First Time Overnighter, Need some Advice.

I'm not impressed at all with the quality control of Ontario. For the money they can't be beat. There is a reason for that. I steer clear of all their products after two knives coming to me and getting sent back immediately. There are good choppers out there that are worth the extra few dollars. Have fun Camping.
 
Just make sure you take an extra two or three pairs of socks. If your feet get wet you don't want to be wakling in soaked socks, it's just not a good idea.
 
Some of the state parks around me have "rustic cabins" for rent. Usually just a small cabin, a couple of bunk beds and a woodstove with an outhouse. Something like this might be a good idea for your first time out if they're available in your area. You could even set up the tent if you wanted to and then always have the option of the comfort and safety of a warm cabin to retreat to if things get dire.

But otherwise wait for spring. As has been said it's not the best of ideas for your first trip to be in the middle of winter in the Catskills. The other option that would be a bit longer of a drive for you guys (and presumably more time off work for your mom) would be to head south instead of north. Virgina or NC maybe?
 
Great stuff here. Im going backpacking, not car-camping. Ill definetely test my stuff out at night. It gets pretty cold here at night, 20-25 degrees.

Im very close to the Delaware Water Gap. About an 45 min to hour drive.

Great stuff about food Robb, fits with my tastes, I eat a lot of meat!

Ok, two layers of insulation under sleeping bag. Definetely doable, already have the equipment.

Im guessing wally world = Wallmart?

I never even thought of South, D'oh! The Delaware water gap is a good idea, its a bit warmer than NJ. Its much closer than the Catskills as well.

I understand that winter for my first overnighter isn't a great idea. Ive been hiking a lot and car camping many times, but that not enough. If feel I need to, I will postpone. In the meanwhile, I also want to learn about sleeping and hiking in the snow.
 
Remember that you can always pull a small sled with your gear if there is snow on the ground. One set of ropes on the front one on the back, you and mom and away you go. This way you can bring more gear and not have to carry it. I say you go for it. Use your head and turn around if you feel it is to much.

It sounds to me that you want the winter camping experience, in the snow. It doesn't sound to me like you want to go trekking into uncharted territory without a map and compass. Just plan the trip. and use the forum as your sounding board as you plan.

Why don't you put together a gear list the way you think it should be and have the forum critique your list. use it as a open discussion. Have fun and be safe.
 
valcas1 said:
Remember that you can always pull a small sled with your gear if there is snow on the ground. One set of ropes on the front one on the back, you and mom and away you go. This way you can bring more gear and not have to carry it. I say you go for it. Use your head and turn around if you feel it is to much.

It sounds to me that you want the winter camping experience, in the snow. It doesn't sound to me like you want to go trekking into uncharted territory without a map and compass. Just plan the trip. and use the forum as your sounding board as you plan.

Why don't you put together a gear list the way you think it should be and have the forum critique your list. use it as a open discussion. Have fun and be safe.
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Exactly what I want, some winter camping/backpacking experience.
Ill post a list... later tonight. Gotta go to work :grumpy:

Great help guys.
 
I am pretty far south of there, in Southwest Tennessee just above the Missisippi-Alabama line and it was 8 degrees here last night. They predict a low of minus 2 degrees Saturday night with snow moving in before this morning. Whenever you get your gear together and the trip planned, carefully watch the weather report!
 
zhangmaster12 said:
Great stuff here. Im going backpacking, not car-camping. Ill definetely test my stuff out at night. It gets pretty cold here at night, 20-25 degrees.

Im very close to the Delaware Water Gap. About an 45 min to hour drive.

Great stuff about food Robb, fits with my tastes, I eat a lot of meat!

Ok, two layers of insulation under sleeping bag. Definetely doable, already have the equipment.

Im guessing wally world = Wallmart?

I never even thought of South, D'oh! The Delaware water gap is a good idea, its a bit warmer than NJ. Its much closer than the Catskills as well.

I understand that winter for my first overnighter isn't a great idea. Ive been hiking a lot and car camping many times, but that not enough. If feel I need to, I will postpone. In the meanwhile, I also want to learn about sleeping and hiking in the snow.
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It is Worthington State Forest on the Jersey side of the Gap. Moving east you have Stokes state forest, then High Point State Forest. The Appalachian Trail runs right thru all three. Make sure you read the regulations for the forests and trail.

Another nice place is the Thunder Swamp Trail in the Delaware State Forest on the Penn side. Less hills, and good fishing on the Bushkill Creek :cool: I may try some small game hunting with my recurve bow there soon. :thumbup:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/hiking/thunder.aspx

Make sure it's a closed-cell pad under your thermarest. These can be the blue ones from Walmart, and Campmor has many quality ones:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear...state=&priceFilter=&currentPage=&colorFilter=
 
By the way, do you have good boots? You might also want some microspikes or yaktrax to put on your boots to avoid slipping while backpacking. Pretty rocky in our area, and they get slippery in winter.
 
brians said:
By the way, do you have good boots? You might also want some microspikes or yaktrax to put on your boots to avoid slipping while backpacking. Pretty rocky in our area, and they get slippery in winter.
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Yea, I've got some Columbia boots. Ive used them to hike in the winter and they are fine. Real comfortable. I was thinking of getting yaktrax.

Thanks for those tips! Ill add some more later or tomorrow.

Thanks Ratta for that PM. That looks like a good sleeping bag. Whats the weight? Im not brave enough to go tent-less :D.
 
Water: How Much? It'll be one night, hike up a couple miles, Camp, Sleep, Hike down.
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My last solo overnighter this fall I carried 3 liters of water. One liter was in water bottles for drinking during the hike to and from my campsite. One liter was for supper prep (FD meal and drink) and one liter for breakfast (FD meal and drink), plus cleanup. That was approximately a 12 mile hike with temps in the mid sixties during the day and low 40's at night. There were no water sources enroute and no snow to melt. I usually don't carry this much at a time and wouldn't have then if there had been a water source at or near my destination. Water is heavy. About 8.3454 pounds per U.S. gallon. Two gallons is a bit more than 16 1/2 pounds. A liter of water is 2.204684 pounds. So my three liters weighed a bit more than 6 1/2 pounds (plus the containers).

(I think I have my conversions right. Folks who live with metrics, please correct me if I am wrong)
 
OK. Packing List so far:

Equipment:

x2=One per person

Sleeping Bag x2 (Still to decide)
Tent (Still to decide)
Thermarest x2
Foam Pad x2
Gallon of Water + Quart x2 (1 per person)
Lightweight MSR Cook set. Will take out certain parts that are unnecessary
TP

Fire:
Coleman Fire starters
Petro-Jelly cotton balls
Bic/Zippo
Waterproof matches
Firesteel

Clothes: (not including those on body)
Extra pair of wool socks. x2
Extra Pair of Pants+Long sleeve shirt x2
Extra pair long underwear x2

Food:
Need some help here.
Beef Jerky
Some Canned Meats
Granola Trailmix/Cereal/Oatmeal
How do I bring fresh meats or is this a bad idea?
How about those Mountain House products?
Chlorine water purification tablets
Energy Bar x2

Misc:
Camera, Video Camera
Fenix LD20
BK-9 + BK-13
Warthorn
Dogfather
(I know I dont need that many knives, but hey, I want to try them out.)
Fallkniven DC4
Cheap Multitool
Parachord
Saw

Might get a Medium or Large Alice-Pack. Recommendations for dealers? I Dont have any surplus stores around me.

Clothes on Person (Pretty much same or me and my mom):
Long Undies + Ski Pants
Boots + Yaktrax
Wool Socks
Under-Armour (Tee shirt too?)
Fleece Sweatshirt
Northface Ski-jacket. I wore this thing in China when it was like 15 degrees out. It was in the villages, no heating anywhere, including inside houses. Same temp in and out, just no wind inside the Mud/Concrete houses. Stayed there for 9 days.

My mom's a beast ( in a good way). She can run a 3/4-marathon no problem. Probably better hiking shape than me. No worries.
 
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Food:
Need some help here.
Beef Jerky
Some Canned Meats
Granola Trailmix/Cereal/Oatmeal
How do I bring fresh meats or is this a bad idea?
How about those Mountain House products?
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On such a short trip, I wouldn't carry canned goods that might freeze into bricks. Fresh meats? Some bacon would be fine for breakfast. Might have to wrap the slices individually in wax paper to keep them from freezing into a solid mass. Freeze dried foods would be the best, in my opinion, though certainly not the cheapest way to go. They cost from five to eight dollars each. Wal-Mart (Wally world) stocks a short selection here. Campmor has a wide selection. But you only need a few meals, so it shouldn't be a big expense.

Trail mix or other snacks to keep up your energy are a good idea. I buy a bag of that at Wal-mart also and add some things of my own like M&Ms, Craisins, pecans and blueberries (dried). Jerky is good, high protien, but remember thatyou rehydrate it in your mouth and stomach. Drink plenty of water.

Oatmeal for breakfast? Sure. Instant oatmeal is great. Two packs per person with a tad of butter will get you fueled up in the morning. Maybe some instant hot chocolate or apple cider. I like my coffee too.
 
Codger_64 said:
On such a short trip, I wouldn't carry canned goods that might freeze into bricks. Fresh meats? Some bacon would be fine for breakfast. Might have to wrap the slices individually in wax paper to keep them from freezing into a solid mass. Freeze dried foods would be the best, in my opinion, though certainly not the cheapest way to go. They cost from five to eight dollars each. Wal-Mart (Wally world) stocks a short selection here. Campmor has a wide selection. But you only need a few meals, so it shouldn't be a big expense.

Trail mix or other snacks to keep up your energy are a good idea. I buy a bag of that at Wal-mart also and add some things of my own like M&Ms, Craisins, pecans and blueberries (dried). Jerky is good, high protien, but remember thatyou rehydrate it in your mouth and stomach. Drink plenty of water.

Oatmeal for breakfast? Sure. Instant oatmeal is great. Two packs per person with a tad of butter will get you fueled up in the morning. Maybe some instant hot chocolate or apple cider. I like my coffee too.
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Ok, scratch canned meats and add BACON! Freeze dried will come along too. Luckily we have Costco. Cheapest place for these things.

Where should I store the food for the night? In the tent, up in a tree, just on the ground?
 
That info is local specific and I am not familiar with your area. Some places you should bear bag it in a tree away from camp. Some places you can keep it in your pack in the tent. Only your water should be a freeze concern.

The great things about modern freeze dried (besides the light weight - you make that up with the weight of the water you carry) is that it only requires boiling water, rehydrates in the bag, and minimum trash and cleanup.
 
This is NOT an insult.
The poster is a perfect example of why the Scouts are such an important part of a kids life.
ESPECIALLY city folk.

My suggestion is car camping a few times to get the hang of things.
Do it, at first, when the weather is good and then plan on doing it when the weather is going to suck.
If you have to get something out of the car, or go in the car, your choices were a failure. Take a notebook and write down what was missing to keep you comfy in camp.
 
As a general rule A 1st backpacking trip should be in milder weather, when less gear is necissary, but if you are really going to do this you should try to find someone who is more experienced to go with you and help you out.

See if you can tag along on a forum meetup, Or even better, try getting one started, Find a place, and ask if other folks from the area want to come.

I havent gone winter backpacking in years, I am planning this year to go on the WLC (Wilderness Learning Center) Winter campout on MLK Day weekend. I will be going with a well prepared knowledgable group, and have confidence that any pre-trip advise, or help during the trip will be within reach. Members have also offered to loan me gear if needed for the trip. Plus I am sure to pick up skills and gear advise, on the trip, that will make me more able to enjoy future winter trips.
 
Toucan Oasis said:
This is NOT an insult.
The poster is a perfect example of why the Scouts are such an important part of a kids life.
ESPECIALLY city folk.
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Thank you for your insight and help. I will never understand what people hope to gain from comments like these.:thumbdn:

Why not spend your energy trying to help the poster to achieve his goal of an overnight campout in the snow with his mother.

If you think it is that important you should start another thread about the importance of scouting in city folk.

Sorry Zhang, that just touched a nerve for me.
 
As for food, for a short excursion like yours I tend to not bring a whole lot of highspeed dehydrated stuff, I like the real stuff alot more and as long as I don't have to carry it far it's worth it to me.

While you can't deny how nice some hot food is in the winter, often when I'm out I end up just snacking all day on stuff and sometimes don't actually cook the "meals" that I had planned.

It's gonna be cold so you're metabolism is going to be raised trying to keep you warm. You gotta be sure to take in enough calories.

I would try some summer sausage or pepperoni. Jerky is good too, but not as much fat.

Cheese, it will keep just as well in that sort of weather as it does in your fridge, grab a blocks or two of something you like.

Apples are good if you don't have to carry them too far.

Notice the cheese, sausage and apples all allow you to use your knife to eat them. :D

I like flatbread or pita bread as it doesn't get smashed. Bagels have travelled decently for me before as well.

Maybe some peanut butter.

Trail mix with alot of nuts is good. I like to make my own which is just half cashews and half dried cherries. some dark chocolate m & ms might be good in that too, might have to try it next time.

Ramen is cheap and easy to pack and make and a nice hot meal, you can throw whatever you want in with it when you're eating it too.

Instant oatmeal is great, I like to throw a handful of my trail mix into it for some variety.

If you're a coffee drinker, the new Starbucks VIA is an expensive but excellent option. Tastes just like real coffee when you add the small packet into hot water. I bring it on all my trips now. Otherwise hotchocolate packets can be nice if you want something warm at night/in the morning.

Snickers bars/cliff bars/whatever you like are a quick bite if you're on the trail and getting hungry.
 
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