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I know what the forward says. Own it. Compare it to the Third Ed. if you can and draw your own conclusions.
-
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Getting Started....
- Thread starter bladestunner
- Start date
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- Jan 26, 2007
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- 19
You couldn't have it explained it any better. Pretty much sum'd it up for me.
Thanks
If you want to go at least some nice car camping and get started, head up rt8 north up to kent. AT sidetrails are up there and fair size state park with campground, of course i cant remember the name. http://www.friendsctstateparks.org/parks/macedonia_brook.htm
try poking around are here http://www.backpacker.com/
and here http://www.outdoors.org/
there is also a new haven hiking club : http://www.nhhc.info/
Bladestunner, welcome!
If you have been tent camping, like car camping, then you are part of the way there already.
If not, may I suggest when you get your gear ready, try out one of those state parks, but camp in a campground setting, where you have "fall back" equipment, water and food.
Once that goes well, then try packing in, but not too far in, within a short walk to the car. Then slowly head further into the wilderness each time.
It would be a bummer to pack in, your first time, and find you need to get back to your vehicle, for any reason. I am a proponent of easing into it, building confidence and going a little farther each time.
Don't blaze a 20 mile trail with all new gear. Even with expereince, you have to do one or two "shake down" trips.
If you have been tent camping, like car camping, then you are part of the way there already.
If not, may I suggest when you get your gear ready, try out one of those state parks, but camp in a campground setting, where you have "fall back" equipment, water and food.
Once that goes well, then try packing in, but not too far in, within a short walk to the car. Then slowly head further into the wilderness each time.
It would be a bummer to pack in, your first time, and find you need to get back to your vehicle, for any reason. I am a proponent of easing into it, building confidence and going a little farther each time.
Don't blaze a 20 mile trail with all new gear. Even with expereince, you have to do one or two "shake down" trips.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
- Messages
- 19
Thanks, I'll have to check these out. Spring is just around the corner so probably do it when its not so cold out there.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
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- 19
Yup been car camping, but was long ago. I need a refresher. I'm definitely going to start it slow. I would hate to not be able to find my car if things didn't go as I planned.
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 11,135
this is a very informative thread for people begining the experiance that many of us have grown to cherish. It should be a sticky.
I pack my bag pretty much the same as others have said. It works very well this way. (sack,clothes,tent,food) My exterior pockets contain camera,oil, whetstone,extra fire equip, etc.... I also carry a military style pistol belt with a PSK, small fixed blade, and my .45 auto w/ 2 spare mags. Check firearms laws before carrying any firearm anywhere though. My spyderco Manix is always clipt in my pocket. With compass and mag fire starter on a paracord length around my neck. definitly carry at least 3 ways to start a fire, and be proficient at it. Also a first aid kit could save your life. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a boonie hat are great to limit exposure to the sun, as you can get a burn even in winter. ALWAYS HAVE A PSK
IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. I like doug ritters psk from aero medix. Make it small enough to carry on a belt or in your pocket. ALWAYS on your person. There are sevral threads on psk contents here, look into them.
Get yourself a copy of the SAS survival guide and read it. It is small enough to pack with you and has a ton of usefull tips in it. And above all dont forget to take lots of pics to show us!!!!!!!!!!
I pack my bag pretty much the same as others have said. It works very well this way. (sack,clothes,tent,food) My exterior pockets contain camera,oil, whetstone,extra fire equip, etc.... I also carry a military style pistol belt with a PSK, small fixed blade, and my .45 auto w/ 2 spare mags. Check firearms laws before carrying any firearm anywhere though. My spyderco Manix is always clipt in my pocket. With compass and mag fire starter on a paracord length around my neck. definitly carry at least 3 ways to start a fire, and be proficient at it. Also a first aid kit could save your life. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a boonie hat are great to limit exposure to the sun, as you can get a burn even in winter. ALWAYS HAVE A PSK
IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. I like doug ritters psk from aero medix. Make it small enough to carry on a belt or in your pocket. ALWAYS on your person. There are sevral threads on psk contents here, look into them.
Get yourself a copy of the SAS survival guide and read it. It is small enough to pack with you and has a ton of usefull tips in it. And above all dont forget to take lots of pics to show us!!!!!!!!!!
Another thought (or 2).
In my own experience in backpacking (still a newbe, but trying), buy from local store where you have tried everything and can return it. For us West of 91 that means either Trailblazer in New Haven or one of the EMS stores (W. Hartford, Fairfiled).
This means boots, pack, sleeping bag, tent. EMS also rents gear and has offers some classes, which being the stubborn idiot that I am, never took. Everything is lifetime guarantee. Once you know what works for you and what you want, buy the best you can afford. There is usually one guy in the store who has done more stuff than you hope to do.
its a bit a drive for you but a nice place to go for a day hike is sleeping giant park in hamden. Try the blue trail.
In my own experience in backpacking (still a newbe, but trying), buy from local store where you have tried everything and can return it. For us West of 91 that means either Trailblazer in New Haven or one of the EMS stores (W. Hartford, Fairfiled).
This means boots, pack, sleeping bag, tent. EMS also rents gear and has offers some classes, which being the stubborn idiot that I am, never took. Everything is lifetime guarantee. Once you know what works for you and what you want, buy the best you can afford. There is usually one guy in the store who has done more stuff than you hope to do.
its a bit a drive for you but a nice place to go for a day hike is sleeping giant park in hamden. Try the blue trail.
- Joined
- May 3, 2006
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Bladestunner,
Like others have already said, I would recommend taking a series of small steps. This will give you the ability to build your skills and experience as you go, become familiar with your equipment, and not get in over your head. After each step, evaluate your equipment and skills. Adjust accordingly. Repeat each step until you've learned all you can from it and are comfortable to progress to the next level.
Have fun!
--FLIX
Like others have already said, I would recommend taking a series of small steps. This will give you the ability to build your skills and experience as you go, become familiar with your equipment, and not get in over your head. After each step, evaluate your equipment and skills. Adjust accordingly. Repeat each step until you've learned all you can from it and are comfortable to progress to the next level.
- First, set the tent up in the back yard and "camp out" there. It is really important that you know how your gear works before you have to rely on it. Set up the tent, cook on the stove, light the lantern. Better to find out that a part is missing while you are safely at home rather than in the field.
- Second, go car camping at a local campground. Here you can try firestarting skills (inside the firepit).
- Third, Take a couple of day hikes with a fully packed pack. Nothing will help you pare down your gear like having to schlep it around!
- Fourth, take a short backpacking trip with a companion.
- Fifth, take a short solo backpacking trip. Just remember to leave word with someone responsible as to where you are going and when you'll be back.
Have fun!
--FLIX
that thermarest sleeping pad. make sure you avoid the inflatable ones. pop one hole in it, and youre packin useless weight now. http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...NSET&img=/media/708517_2074Lrg.jpg&view=large.
get this one.
For me, this was an alternate in the field as A. it never deflates B. never freezes C. is a dark colour on one side, and a bright colour on another. if in a jam, you can use it as a panel signal. D. it folds up faster than a 'roll up' model, and lastly, its quiet when packing it back up. that was important for us, but im not sure its soo important for you guys though lol.
one last thing, if youre going out to a secluded area, never forget your signals.
Pen flares
Day/night marker (smoke/flare)
Sea dye marker
Signal mirror
VS-17 panel
Whistle
Strobe
get this one.
For me, this was an alternate in the field as A. it never deflates B. never freezes C. is a dark colour on one side, and a bright colour on another. if in a jam, you can use it as a panel signal. D. it folds up faster than a 'roll up' model, and lastly, its quiet when packing it back up. that was important for us, but im not sure its soo important for you guys though lol.
one last thing, if youre going out to a secluded area, never forget your signals.
Pen flares
Day/night marker (smoke/flare)
Sea dye marker
Signal mirror
VS-17 panel
Whistle
Strobe
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- Apr 28, 2002
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- 1,369
Those are VERY nice pads, but I just use the cheapo blue foam.
lambertiana
Gold Member
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- Jul 7, 2000
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- 9,905
And once you follow all of this advice and get started, get in good shape and really take the plunge. I'll be going on an 8-day 84-mile backpacking trip in Kings Canyon National Park this summer, and I have a few spots available on my permit. If you want to find out what it's really about, this trip will let you know if this is the life for you.
I actually like the nice big blow up ones from thermarest, but found out really quickly while using one, that theyre not dependable. I quickly switched back to the old school one i had.
and 84 miles? wow. thats a decent hike there man. that sure is a plunge for a new hiker. Id like to try that though. sounds really fun. how many people are with you? is it like a huge group?
and 84 miles? wow. thats a decent hike there man. that sure is a plunge for a new hiker. Id like to try that though. sounds really fun. how many people are with you? is it like a huge group?
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2005
- Messages
- 36
If you are only carrying the one water bottle, ditch the nalgene and go with aluminum. You can boil water and cook with an aluminum bottle, cant do that with nalgene, and the weight difference isnt an issue.
Dont know about there, but in these parts during the summer, 2 qts of water is the minimum for a day trip.
My day trip kit (when I am car camping with the family) is a maxpedition fatboy that fits the following inside
1. 2qt flexible canteen USGI
2. Compass
3. Safety Blanket
4. Disposable poncho
5. Bug Repellant
6. Signal mirror
7. 50 ft 9/16 tube webbing
8. (2) Kong Carabiners
9. Bandana
10. Carmex
11. Sunscreen
12. Trail mix/ bars
13. Cellphone
14. Kahr Arms CW-9 9mm Pistol
15. Map covering the area I am in
16. Cycolps headlamp
17. AAA batteries
18. Blaze orange Whistle
A garmin Fortrex 101 GPS rides on my left wrist, and a Becker BK7 (has leatherman Spyderco sharpener, and Mag/Striker as well as basic SAC with scissors in the pouch) rides on the right hip.
If I am looking at longer than a daytrip an aluminum bottle goes too as well as a tent and bag (Im getting soft with age)
Dont know about there, but in these parts during the summer, 2 qts of water is the minimum for a day trip.
My day trip kit (when I am car camping with the family) is a maxpedition fatboy that fits the following inside
1. 2qt flexible canteen USGI
2. Compass
3. Safety Blanket
4. Disposable poncho
5. Bug Repellant
6. Signal mirror
7. 50 ft 9/16 tube webbing
8. (2) Kong Carabiners
9. Bandana
10. Carmex
11. Sunscreen
12. Trail mix/ bars
13. Cellphone
14. Kahr Arms CW-9 9mm Pistol
15. Map covering the area I am in
16. Cycolps headlamp
17. AAA batteries
18. Blaze orange Whistle
A garmin Fortrex 101 GPS rides on my left wrist, and a Becker BK7 (has leatherman Spyderco sharpener, and Mag/Striker as well as basic SAC with scissors in the pouch) rides on the right hip.
If I am looking at longer than a daytrip an aluminum bottle goes too as well as a tent and bag (Im getting soft with age)
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/ <-- great site.
campmor.com is a definite favorite of mine for bargain hunting. On lots of items they are usually slightly cheaper than REI. REI does have a bomber return policy, though.
Definitely buy your pack and boots somewhere local where you can try them on. There are no REIs in CT but some in MA if you're willing to drive. Any store that sells packs should have weights you can put in them to simulate different loads. Try on boots until you find a pair you like, then go strap on a loaded pack and walk around the store for 5-10 minutes. Repeat until you've found boots and pack you like.
Important thing for boots - your toes should not contact the front of the boot. On downhill grades, your foot will slide forward in the boot, and if your toes touch the front of the toebox, even a slight impact repeated over miles will give you black toe (toenail gets bruised and falls off). REI has a ramp you can jump up and down on (with your toes pointed down obviously) to test this; if a store has no ramp, kick the toe of the boot against the ground and in general wedge your foot as far down as it will go to make sure there's no contact.
Sleeping bags - definitely mummy if you're going to experience overnight temps lower than 40F. Mummys weigh less and pack smaller than rectangular ones anyways; I wouldn't backpack with a rectangular ever. Down bags pack down tiny and weigh less than synthetics, but if they get wet, there goes your insulation value. Synthetics still insulate even when wet, and cost less.
And here's another vote for the non-inflatable foam pads. They don't have spectacular R-values, so if you're wanting to go out in weather significantly below freezing, they may not be enough. Otherwise I would take them hands-down over inflatables since you don't have to baby them or pack a patch kit.
Second the motion of not using most of the mess kit. Saves weight, space, and time spent cleaning. My cooking equipment, in addition to the stove, consists of one pot, its lid (or just aluminum foil if I'm trying to shave ounces), and one spoon. I might take a thick cotton sock for a potholder if I think I'll need it. I just eat straight out of the pot.
Tents - FULL COVERAGE RAINFLY. There are a lot of el-cheapo tents out there that have partial rainflys, which are basically useless. Even if the rain falls straight down, many of these will shed water directly onto the tent fabric, which will happily wick it inside your tent the instant something touches it on the inside. And backpacking tents aren't known for their roomy interiors. If insects and heavy rain are not issues, you could go with a tarp shelter and groundcloth to save space/weight.
Also, get tent stakes other than the aluminum shepherd's crooks that usually come with the tent. I hate them, they suck, they bend in anything other than perfect moist rock-free soil. I bent a titanium V-stake on its first outing, so no more V-stakes for me. Y-stakes and nail stakes are next on my list.
You need a groundcloth for your tent, to protect its floor. A groundcloth is essentially sacrificial - it takes the brunt of the abrasion from stuff on the ground so your tent floor doesn't have to. So why bother spending $30 on a brand-name groundcloth? Just go buy a painter's plastic dropcloth and cut to fit. Get something reasonably thick. Replace it once it starts showing holes.
If you're going out when the forecast calls for rain, I suggest waterproof/breathable pants and gaiters (just straight waterproof is fine, unless you want to splurge on breathable ones) in addition to the jacket. Anything more than a very light rain, and water will soon be cascading onto your pants from your jacket.
As far as food - lots of carbs and fat. Protein takes a long time to digest, and you use up more water digesting it than carbs/fat. Not saying leave the protein out entirely, just don't make it the majority of your calories. My first backpacking trip, I had stupid insane amounts of beef jerkey, and hardly any carbs/fat. I cannot begin to describe what that felt like after 24 hours... I had eaten all the trail mix and all three power bars, and I was craving *anything* but meat.
There should be websites for national and state parks in your area. It's insanely hard to find maps for free online, but look for two things - 1) 'primitive camping' / 'walk-in campsites', and miles of trails / size of the park. Call promising parks and ask about backpacking, how far the campsites are from the trailheads, etc.
campmor.com is a definite favorite of mine for bargain hunting. On lots of items they are usually slightly cheaper than REI. REI does have a bomber return policy, though.
Definitely buy your pack and boots somewhere local where you can try them on. There are no REIs in CT but some in MA if you're willing to drive. Any store that sells packs should have weights you can put in them to simulate different loads. Try on boots until you find a pair you like, then go strap on a loaded pack and walk around the store for 5-10 minutes. Repeat until you've found boots and pack you like.
Important thing for boots - your toes should not contact the front of the boot. On downhill grades, your foot will slide forward in the boot, and if your toes touch the front of the toebox, even a slight impact repeated over miles will give you black toe (toenail gets bruised and falls off). REI has a ramp you can jump up and down on (with your toes pointed down obviously) to test this; if a store has no ramp, kick the toe of the boot against the ground and in general wedge your foot as far down as it will go to make sure there's no contact.
Sleeping bags - definitely mummy if you're going to experience overnight temps lower than 40F. Mummys weigh less and pack smaller than rectangular ones anyways; I wouldn't backpack with a rectangular ever. Down bags pack down tiny and weigh less than synthetics, but if they get wet, there goes your insulation value. Synthetics still insulate even when wet, and cost less.
And here's another vote for the non-inflatable foam pads. They don't have spectacular R-values, so if you're wanting to go out in weather significantly below freezing, they may not be enough. Otherwise I would take them hands-down over inflatables since you don't have to baby them or pack a patch kit.
Second the motion of not using most of the mess kit. Saves weight, space, and time spent cleaning. My cooking equipment, in addition to the stove, consists of one pot, its lid (or just aluminum foil if I'm trying to shave ounces), and one spoon. I might take a thick cotton sock for a potholder if I think I'll need it. I just eat straight out of the pot.
Tents - FULL COVERAGE RAINFLY. There are a lot of el-cheapo tents out there that have partial rainflys, which are basically useless. Even if the rain falls straight down, many of these will shed water directly onto the tent fabric, which will happily wick it inside your tent the instant something touches it on the inside. And backpacking tents aren't known for their roomy interiors. If insects and heavy rain are not issues, you could go with a tarp shelter and groundcloth to save space/weight.
Also, get tent stakes other than the aluminum shepherd's crooks that usually come with the tent. I hate them, they suck, they bend in anything other than perfect moist rock-free soil. I bent a titanium V-stake on its first outing, so no more V-stakes for me. Y-stakes and nail stakes are next on my list.
You need a groundcloth for your tent, to protect its floor. A groundcloth is essentially sacrificial - it takes the brunt of the abrasion from stuff on the ground so your tent floor doesn't have to. So why bother spending $30 on a brand-name groundcloth? Just go buy a painter's plastic dropcloth and cut to fit. Get something reasonably thick. Replace it once it starts showing holes.
If you're going out when the forecast calls for rain, I suggest waterproof/breathable pants and gaiters (just straight waterproof is fine, unless you want to splurge on breathable ones) in addition to the jacket. Anything more than a very light rain, and water will soon be cascading onto your pants from your jacket.
As far as food - lots of carbs and fat. Protein takes a long time to digest, and you use up more water digesting it than carbs/fat. Not saying leave the protein out entirely, just don't make it the majority of your calories. My first backpacking trip, I had stupid insane amounts of beef jerkey, and hardly any carbs/fat. I cannot begin to describe what that felt like after 24 hours... I had eaten all the trail mix and all three power bars, and I was craving *anything* but meat.
There should be websites for national and state parks in your area. It's insanely hard to find maps for free online, but look for two things - 1) 'primitive camping' / 'walk-in campsites', and miles of trails / size of the park. Call promising parks and ask about backpacking, how far the campsites are from the trailheads, etc.
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
- Messages
- 19
Oh yeah will definitely print all these out so that I can study them. A lot more info then I had intended. Thanks again to all that contributed to this thread.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
With respect to kat013, here's a couple of other thoughts.
TENT STAKES
If the ground is soft or you are pegging down in show, the 1/8" diameter stakes (sometimes steel/sometimes aluminum) don't hold well. On the other paw, if you are tenting on the Northern Shield, they can fit in cracks in the rock where larger stakes won't go. SO don't throw away the skinny stakes.
Aluminum gutter spikes (available at "home improvement" stores) are cheap, light, and a big improvement on most stakes that come with the tent.
PADS
Closed-cell foam pads are more bomb-proof. They are also less comfortable and don't insulate as well as self-inflating, foam-filled (ThermoRest-type) pads.
I had a Thermorest spring a leak and I STILL have not found it.
I have one (Thermorest) I have used for over twenty years.
You decide.
GROUND CLOTH
Really good point about why it's on the outside. Not to keep out water but to keep out things that makes holes.
Since the coating that keeps out the water is inside the tent, a piece of plastic to protect the inside from grit driven by the force of your knees will extend the life of the tent - at a weight cost if backpacking. (Another approach is to be fanatical about keeping "dirt" outside and washing out the tent after each use.)
TENT STAKES
If the ground is soft or you are pegging down in show, the 1/8" diameter stakes (sometimes steel/sometimes aluminum) don't hold well. On the other paw, if you are tenting on the Northern Shield, they can fit in cracks in the rock where larger stakes won't go. SO don't throw away the skinny stakes.
Aluminum gutter spikes (available at "home improvement" stores) are cheap, light, and a big improvement on most stakes that come with the tent.
PADS
Closed-cell foam pads are more bomb-proof. They are also less comfortable and don't insulate as well as self-inflating, foam-filled (ThermoRest-type) pads.
I had a Thermorest spring a leak and I STILL have not found it.
I have one (Thermorest) I have used for over twenty years.
You decide.
GROUND CLOTH
Really good point about why it's on the outside. Not to keep out water but to keep out things that makes holes.
Since the coating that keeps out the water is inside the tent, a piece of plastic to protect the inside from grit driven by the force of your knees will extend the life of the tent - at a weight cost if backpacking. (Another approach is to be fanatical about keeping "dirt" outside and washing out the tent after each use.)
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 1,760
Glad to help man. Have fun!
yea, im with thomas linton. i do like the inflation types better, but the hit or miss durability of them, makes them a non issue with me. Ill never use one again. tent stakes too. though in my own experiences, it was mostly soft ground ive camped in. so for me, push in/hammer in tent stakes are worthless. i use the british 'twizzlers' theyre orange, and come in two sizes. small and large. they twist in. so not only do yout not have to hammer anything, but these dont pull out as quick. plus, when you do want them out, all ya gotta do is just untwist them. theyre pretty cool for light and medium sized hooches.