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Post by tkrick27 on Nov 16, 2015 6:27:25 GMT -8
Good morning,
My name is Travis and I'm from Red Bud, IL (near St. Louis, MO) and I am brand new to all of this. I've always loved being outdoors, and the few times I've hiked, I've loved it. My problem has always been finding people that were interested in doing it too. My wife is willing, but I'm not sure how dedicated to it she will be until I get her out more. She knows I tend to go through phases of stuff I'm interested in, but I don't want this to be a phase. We have two kids, and I want this to be something we can do as a family some day. I know I need to start small and work my way up to longer/overnight trips, but I also have a hard time buying equipment more than once. I'd almost prefer to buy equipment for a three day/weekend trip and have to deal with slightly oversized equipment on short hikes, but I'm open to suggestions. St. Louis doesn't exactly have a ton to offer to backpackers, but I'm doing the research to find some good starter hikes for the spring. The wife and I are also taking a Backpacking Basics class at REI in St. Louis next month, so I figure I'll learn quite a bit there also.
I'm also working on a trip for 2017 to Yellowstone(4 days) and Colorado(5days) without the kids. We most likely won't hike every day of that trip, but if the wife enjoys our 2016 hikes, then things may change. As for this forum, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible before spring comes. Figuring out equipment is going to be a big part of these first 4-6 months. I also want to figure out some short trips for 2016 as a launching point for the 2017 trip. Gatlinburg, TN will probably be one of those trips, as I have a friend who went recently and talked about how amazing it was.
I look forward to talking with all of you, and hope that I can add to the forum as well.
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Nov 16, 2015 6:33:32 GMT -8
Looks like you're off to a good start. Look for opportunities to walk in a park or the neighborhood. Try wearing a day-pack with some weight as you walk. I ride a bicycle a lot because it tends to exercise the same muscles and targets similar systems such as heart, lungs and legs. Look for local hiking clubs.
Oh, and welcome. We're glad you're here.
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jay
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Post by jay on Nov 16, 2015 6:37:40 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum.
I have personally received a lot of good advice here, there are some good people on this board and a wealth of information to be had.
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Post by ashepabst on Nov 16, 2015 6:38:21 GMT -8
good morning. don't forget about the Ozarks
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Post by trinity on Nov 16, 2015 6:55:46 GMT -8
Welcome! Sounds to me like you're taking exactly the right approach to getting into backpacking. I look forward to reading reports of your future trips.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2015 7:26:20 GMT -8
The wife and I are also taking a Backpacking Basics class at REI in St. Louis next month, so I figure I'll learn quite a bit there also. Welcome. Hope to see you around. The REI class could be a good introduction. Hopefully it is a week's worth of classes. REI also several webpages with "How To" information if you'd like to go to class with some background ideas. And don't hesitate to ask some basic questions here. I personally think it is good for the forums to revisit those questions from time to time. We can benefit as well as you. Stick around and enjoy the adventure.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Nov 16, 2015 7:30:41 GMT -8
Howdy!
Personally, I think it's wise to learn the ropes before getting your wife and family involved. A lot of lessons are learned through the school of hard knocks, and it's best to learn those yourself.
As far as gear, Instead of looking at "how much do I need?" approach it from the perspective of "what can I do without?"
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Post by Lonewolf on Nov 16, 2015 19:23:33 GMT -8
One thing you'll want to do is do at least one night in your backyard or somewhere next to your car without heading inside for anything (eh... maybe the bathroom if your neighbors are watching). Cook, clean up, sleep, etc no matter what the weather does. This lets you get an idea of what it's like while giving you the option of bailing if things really get bad. But don't because you can't when miles into the wilderness.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Nov 16, 2015 19:52:09 GMT -8
Welcome to the Forum! One thing you'll want to do is do at least one night in your backyard Pilots have a pre-flight checklist for a reason. Practicing with gear and your processes is a good idea. My daughter and I still go on innocuous hikes to try out gear, food etc. I am a proponent of the 5 P's. Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Incidentally, when we received our latest tent, it was backyard tested in advance prior to taking it to the field.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Nov 17, 2015 5:54:47 GMT -8
I'd almost prefer to buy equipment for a three day/weekend trip and have to deal with slightly oversized equipment on short hikes, but I'm open to suggestions. The funny thing is that the equipment you buy for long trips is more likely to be undersized for what one would bring on one-night or car-camping trips.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 17, 2015 21:47:15 GMT -8
Personally, I think it's wise to learn the ropes before getting your wife and family involved. A lot of lessons are learned through the school of hard knocks, and it's best to learn those yourself. I'm not sure I agree. Some benign state park type camping with the family isn't going to get anyone in trouble, and the kids will love it if they figure out things you can't (I'm thinking of a friend who borrowed a bunch of our gear to go camping. I think it was the second trip when her kids pointed out to her how the self-inflating pads actually work. She just figured you're supposed to be uncomfortable). KISS is a good way to plan it so that the knocks don't come too hard. One thing you'll want to do is do at least one night in your backyard or somewhere next to your car without heading inside for anything (eh... maybe the bathroom if your neighbors are watching). Cook, clean up, sleep, etc no matter what the weather does. This lets you get an idea of what it's like while giving you the option of bailing if things really get bad. That's one approach, but I don't think you really get the feel unless you leave home. I still say the state or county park--even a commercial campground if you're nervous--is a better way to get the feel of things. Of course, I DO recommend practicing setting up the tent at home before you go. Get the whole family involved in that one; the kids will love it. Backpacking gear and car-camping gear are often pretty different, but of course you can car-camp with backpacking gear. Doing it the other way is tougher, though that's pretty much what we did on the couple of pack trips we took when my brothers and I were kids.
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Post by tkrick27 on Nov 19, 2015 5:58:55 GMT -8
We have gone camping before at a county lake/park/campground, but not with the much smaller backpacking tents/etc. It was with a large amount of stuff(half the house) packed in the back of a Jeep Cherokee, so not quite the backpacking experience. We will definitely hit up the same location once I have the equipment necessary for a backpacking trip.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 19, 2015 8:10:06 GMT -8
Ah--good. I do think that, despite the everything-but-the-Barcalounger approach of car-camping, experience doing that is a good start. You know how to sleep on the ground (maybe--maybe you took cots ) and cook outdoors, even if on a fancier stove. Going to the campground with the backpacking gear and trying it out that way would be an easy next step.
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Post by Kevin Palmer on Nov 19, 2015 14:42:02 GMT -8
Welcome. It's true that Illinois isn't a hotspot for backpacking. But there are more options if you live in the southern part of the state compared to the north. There are some good trails in the Shawnee National Forest especially near Garden of the Gods. In Missouri there's the Ozark Trail for longer trips. Bell Mountain or Buford Mountain are great places for overnighters. In central Illinois there's Sand Ridge State Forest that has many miles of trails and plenty of campsites. Siloam Springs State Park also allows backpacking.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 20, 2015 5:38:06 GMT -8
I also have a hard time buying equipment more than once. It won't take long to get over that. The backpacking basics class should be great. I always thought Garden of the Gods in southern IL sounded cool. You'll have to learn to deal with the poison ivy hiking in MO. If I was you, I'd drive to CO several times a year - that's real backpacking. Backpacking is a healthy obsession - hope you love it.
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