Well, I did it! I made the transition from those who talk about it to those who just do it. My first backpacking trip was a success. Two days and a night in the Smokies were awesome even though it rained several times. With a 40 pound pack I traveled 11 miles (7 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday), crossed one small river and numerous creeks, and gained over 800 feet in elevation before descending again. Although the rain was not too much fun and I had all I bargained for by the end, it feels great to know that I did it.
I thought that I would offer my lessons learned for the other rookies who are browsing the site. Those of you who have been at this a while will most likely think that these are rather elementary but please chime-in and offer any other bits of wisdom. Guys like me need the help.
Here is my list of what I will do different next time:
- Keep my pack closer to 30 pounds. I discovered that I dont need a lot of the stuff I took with me. For example, the 2 cups of Tang that I flavored my water with after purifying it tasted good but I would rather save 1 or 2 pounds next time. Use unsweetened Kool-Aid and Sweet-N-Low instead. Or, for just one night, leave that stove and fuel at home. I dont need to cook on a warm Spring/Summer night.
- Get a good hiking stick. I had a wooden branch that I found years ago that I had with me on this trip. It has always worked well when climbing or descending steep sections of trail. They are also useful when crossing shallow streams. But my stick met its match when I crossed a creek that was about 50 yards across and mid-thigh deep in places with slippery rocks on the bottom. While I was crossing, I used my stick as a third leg to maintain my balance. Right in the middle, at the deepest point, I put too much weight on my stick and it exploded into 3 pieces and I landed face down in the water. I caught myself with my hands and only my chest got wet but it could have been worse. Actually it was kinda fun a little refreshing and very amusing. I think that I will check into those metal hiking sticks that look like ski poles. Next time I want something sturdier than a stick.
- Choose your terrain carefully. Ive been camping and hiking in the Smokies for years and very little surprises me. But, when you combine the two its different. I can climb 1000 feet in a day when hiking and be OK with it. But strap on a pack and the game changes. Watch you elevation changes and adjust your mileage accordingly. If your going to be doing much climbing (up or down) dont plan on more than 5 miles a day unless youre a young stud and in good shape.
- Take a short breather before crossing any creek even a small one. My legs were much more fatigued that when just hiking. A 60 second rest before crossing a 6 deep 3 foot wide creek gave my legs the rest they needed to assure a sure-footed crossing. Sounds ridiculous if you are just hiking but that pack takes a toll on your legs and this precaution could prevent a tragedy.
- Dont completely trust the hiking guides. I read about the trails I would be on but nowhere did it say that I would spend a couple miles descending a mountain via a creek bed. I have hiked about 1/3 to 1/2 of the trials in the Smokies and this is by far the worst trail Ive been on. I pays to talk to someone who has been there before.
- Get a hydration pak. I have a Platypus and a 2 liter refill and it is awesome. Money very well spent.
- The whole thing is more fun when its not raining. Actually, with a rain suit and a good pack cover, I enjoyed hiking in the rain this time. But I would still prefer sunshine coming thru the forest canopy. It was fun for the experience but I think I will choose better weather next time.
Thats about it. Nothing profound but hopefully it will help someone. Happy trails.
[This message has been edited by DanielL (edited 05-21-2001).]
I thought that I would offer my lessons learned for the other rookies who are browsing the site. Those of you who have been at this a while will most likely think that these are rather elementary but please chime-in and offer any other bits of wisdom. Guys like me need the help.
Here is my list of what I will do different next time:
- Keep my pack closer to 30 pounds. I discovered that I dont need a lot of the stuff I took with me. For example, the 2 cups of Tang that I flavored my water with after purifying it tasted good but I would rather save 1 or 2 pounds next time. Use unsweetened Kool-Aid and Sweet-N-Low instead. Or, for just one night, leave that stove and fuel at home. I dont need to cook on a warm Spring/Summer night.
- Get a good hiking stick. I had a wooden branch that I found years ago that I had with me on this trip. It has always worked well when climbing or descending steep sections of trail. They are also useful when crossing shallow streams. But my stick met its match when I crossed a creek that was about 50 yards across and mid-thigh deep in places with slippery rocks on the bottom. While I was crossing, I used my stick as a third leg to maintain my balance. Right in the middle, at the deepest point, I put too much weight on my stick and it exploded into 3 pieces and I landed face down in the water. I caught myself with my hands and only my chest got wet but it could have been worse. Actually it was kinda fun a little refreshing and very amusing. I think that I will check into those metal hiking sticks that look like ski poles. Next time I want something sturdier than a stick.
- Choose your terrain carefully. Ive been camping and hiking in the Smokies for years and very little surprises me. But, when you combine the two its different. I can climb 1000 feet in a day when hiking and be OK with it. But strap on a pack and the game changes. Watch you elevation changes and adjust your mileage accordingly. If your going to be doing much climbing (up or down) dont plan on more than 5 miles a day unless youre a young stud and in good shape.
- Take a short breather before crossing any creek even a small one. My legs were much more fatigued that when just hiking. A 60 second rest before crossing a 6 deep 3 foot wide creek gave my legs the rest they needed to assure a sure-footed crossing. Sounds ridiculous if you are just hiking but that pack takes a toll on your legs and this precaution could prevent a tragedy.
- Dont completely trust the hiking guides. I read about the trails I would be on but nowhere did it say that I would spend a couple miles descending a mountain via a creek bed. I have hiked about 1/3 to 1/2 of the trials in the Smokies and this is by far the worst trail Ive been on. I pays to talk to someone who has been there before.
- Get a hydration pak. I have a Platypus and a 2 liter refill and it is awesome. Money very well spent.
- The whole thing is more fun when its not raining. Actually, with a rain suit and a good pack cover, I enjoyed hiking in the rain this time. But I would still prefer sunshine coming thru the forest canopy. It was fun for the experience but I think I will choose better weather next time.
Thats about it. Nothing profound but hopefully it will help someone. Happy trails.
[This message has been edited by DanielL (edited 05-21-2001).]
