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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2765904
03/19/19 01:31 PM
03/19/19 01:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120 Chelsea, AL
straycat
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120
Chelsea, AL
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It's been a hot minute since I have, but I've done tons of overnight and extended backpacking trips. For me it started with Scouts as a kid...then my boys and I did many scout trips. After we left Scouts we continued trips. My favorite was a 6 day backpacking and trout fishing trip in the Cranberry Wilderness in West VA.
Gear....it all boils down to how much do you actually want to carry and the weight will make some trips brutal. But the pack is always lighter on the last day. Gear...lightweight, high quality gear that lasts is expensive. But there are good thrifty ways to get dependable gear and manage weight of the pack. Time...time will teach you what you need and what you will actually use. My last trip my pack was 13 pounds lighter than my first trip as an adult. I don't like doing the minimalist gear thing...but have learned to not be a maximus either. Learn how to multi purpose gear. Example: Fleece jacket for a pillow, first aid kit inside a nalgene bottle as your spare water bottle, etc...).
Have to have gear for any extended backpacking trips: A Good backpack that actually fits you and is comfortable. Same with hiking boots/shoes. Sleeping bag that packs small and keeps you warm...technical bag, not Walmart. Sleeping pad Lightweight tent or a hammock system. Water purification or filter system Nalgene type bottles Small backpack stove and gas Small cookset/utensils Headlamp Rain gear/poncho Instant coffee from Africa or Starbucks Via...french press if you don't mind extras. Multitool, paracord, zip ties, wrap bic lighter with ductape roll, first aid kit, compass, fire kit (flint/steel, rod,cotton balls with vasoline,etc...) Food: lightweight, freeze dried, or carry weight and bring regular and eat first do pack lightens quicker.
Alabama has some awesome places, many really good for just a few nights without much planning: Walls of Jericho is my favorite spot, followed by Sipsey Wilderness and then the Pinhoti Trail. Not too far away is Frozen Head up in Tennessee. Several you can just hike in for 1 night...set up base camp, then day hike explore for as many days as you want. Pinhoti is more linear. North Georgia has lots of places too.
USED GEAR: Ebay and other backpacking sites have classifieds where you can get good gear after people try and then upgrade....discounted prices.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.� Samuel Adams
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2765905
03/19/19 01:32 PM
03/19/19 01:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120 Chelsea, AL
straycat
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120
Chelsea, AL
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I've been wanting to go do a couple nights at Walls of Jericho....we should get an Aldeer group together for one weekend before it gets hot!
"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.� Samuel Adams
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766027
03/19/19 03:49 PM
03/19/19 03:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,702 Oregon, Land of Umpqua
Alagator
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,702
Oregon, Land of Umpqua
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I started backpacking in 1983. I was 35 years old, and decided it was time to see the West. As a teacher, I had the luxury of summer vacation, so I signed up for a backpacking course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). They took me on a month-long pack trip in the Beartooth/Absaroka Wilderness area north of Yellowstone. I was hooked --I spent most summers backpacking somewhere in the West, and when I retired I moved to Oregon. Haven't been able to do it the last few years--I'm 70 with a bad heart and an injured back. Still do a lot of truck camping and day hiking. My advice-get a good pack from a reputable dealer like REI or Alabama Outdoors. A good pack salesperson will help you get one that fits your body. They can show you how to rig it so the weight is on the hip-belt, not the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps just keep it upright. The next comfort item is good boots that fit. Tell the salesperson what you plan to do. REI carries good boots and has knowledgeable sales staff. Once you have a pack and some boots, put a 50 pound sack of corn in the pack and start walking the neighborhood. A set of trecking poles will let your arms give you an assist, and will improve stability. Most people have never been more than a day's hike from a road. A backpack will let you access some beautiful places that few have seen. I highly recommend it.
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766035
03/19/19 04:01 PM
03/19/19 04:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,235 Meridianville
DryFire
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,235
Meridianville
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Used to backpack the Pecos Wilderness in NM and the area around Platoro, CO. This was where I learned gold panning is not a way to make a good living. But I did enjoy the remoteness. I doubt (know) my back would not allow me to this anymore.
Last edited by TexasNative; 03/19/19 04:02 PM.
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766046
03/19/19 04:22 PM
03/19/19 04:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,231 Semmes, AL
HippieKiller
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,231
Semmes, AL
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We've been doing a little here and there as a family for about a year (me, wife, daughters ages 10 & 11). We actually drew permits for a 4 day/3 night Grand Canyon hike that we'll tackle over Spring Break next month. Best suggestion I can offer is to echo StrayCat regarding multi-purposing your gear. There should be as few "single use" items as possible in your pack. Also, I prefer tents built for 1 person more than you plan to have (ex: 2 man for solo, 3 man for a couple, etc.) The weight is typically marginal but the added coverage space can be clutch when you get rain in camp.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766069
03/19/19 04:56 PM
03/19/19 04:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,197 B'ham
Goatkiller
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,197
B'ham
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I've been all over the place even done the Eiger.
I started out hiking Skyline deer hunting before people had 3-wheelers.
No government employees were harmed in the making of this mess.
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: jono23]
#2766336
03/19/19 09:39 PM
03/19/19 09:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,462 Central Alabama
MC21
OP
10 point
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OP
10 point
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,462
Central Alabama
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Wish I still did it as much as I used to. Got into it with the Scouts, did plenty of weekend trips around the state and also did a 2ish week trip at Philmont. Continued to do it with my dad and brother. Our favorite trip so far has been backcountry around Yosemite. People love the hammock camping thing, and it's been discussed on here before, I just can't do it. Someone on here offered to make me a hammock but I don't remember who.
Sipsey and other places around the state have great "weekend" or overnight trips to test out gear or just see if it's something you really want to dive into. Yeah I’ve been looking into the Pinhoti Trail specifically skyway loop, and Walls of Jericho as starter overnight hikes. There’s also a lot of overnight hikes around Gatlinburg. Like I said this isn’t something I’m planning on jumping into right away right now. Just something I think would be fun to do.
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766361
03/19/19 10:06 PM
03/19/19 10:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 61 Baldwin County
traumaRN6
spike
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spike
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 61
Baldwin County
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That’s awesome. I’ve read a little on ultra light backpacking. Some of those guys are to extreme but I definitely see the benefits of your pack being under 10 pounds
Yeah some people definitely go overboard with ultralight, but my process was getting the big items down as low as possible and then building off of that. Having lighter gear means you can go faster and more room for beer haha. -Osprey is a good company to look at for backpacks. They aren't the lightest but they have a great warranty and would be a good starting point to see if you really want to get into it. If it turns out you don't like it, you can sell it for close to what you paid. I have a ULA pack that has a little less than 40L capacity and thats my go to for everything from a few days to weeks. Z-packs and Superior wilderness designs are a couple other really popular companies that make great stuff. -Thermarest makes some awesome sleeping pads. The neoair xlite is pretty much the standard for inflatable sleeping pads. Great warranty too. They also make some of the closed-cell foam mats that have been around forever if you are comfortable enough on one. -A lot of people are going away from the traditional sleeping bags and using lightweight down quilts. It's a lot more like sleeping at home and you aren't as confined. Enlightened equipment is a good company, I have their 20 degree quilt and use it for spring and fall out here. I have different quilts for different seasons. -Tents get a lot more complicated. I have a zpacks duplex that weighs about 19 oz and is made out of a fancy material called DCF. It's expensive though, There are tons of companies that make really good tents. Sierra designs, MSR, Big agnes are a couple more companies to look into. These are the most important pieces of gear and then you can add the other stuff to it.
Last edited by traumaRN6; 03/19/19 10:07 PM.
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Re: How many of you do backpacking/overnight hiking?
[Re: MC21]
#2766532
03/20/19 07:56 AM
03/20/19 07:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120 Chelsea, AL
straycat
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 19,120
Chelsea, AL
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This could easily be a 10 page thread as there is a vast amount of information. TraumaRN looks to have tons of experience and has great advice and suggestions.
If I were you, I'd focus on the backpack, tent, sleeping bag + pad, stove, and water purifier as #1 top priorities. Everything else you need you probably already own or can pick up at Walmart or Academy/Bass Pro...but home and traditional camping stuff is heavy but for just your first short adventure you can handle it.
Ask around to borrow things.
I was on a restricted budget for gear always. So I purchased middle grade gear. Kelty backpack, Cabela's lightweight tent (not ultralight), Northface sleeping bag, Themarest pad, MSR pocket rocket stove. Everything else is just regular stuff I already had in my hunting closet or kitchen. It's good gear and has been durable but there are far better brands that are more comfortable, much lighter and better quality...but the price tags are insane. The way my knees are today I'm going to have to invest in lighter gear soon....plus quit overpacking. Hauling too much stuff is normally the #1 culprit by novice backpackers.
My Kelty pack is enormous which invites me to pack way too much. But I like a bigger pack so everything is inside it, not strapped to the outside. Bigger is not always better.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.� Samuel Adams
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