you head out, make sure you have the gear to take care of your essential needs. Check out the following list for a full collection of suggested items.
2 – Have someone in the know
Whether you’re hiking solo or with a group, a critical rule for any kind of outdoor psychedelic adventure is to let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back. If you’re hiking in a group, you may want to designate one person to be the ‘trip sitter.’ The sitter should be a seasoned tripper and should remain sober so they can act as an anchor throughout the entirety of the experience. If you’re heading out on your own, tell a friend you can trust where you’re going, what your plans are, and what time you should be back. Make sure you have cell phone reception on the trail so you can communicate with your home base if necessary. This helps ensure safety in even the most unexpected circumstances.
3 – Prep your Dose, Set and Setting
To ensure the best experience, you should establish and understand the agenda of your trip. Feel confident in your dosage, know how long the effects will last, and set a plan for your hiking excursion. Check weather forecasts and ensure what you’re bringing is everything you need to be comfortable. Create some type of plan that includes a destination, or at least an idea of what the day’s activities will look like. Ideally, it’s best to go somewhere familiar such as a trail you’ve hiked in the past. Going somewhere you’ve already experienced allows you to better expect and anticipate your adventure. If your plans only include frolicking and gallivanting through nature’s playground without any clear objective, that’s fine too! However, setting some concrete plans will help keep you and the group grounded throughout the entire journey.
4 – Bring everything you need to be comfortable
In addition to packing the hiking essentials, don’t forget to bring some extra items that will lead to a more comfortable experience. Bringing a cozy hammock to lie in and watch the clouds, a favorite food to indulge in, or a favorite music playlist can add an extra peaceful layer of ambiance. Taking along a few of your favorite comforts never fails to add an extra level of jolliness to your trip. Some of my favorite items to bring along include earbuds (for music), snacks (especially sweets and fruit), replenishing drinks like Gatorade, watercolors or a sketch book, and a hacky sack or something to toss around with friends. And if you plan to stop and chill out for a while, be sure to bring a blanket to spread out and lie down on for maximum leisure.
5 – When stopping to smell the flowers, remember where the trail is
Along your journey you may spot a funny shaped rock in the distance, or collection of beautiful flowers that you want to check out. But leaving the path can create a domino effect of getting further and further away from familiar territory. The allure of nature, in combination with a psychedelic, can draw you in faster than you think. If you wander too far afield, you may get lost and be unable to find the trail. It’s also worth mentioning that trail builders intentionally build paths to protect the surrounding natural environment, so staying on the path is always a good idea. However, If you want to meander off trail to enjoy the sights, always keep in mind how to return to the trail.
Extra Tip – Have Fun!
John Muir, famous mountaineer and outdoor survivalist, said it best, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.” Escaping into nature with a pocket full of mushrooms acts as a powerful vehicle to discovering the good tidings Muir spoke of. From awe-inspiring rolling mountains, trees that breathe through gusts of wind, and verdant plains filled with vibrant wildflowers, the great outdoors is unquestionably one of the best environments for hiking on mushrooms. The solitude of nature’s wilderness provides the perfect path for cleansing one’s spirit and finding the profound peace encompassing the universe.
For a real life example of what tripping with a group looks like, or what to do vs. what not to do, check out this video.
Do you have any tips or favorite spots for hiking on mushrooms? If so leave a comment and let us know!
