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Post by mitsmit on Aug 8, 2016 20:05:40 GMT -8
Hey! Looking for someone who can help me learn the ins-and-outs of backpacking--or at least get started. I personally don't know anyone who has done multiday trips. I have been buying gear (for backpacking) and car camping a little this summer and reading a lot about backpacking--I usually talk things over with assoc at REI before purchasing. Planning to buy a pack and do some trails like the Tecumseh and Knobstone next summer. I'm not opposed to hiking alone at all, but I am really hoping to find someone that could help me get a start, plan a trip, and maybe do it with me. Obviously I want to do some more major stuff but would really like to start small and close to home and build up from there.
I've read a lot about food, clothes, miles/day, some about water, mindset.
Some things I'm wondering about:
1. Where do you set up camp when your on a trail like the Knobstone: must get to a campsite most of the time I'm guessing...
2. How does water work, what are the best techniques for purification? How much should I carry at a time? In what--I've read about bladders and I'm not sure they're for me--I currently carry a wide-mouth nalgene 32oz on day hikes.
3. How does pooping work on the trail in remote areas?
4. How should I condition before? i.e. If I'm going to want to walk 10 miles a day--do I need to get myself up to walking 10 mi/ day at home--I'm mainly thinking time: how do I make this work?
5. What other essential gear do I need? I have a jetboil, flaslight/lantern, REI Passage 2 tent and footprint, sleeping bag, small Gerber knife, Therm-a-Rest self-inflating sleeping pad (closed-cell foam), little coffee filter, boots, sandals, socks (I feel like I'm forgetting somethings).
What I think I need still: compass, pack, water filtering system and more water storage, probably a bigger knife--mine is very small that i have, headlamp, rain shell, trowel: for poop?, waterproof matches, stuff sacks for various gear/clothes.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:02:40 GMT -8
I have not hiked the Knobstoe.
I get topo maps of the area I am interested in camping in. I plan for 10 mile days. I explore the region, using something like google earth. I look at the topo maps for 'flat spots' I go to the National Forest web site to garner info. I may buy a guide book to garner ideas of camping spots.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:07:48 GMT -8
The answers to these questions are mostly a personal choice, in relation to your environmant.
I carry a bladder with 2L. I also carry 2 64 ounce squeeze bags as I use a Sawyer water filter. I can use my squeeze bags to carry extra water as needed. I'd suggest 2 32 wide mouth nalgenes. Think 10 essentials and extra water.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:11:57 GMT -8
My wife and I dig holes in the dirt to poop into. We pack out our used TP. We put some Comet cleaner into a gallon zip lock bag, put used TP inot bag and shake to spread around the Comet. Check out the LNT site
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:15:19 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:18:24 GMT -8
I do workout in the gym with weights and I also jog. I found jogging for 5 miles works out well for a being able to do a 10 mile day. If you can get on a threadmill and angle 3 to 15 percent whiles walking with a pack on, do so.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 18:21:31 GMT -8
A suggestion. Right now start thinking lightweight gear.
My gear weight is around 10 pounds.
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 11, 2016 22:06:54 GMT -8
You shouldn't need a bigger knife; most get along fine with the itty bitty swiss army knife.
And don't take those folks at REI too seriously. Most of them have no clue. They just want to upsale you to crap you don't need. Pretty soon your pack will weigh 50 pounds.
edit: waterproof matches? not much point. buy a few mini bic lighters and store them around your pack in baggies.
edit2: ditch the flashlight and lantern and get a headlamp.
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Post by mitsmit on Aug 12, 2016 4:02:39 GMT -8
Ohm & Johntp! Thanks a ton! Really helpful. I appreciate it!
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 12, 2016 4:24:15 GMT -8
Planning to buy a pack and do some trails like the Tecumseh and Knobstone next summer. I know nothing about the Tecumseh but I looked into the Knobstone a few years ago. If I remember correctly it's nice long trail but it's also dry and you'll need to cache water for yourself. If this is still true I'm not sure I'd make this your first hike.
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Post by mitsmit on Aug 12, 2016 4:42:42 GMT -8
Coolkat-- Yes! I've read some KT blogs and the necessity of caching water, but I don't think it would be necessary on Tecumseh. I've camped in an area where Tecumseh passes and there is at least one lake, but I haven't properly read up on Tecumseh yet, so I need to check if the whole trail has reliable water.
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Post by mitsmit on Aug 12, 2016 4:45:58 GMT -8
I carry a bladder with 2L. I also carry 2 64 ounce squeeze bags as I use a Sawyer water filter. I can use my squeeze bags to carry extra water as needed. I'm guessing this is what you use? + your bladder. Then when you want to use the water you're storing in your squeezebags you just squeeze it through the filters into the bladder. I like the double use factor on that... sawyer.com/products/sawyer-64-oz-squeezable-pouch-set-2-2/
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Post by mitsmit on Aug 12, 2016 4:46:25 GMT -8
(sorry just figured out how to quote haha)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2016 5:12:47 GMT -8
Yes, that is pretty much what I use, gives me the ability to carry up to about 6L of water. I have the quick connect modification added to my bladder and filter. With the Quick connect, I can remove connect the squeeze bag directly to the bladder. Most often, I set the squeeze bag higher then the bladder and let gravity do the work as I set up camp or enjoy the scenery. One of our Sawyer Squeeze filters is well into it 6th year of use.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 12, 2016 5:19:53 GMT -8
I just googled the Tecumseh trail and found this description from the Hooiser Hikers Council... But the logistics of backpacking the Tecumseh can sometimes have more challenges. While the Tecumseh Trail tends to offer many opportunities for backcountry (non-potable) water sources, it often has less parking or allowable camping areas than the Knobstone Trail. This can impact the amount of miles necessary to hike in a day, and it is for this reason that all trips should be carefully planned ahead of time.How far are you from Michigan? As a first hike you might wanna look at doing a portion of the NCT in Michigan or the famous MRT-NCT Loop.
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