First multi-night backpacking trip. . .

[Salamander42]

Hello all! After several years of backpacking, I'm FINALLY getting out for more than a single night! I'm heading down to the Charles C. Deam wilderness area in Hoosier National Forrest on Friday, and I'll be out 'till Monday. I'm very very excited. I don't have any kind of set-in-stone plan for where exactly I'll be from day to day, but I plan on checking in with my girlfriend at least once a day via cell phone to let her know what my plans for the day are. I'm trying not to take much more than I normally take on my single night trips. . . other than food, obviously. I'm packing some extra clothing (above and beyond the extras I usually pack), and some toiletries that I usually just do without for those quick overnights. Any one have any other recommendations for things that I may want to do a bit differently on a three night trip as opposed to a one night trip? I'm guessing that things will be essentially the same other than the amount of consumables that I'll consume, but I thought I'd check that assumption against the wisdom and experience of everyone here. Thanks in advance!

Hopefully I'll have some pics to share on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

 

[Mentor]

Sounds like a fun outing. Have a blast!

In terms of recommendations, I would think carefully before packing much in the way of extra clothing. A shirt can withstand a few days of use when you're in the woods! Other than that, you might want to throw a few extra band-aids / bandages and something like polysporin in your first aid kit, just to take care of any blisters or scrapes that might develop during a three-day hike.

Again, have fun, and take lots of pics.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Skimo]

if you get stinky easily take a small ziplock with some baby wipes to ... wash where you get stinky. also works great if you get a case of the sticky poo poo.... if ya know what I mean.

you can make your own wet wipes, Google has generously lent the following four links
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/609/Home_made_Wet_Wipes61236.shtml
http://www.mainstreetmom.com/budg/wipes.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_2101388_homemade-baby-wipes-wet-wipes.html
http://goofyj.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/home-made-wet-wipes-and-other-random-stuff/

I bring this up because IF you are near a water source you have a washcloth and soap mixture ready and easily disposable by fire or by drying and saving for tinder or to toss in the pack.

the above recipes can be altered with other soaps for more cleaning potential.

there's also http://www.luckyvitamin.com/item/it...3517&utm_campaign=googlebase&site=google_base and other soaps if you don't feel like lugging around wipes.

Camping is always more fun after a wash in a river/creek in the morning, YMMV

 

[batosai117]

Sounds like a ton of fun :thumbup:

Back in my Boy scout and Venture scouting days, we did two very long backpacking trips and on those trips, we would take bare minimum for clothes, but I would suggest a bandana - makes a great napkin, kleenex, etc...and don't forget Mole Skin, that stuff saved several lives on my backpacking crew, myself included

Make sure to keep water on your mind, and have fun

 

[fishiker]

A good paperback book is worth the extra weight to me. There’s nothing like sipping coffee by a campfire early in the morning.

 

[kgd]

As others have said, you don't need cloths for everyday, just bring undies/socks (boxers fold better than briefs - but that is a personal decision). The extra shirt and pants should be looked as emergency ones in case you get wet or like one of the regulars on here - accidentally light your pants on fire If you think of it this way - packable shirt and pants i.e. the nylon ones are the way to go.

 

[TAH]

Charles C. Deam wilderness area in Hoosier National Forrest.......Any one have any other recommendations for things that I may want to do a bit differently on a three night trip as opposed to a one night trip?

Deam is a great place. I go there all the time. However, this weekend, I will be backpacking at Red River Gorge, Kentucky for three nights.

Any recommendations? Take your girlfriend.

Happy trails! :thumbup:

 

[fujita yuji]

I'm jealous as I have to stay home this weekend

looking forward to see pics.
have a happy outing.

 

[mikeal]

+1 on baby wipes. A wipe a day keeps monkey butt away!

+1 on mole skin

I like gold bond powder for my feet and crotch

+1 on bandanna (1001 uses!)

I also like to sleep in a different set of clothes. I usually bring a cotton t shirt and a pair of old running shorts.

The last time that I was out for a week, I only had one set of clothes. I washed them in a gallon ziplock bag.

 

[hollowdweller]

As others have said, you don't need cloths for everyday, just bring undies/socks (boxers fold better than briefs - but that is a personal decision). The extra shirt and pants should be looked as emergency ones in case you get wet or like one of the regulars on here - accidentally light your pants on fire If you think of it this way - packable shirt and pants i.e. the nylon ones are the way to go.

I usually have some really lightweight and quick drying pants and shirt and I wear them every day and then at night if I'm by water I rinse them in the water and may even put some Dr Bronners in the armpits. Then I have a second change of clothes to wear at night. By the morning the other pair is dry enough to wear.

Salamander42,

I know you will have total fun. :thumbup: