And how did you get started? Are there good places in Alabama to go? How much gear do you actually need? I’ve been looking in to the subject lately and think I would like to pick up the hobby. I’ve been watching videos on YouTube specifically a channel called Sintax77 he goes all over the country and does overnight backpacking style hikes. It looks like a neat way to see the country.

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.

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!

On most of my out of state hunts.....Alaska, Idaho, New Mexico.
As I get older, 53 this year, showers and real beds are becoming
more important. However, if I draw a tag, I'll be sleeping on the
ground again this fall.
How much gear depends on the environment and how comfortable
you want to be. Buy the lightest things you can. The more you do it
the more you will realize what you DONT need.

Stray cat is all over it. Definitely don’t go cheap on certain things like sleeping bag or tent. You want something that will last and won’t leave you wet or cold when you are a long way from the truck.

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.

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.

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.

Ive been wanting to go on an overnight float trip. Float a ways, camp overnight, float a ways further and get out. Just havent done it yet..

I've been all over the place even done the Eiger.

I started out hiking Skyline deer hunting before people had 3-wheelers.

Good Stuff

Thanks for the info. I don’t know that I’ll be able to go any this summer. I’m supposed to be taking 2 classes. I’m thinking about slowly starting to collect some gear like starting with a back pack and then a sleeping pad, tent, etc.. And then I was thinking about taking some day hikes on my days off, I know lake Martin has a few good trails and is close by. That way I can start getting into “hiking” shape. Then hopefully next summer I’ll be graduated and can start taking some overnight trips.

Hammock camping seems like it would be fun but I’m guessing it’s not as practical as a tent since you can set up a tent anywhere and you have to have mosquitoe netting and a tarp set up for hammocks.

I like hiking, and I don't mind carrying a backpack. But I want to hike somewhere where there is a 12" memory foam mattress and an air conditioner waiting for me.

I do a ton of backpacking trips every year. Really got into it about 5 or 6 years ago when I first started travel nursing. I work about half the year out here in California and have gone all over the state. Actually have a 4 day trip planned next week in the Los Padres National Forest outside of Santa Barbara. Haven't done much hiking back home, but I'm normally too busy with deer season when I'm back in AL. I've worked at camping stores and spend a lot of time researching and testing out new gear, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I've gotten more into ultralight backpacking the last couple years, which keeps my pack weight down to around 10 pounds before food and water. Makes a big difference on my knees climbing up mountains haha.

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.

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.

Straycat covered it pretty well. I would keep the first overnight fairly tame so as to get a good feel for your gear. The ultralight setups are a bit minimalist for me, think my version of ultralight is around 40-45 pounds with food and water. Tent vs hammock is personal preference, I used to hammock but for me I sleep better in a tent especially in the cold.

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.

Sounds like we have the exact same gear Although a lot of that is pretty standard. When we switched from doing over night trips to longer trips with more people, we switched out the Pocket Rocket for a Whisperlight.

Something I'd add as top priority is your boots/socks. Your feet are pretty important when you a few days in...

Another thing to consider. I was once younger and tougher. Depending on how you tolerate certain things. Weight and comfort being the two in question hiking.

Don't rule out Military Surplus. You can get an ILBE ruck. Things like that. Weight is the issue for extended hikes but Uncle Sam never cared so it can be done with reasonable comfort at low low prices. It is just not what you want if you want "nice" stuff. But it is heavy duty and lasts. I've humped an ILBE further than most. It can be done.

You have so many options on hiking around here it is incredible. The best advice I can give is to find some others that want to hike or like to hike and hit the trails. Lots of trails in Alabama. Check Outdoor Alabama. Probably take a while to just hike some of those... and when you get done you can hit the Smokey Mtns.... also (closer) you can ride over to North GA and I would think about doing short sections of the Appalachian trail i.e. Winding Stair Gap.

Start out day hiking and work your way into overnight.

I keep hearing REI is going to put a store in at the Summit in B'ham. If so... game one. The sale rack is your friend.

When you are ready to do the Matterhorn I'm in. Haven't done that one yet.

My next trip is the Pinhoti from end to end. Have only done short sections a couple days here and there.

Solid advice

The whole Pinhoti or just the Alabama section?

I am a big guy 6'1 250 that had had multiple knee surgeries. My perspective maybe different than the standard backpacker.
1) Your footwear. Buy one size larger and do not buy online. You need to try on any type of boots or trail runners. Trust me. Spend the extra $20-40 bucks and find a shoe that does not give you hot spots and provides a solid foundation.

2) Your pack. Again another area I would not skip. Go to a store and try on a framed pack (external or internal) or frameless. Also, you need to find the right size to your torso length and not your height. Put weights in the pack when you are trying on.
2a)You also need to determine entry points into the pack. It is a pain to have to unpack a large pack to get something you want because there is only a top entry point and little to no external pockets. I also don’t like to hang stuff off my pack. Had to backtrack once cause my sleeping pad fell off my pack.
2b) I have an osprey 75l hauler. It has a waist belt that molds to your hips (the store puts in an oven and conforms to your hip bones). It also has an arched frame so air can get between the pack and your back. I hate being hot. Look for adjustment straps to change how pack sits on you.
2c) Today I would find an Aarn backpack dealer and try one. Their balance system and framework makes for a pack that (I have heard) very comfortable and not as constricting.

3) Tents. You have to decide what time of year you will be camping. For me is it spring and fall. I wanted a tent with a lot of mesh as I rather be cold than hot. If you a solo, I would recommend a 2 man tent. It gives you a tad more room for rainy days and you want to hangout vs tromp in the rain. Plus I like having my pack in the tent vs leaving outside. Eureka is the brand tent I chose when weight vs cost.
4) Hammocks. Once I tried a hammock, I never went back. My knees hurt if I am lying like a banana. I chose a “Bridge Hammock” These guys were one of the first http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/bear-mountain-bridge-hammock/. You lay dead flat. Do a search on Youtube and you will find many more manufactures since. I made mine hammock and rain fly as I am a cheap skate and can operate a sewing machine. I also prefer a sleeve on the bottom of the hammock for a sleeping pad.
4a) Rain fly, if you go the hammock route, you will need a something over your head. Go big.
4b)Hammocks get colder than a tent. The ground provides warmth to tent camping. You will need a under quilt. In addition to a sleeping back. In a nut shell you compress a sleeping bag in a hammock losing r value, and not ground to keep you warm.

5) Sleeping pad. Buy a Big Agnes insulated sleeping pad. When you slide in the bottom of the hammock, it reduces the shoulder squeeze……aka it spreads out the bottom, and if you cant find any trees you have something to sleep on top of on the ground. Again, buy insulated.

6) Sleeping bag. Down packs very small. If it gets wet you lose insulation big time. Expensive. Synthetic is cheaper and still insulates when wet. Doesnt pack down worth a crap I love my montbell bag. It have elastic shell to comform to your body snuggly to keep you warmer and I can Captain Morgan my leg (with in limits) if I want to stretch out.

7) Buy a decent compass. Liquid filled. Do not rely on anything electronic.

8) Water is heavy, plan on refilling vs packing water. Again Youtube will explain all the options, tablets, pumps, straws, hang bags etc.

9) It is not a fashion show. It is ok to wear the same clothes for several days, Change your drawers and socks every day. Much more is just more weight.

10) Always plan your trip and tell at least two people your route plan.

11) Never buy anything that is not on sale. Unfortunately you are entering into camping time, but do your research. Campmor, Serria trading post, are decent sites. Dont forget coupon codes.

12) If you are taking a small child, never, ever, set up camp at night. Way to scary. Always pack an extra flashlight.

Hope this helps.

^^^^This^^^

Just the Alabama Section...hard right now to take off more time. Hard to keep up the pace to do 20 miles a day....so 171 miles in Alabama would be a 2 week trip (14 days) and that would be with me training for it and then pushing every day. 25 years ago that wouldn't be a bid deal. Today, well...it is. Doing AL and GA is 339 miles...so I'd have to not work for many weeks and that isn't happening any time soon.

And for the one who enjoy my cheeseburger and food posts....Yes I would definitely train for this and be able to accomplish it. I did 5 weeks of the AT after college...still regret not doing a thru hike when I was young and free.

The difficult thing about me doing something like a 14 day hike, is it would seem to be difficult to bring that much beer without at least an F150 4x4 chase vehicle.

Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee sour mash in a plastic Gatorade bottle is much more efficient...just sayn'

Synthetic wool. I can wear it for days with little to no odor. I put on synthetic layers and I smell like a hog pen in 12 hours.

I tried a quilt. I went back to my 20 degree bag. I can put on base layers if it's colder.

Don't go cheap on your footwear. I used to run up 14K mountains in running shoes, now I would never dream of that. Get some good stiff mountain boots. Cry once.

Tents, everyone has their preference. I ran a tarp with paracord. Worked well.

I never take enough food. But there's something raw about being hungry. Makes the trip that much more invigorating. Pig out when you get back.

Sometimes a pack rod can add a bit of protein to your backpacking diet.

Well I was gifted an older US army 65 Liter back pack along with a 4 piece military sleep system. Not sure I’ll use the whole sleep system but the back pack was a nice gift and the sleeping bag in the sleeping system is nice. And it all folds into a stuff sack. The back pack is awesome and was a very generous gift.

I’m also working on making a home made first aid kit.
So far in my first aid kit I’ve got
Hibiclense
Saline solution
2 packs of 4x4 sterile gauze
An assortment of band aides
4 4x4 non stick bandages
A few rolls of gauze bandages
Tape
-ibuprofen
Benadryl
Tylenol
And a small pair of trauma shears

I’m thinking My next goal
Is to acquire a cook kit, water filtration, and eventually a shelter

I do think I’m going to spend money on water bottles yet. I’ll probably start out just carrying used plastic bottles like the smart water bottles

Thrift stores and yard sales are awesome for the cook stuff. I found my aluminum kettle, mugs and other stuff for less then 5 bucks. I've seen whole mess kits more than once. My MSI Iso-butane stove came from a yard sale and had been used once.

I have a Katadyn water filter but for weekend trips and what not you can get by with Iodine tablets and use powder drink mix to cover the taste.

The pinhoti is tough. This is coming from a flat lander as I have been called up there. Talladega mountain is my playground but after a few days of walking around up there my knees can't take anymore.

I did enough of that schit in the military.
I can afford a roof these days.

x2

Check out Hazel Creek in NC.

I would consider adding a SOF or CAT tourniquet to the first aid kit; and learn how to properly utilize it. For the size and weight there's no reason not to have a tourniquet when you may be quite some distance from help.

Well I think I’ve finally got everything I need to get started. Been collecting stuff since I made this post. I’m going to try a few things out this weekend (stove, and setting up my tent) then I need to plan a trip for March or April. Any suggestions on a trip here in Alabama for a first time hiker would be appreciated.

Pinhoti trail or sipsey wilderness.

Same. My idea of camping is Motel 6.

So what I’ve got is
-An old school millitary surplus backpack 65 L
- A 4 piece millitary sleep system but I’m only going to be using the inner sleeping bag and maybe 2nd layer
- A Magellan stove
- A Magellan Kings peak II tent.
- sawyer mini water filter.
- headlamp
-venture out doors Microban sleeping pad 78x25 in.
-Stanley stainless steel cook pot
- some other off brand stainless steel bowl/pot.
- home made first aid kit
-Multi tool

I think I have enough to get started most of this stuff I found cheap or was gifted to me

When I overnight camp I take a canoe. It is the only way to carry all my beer and other stuff I'll need to enjoy camping.

Best way to find out what you need is to get out in the bush.

I'd propose the Sypsey wilderness as others have said. A buddy of mine led me down the creek in kayaks and it was a blast. The waterfalls were frozen and the water was ice blue. We made camp in a sort of cave/ rock hang over deal and it worked well.

The first aid kit should be tailored to the potential issues you deem to be pertinent for the region where you are overnight hiking and any potential threats you might face. I'd definitely consider a combat action tourniquet (CAT) as others have mentioned. I've been looking to add the zipstich adjustable bandage. It would close up a serious laceration. You might consider some quickclot gauze as well.

If you ever want to come out to Colorado let me know. We can set something up. I try to get out to hammock camp as much as possible but now we have a travel trailer so my free time is limited.

Oh yea...using a hammock and tarp for your shelter makes things easy. You don't need flat ground, just two mounting points. You can even customize things for winter, but that does add weight depending on the temps.

might eventually get into hammock camping, but not yet, going to start out slow. My dad and his friends always go some where for their annual "He Man" primitive car camping trip. Wherever they decide to go this weekend I am going with them to try out my tent, stove, and sleeping system.

Fire starter. I use dryer lint most of time.

This is one thing i forgot. I want need it this weekend because they will have fire starter and fire wood. But if I go out hiking some where I would want to build a fire at night.

That sounds fun, I might eventually do that, I figure a flask of bourbon will do if i want a beverage before bed.

That would start getting heavy carrying a flask for every night I'd be gone

Plenty of ways to start fires that don't involve lint collection although it isnt bad. Just kinda basic.

See... I figure maybe pre-provision. Go hide fifths of Wild Turkey at strategic places along the trail. I would give you goals to hike to. but then you have the whole "ice" problem unless you were camping in sub-freezing temps.

Do they make gallon sized flask?

Yes, yes you do. May need a pack mule to carry more than a couple of those bad boys.

These guys pretty much nailed it.
https://rootsrated.com/stories/the-5-best-overnight-hikes-in-alabama

I also reread most of these posts, ensure you add a headlamp to your list. Also a pack of hot hands in your sleeping bag can be nice on a windy night

I was wanting to start backpacking, but ended up with a canoe. I LOVE some canoe camping. I want to do some float trips this year, but all my trips have been in and out trips on back waters of Lake Guntersville.

I really like river trips when picking spots that don't have great "day trip access." I have floated for 3 days and only seen a couple people (per trip). If it is hot I like to stash a vehicle 1/2 way on the trip to resupply any ice, food, or beverages. It also helps if you get in trouble with big storms or flooding.

Backpacking from a base camp along a river is great because you can reach areas most don't venture to on foot. Just locate streams and rivers in NF and especially large wilderness areas and you'll many times hike without ever seeing another human.

Nice setup. We gotta get you a better tarp. That joker will make some noise in the wind.

that looks like a fun time.....I'd like to give that a try sometime myself

Walmart now sells silnylon hammock tarps for $20.

Talladega national Forest is a good place
That also let u check off part of the Appalachian trail

This tarp seemed fairly well made, but is small. I ended up returning the one I bought. It would work as a sunshade or to keep the dew off, but it didn't cover either of my hammocks well enough to be trusted in the rain.

As far as trails, the Cheaha Wilderness has a couple of loop trails with nice spots to camp. We did the Cave Creek loop (about 7.5 miles) the other morning. It's a challenging hike and you could easily make it an overnight if you started late one afternoon. The Skyway Loop is another popular trail that's around 18 miles if you wanted to make it a couple of nights. I'm still gathering enough stuff to overnight without lugging around my car camping equipment.