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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 22:51:49 GMT -8
Hey yall! My boyfriend and I, both are from NC and live in the triad, have a trip planned for Asheville this October. We need day hiking suggestions for beginners, like kindergarten or toddler style.
We are going for a concert, but have decided to make it a vacation and will be staying for about a week. We absolutely love the mountains and want to do some easy day hiking. When I say we are beginners,I mean that in the simplest and best form. We are two people who are striving to be more healthy and get in better shape. We want to get more into hiking...we don't truly know how far...but we are just two people who love the mountains and want to start out slow and work our way up.
We will be "glamping" instead of camping when we go this fall..it's easier on our budget and the trip we want to have as we decided this trip not long ago. So a full on camping trip is a no go with budget and time to plan. Yes, I understand glamping isn't truly camping, but again we are just dipping our feet in and aren't really concerned with camping gear at this moment as we want to focus on hiking. We plan to do some hiking..want to check out some waterfalls in the Asheville area! I was thinking of us getting a hydration pack and good hiking shoes. Checking out hydration backpacks at places like REI and they are pretty much between $100 to $200 easily. Shoes are a whole other story.
If anyone can help out with any suggestions of what we can possibly do/get for just some simple day hiking. What would be best for us, without breaking the bank. We don't need fancy, but nothing that will easily fall apart. So I'm prepared that we may have to put a bit of money into it, and that is fine, we just don't want to end up paying for a name. Also, any suggestions of what to pack/wear for just simple day hiking. It will be fall in Asheville, so I'm anticipating some chilly evenings/mornings with, hopefully nice days. There is just so much gear it's a bit overwhelming to know where to turn to and what exactly to get.
I thought coming on a forum to talk to regular and seasoned hikers would be the best way to go about drawing a good outline of the few things we need. My list mainly consists of hydration pack..if suggested or just bring water bottles?? Food, what would be good for breakfast before hiking...what type of easy snacks/lunch should we take to get us through?? What type of clothing/shoes would work best??...hiking boots or hiking shoes??
These are may main questions and any other suggestions are much appreciated! Also, if anyone has hiked around Asheville a good deal and know a few good trails that lead to waterfalls or just breathtaking views that us beginners can't pass up, please feel free to suggest because we haven't narrowed down a hiking trail yet either.
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Post by UpperPeninsula on Sept 2, 2016 2:32:32 GMT -8
Hey Yous!'
Well. It sounds like you're in for some serious fun. Personally, I've always enjoyed the hunt for the information you seek as much as the actual following of the instructions.
So start by reading a bunch of old threads here. There are a number of books that these threads refer to that are excellent beginner guides for backpacking (read day hiking).
Enjoy! A lifetime of hiking pleasure is ahead of you!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 2, 2016 7:07:53 GMT -8
First, welcome! I agree about browsing the threads here in the Gear section. You'll find a lot of good discussions of gear for all levels. The question of hydration pack/water bag vs. water bottles is pretty individual. Some of us are thirsty a lot and like to have the drinking tube handy all the time. Others have no problem using a bottle they can access from an outer pocket, or even stopping and taking off the pack for a drink. Nor does it require a special pack to use a water bag. I recommend that you each have a modest day pack, with or without hydration pouch, large enough to carry water (for a hike of 2 or 3 miles, a liter is probably enough, but you may find you want more), a snack, and appropriate layers (I don't know the climate where you are going well enough to say what that would be, but if I were doing a 2-hour hike in the Sierra on a nice day with little chance of rain, I'd carry a rain jacket/wind breaker, a fleece hat or a Buff, and possibly a light thermal layer). I have a 14-liter hydration pack that is perfect for short hikes, and a 26-liter pack that is big enough for all-day hikes, with rain gear and a down jacket and lunch and all. Footwear is an even more individual choice than water bottles  Frankly, for most dayhiking for most people, a pair of running shoes is fine (probably even cheap ones). Moving up from there you can consider trail shoes or low-cut lightweight boots. Either way, pair them with synthetic or Smartwool (or similar) socks that fit well. Clothing: in a damp climate, stay away from cotton, which will get wet and stay wet. I like lightweight synthetic hiking pants--long pants, because I got tired of bugs and plants getting access to my legs. I also hike in long sleeves, for sun protection. Don't forget a good sun hat. Packs or shoes & socks, fit is the key, and can make all the difference between having a great hike and being miserable. You can buy a cheap pack from Target, and it will probably work, but if it doesn't, I'm not sure about returns. BTW, even on a short hike, I carry at least enough of a first-aid kit to patch up a significant cut or scrape. And I never leave home without some kind of food. |
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 2, 2016 7:30:32 GMT -8
Wear some comfortable shoes. They don't have to "hiking" shoes. Cheap Trekking poles are an awesome addition to your arsenal and will make hiking much easier on your shins/legs. I prefer a bladder but a water bottle works. You should probably get a water filter so you can get safe drinking water from streams/lakes. Deet to keep mosquitoes off and Permethrin on your socks/pants if ticks are a concern in your area.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 7:36:13 GMT -8
+1 at rebeccad Consider carrying, in the least, the !0 Essentials. A search on the i-net will yeald a list of 10E items. I use the list as presented in The Freedom of The Hills. |
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bp2go
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Post by bp2go on Sept 2, 2016 7:56:08 GMT -8
if anyone has hiked around Asheville First, welcome to the forum. Next, I was waiting for somebody to mention that there is a section where hikers in your area discuss hikes: the Southern section: bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/board/11/southernAnd along with the info already suggested, note that the very first post here is all about gear: It covers what you need and what to know about selecting it. You will get all sorts of good help. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2016 9:45:44 GMT -8
Welcome to the 'Backpacker' forums.
If it were me, I would skip the hydration bladder at first, and just use bottles. I use lemon juice bottles, cider vinegar bottes, old soda bottles; whatever you can recycle from things you normally use. Can't beat the price!
Instead, I would spend your money on a small number of key items that you may not already have and can't easily substitute for:
rain ponchos
wool socks
sock liners (polypropylene or silk)
compass (orienteering-style; Silva, Suunto, Brunton)
insect repellent and sunblock
I would advise against wearing cotton socks. If you have wool sweaters or pile parkas, those can work very well.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 3, 2016 11:23:52 GMT -8
I would advise against wearing cotton socks. I would put it a lot stronger than that! As in DO NOT WEAR COTTON SOCKS!!!! Liners may or may not be necessary. I never wear them with my Smartwool socks, and have had about 2 blisters since I made that switch a decade back (both due to shoe issues, not socks). |
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 4, 2016 6:32:03 GMT -8
Frankly, for most dayhiking for most people, a pair of running shoes is fine (probably even cheap ones). Ditto that. Been wearing trail runner on all kinds of terrain for decades (backpacking and day hiking). They dry faster than boots. Unless you have particularly weak ankles, boot can be over kill and excess weight on your legs. |
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Post by cheaptentguy on Sept 4, 2016 14:29:42 GMT -8
- Socks: Highly recommend the REI merino wool hiking socks. Not as expensive as Smartwool brand, but still do a great job.
- Shoes: any comfortable sneakers will work fine as long as they have still have some tread on them. I started with a pair of cheap Under Armor cross trainers and never had an issue.
- Backpack: you need some kind of small backpack, but it doesn't have to be an expensive hiking backpack. Most cheap backpacking packs will still be water bladder compatible. You just need something to hold your stuff and water to start. You can always get something lighter and nicer in the future if you start to enjoy hiking more. Also, there are always great deals on 24 liter or so packs by the best brands. I got a great lightweight Northface bag for $20 that was a great starter pack.
- Water: really up to you. A bladder is great because you're not stopping and starting so much. However, it's easy enough to just get some plastic bottles and go. That being said, don't skimp on water. Bring more than you believe you will need.
- Bug spray, unquestionably, but you probably know that if you do anything outside in NC.
- Small medical kit that you can make yourself and throw in a zip lock bag: bandaids, moleskin, benadryl, pain reliever, and maybe a few other things. No need to buy a medical kit, as much of the stuff in you probably won't use.
- Nylon hiking pants. These can be inexpensive Magellan pants, but you'll probably want something like that over jeans. I'd also spring for a cheap synthetic shirt that will dry easier than cotton. Also, with the synthetic stuff, you can use it day after day as long as you don't mind a little funk, where as wet jeans and shirts will feel pretty gross.
- Layers. October in Asheville can be pretty warm or pretty chilly, and change quite a bit with elevation change. Make sure you have a warmth layer and some kind of rain protection. A $2 plastic poncho over a warmth layer can do the trick.
I concur that trekking poles can be a great thing. Even getting a pair and splitting them so that you each have one is quite beneficial. However, I've also just picked up a stick on the trail to serve the same purpose. The pole is much better, but a wooden walking stick works too. The best advice I got on this forum was this: just get out there. That's much more important than getting all of the gear, so long as you have basics like water and safe, comfortable shoes. The more you hike, the more you'll figure out what you want/need, getting more and more comfortable and lighter. You need surprisingly little for day hikes, much of which you probably already have in your house. |
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Sept 10, 2016 10:50:40 GMT -8
You'll want:
a comfortable pack, anywhere from 10-20 liters is generally enough for most day hikes
A simple first-aid kit
A warm layer(a lightweight fleece will probably do). A warm hat and gloves if temps are predicted to be extra cold
A poncho or lightweight rain jacket if rain is in the forecast. Also helpful to keep wind at bay.
Baby wipes, tissues(or a handkerchief), hand sanitizer, chapstick, bug wipes, a small ziplock bag for trash, and sunscreen are always in my pack as well
Snacks- can be trail mix, Uncrustables (our favorite), a candy bar, jerky...whatever you like that transports relatively well. Fruit tends to get beat up.
1-2 liters of water, whether in a bladder or bottles
A map of the trail system where you are
As others have said, comfortable running/tennis shoes should be fine. When I started hiking I wore jeans and usually an under armor style t-shirt and I survived. You don't need special pants or anything. Just avoid cotton shirts and socks!
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 10, 2016 11:17:24 GMT -8
Come on people; they are going day hiking with an infant and a toddler. Let's not over think this.
edit: by that I mean they are unlikely to go very far from the trail head. Sure, some precautions are necessary, but it's not like they are going into harms way. Ten essentials? Overkill. You guys will have them packing for Everest. A diaper bag and a couple of water bottles should suffice.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 11, 2016 10:10:17 GMT -8
they are going day hiking with an infant and a toddler. Let's not over think this. edit: by that I mean they are unlikely to go very far from the trail head. If you read carefully, that's not what the OP said. She said We need day hiking suggestions for beginners, like kindergarten or toddler style. I take that to mean that they want to hear the basics, not that they are hiking with small children (and even if they were...quite a lot of us here took our infants and toddlers pretty danged far from the TH--and having little kids along makes having the essentials all the more essential). It is true, to some degree, that if they are only planning to walk on well-traveled trails 2 or 3 miles total, the need for "real" gear goes way down. But--if the interest is there, and the walks will get longer and more challenging, might as well start off with the right gear. |
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Post by CompassRds on Sept 11, 2016 11:01:07 GMT -8
(and even if they were...quite a lot of us here took our infants and toddlers pretty danged far from the TH--and having little kids along makes having the essentials all the more essential)
<- My max dayhiking with a toddler = 18 miles, spread out carefully between a happy start, breakfast, post-breakfast hour nap, a couple strategic out-of-carrier playtimes for the whineies, lunch, post lunch happy-time, another play-break, then someones 2 hour afternoon nap. Still working toward the backpacking with one. ;-) |
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Post by CompassRds on Sept 11, 2016 11:23:08 GMT -8
That aside, I love the lists here and just thought I'd throw out my 2 c on a few things. I will also defer to the experts in the NC environment if they come back and nix anything I say. ...it's easy enough to just get some plastic bottles and go. That being said, don't skimp on water. Bring more than you believe you will need.
If you can find a cheap pack with some kind of outer pocket, it should be easy enough for a partner to grab a bottle on the go for you. Two liter bottles in an outer pocket can get you quite a ways and when you pause for a snack you can switch out more.
If you are not going a great distance, you can likely hold off on the synthetic shirts and pants and bring some extra layers or a change in a dry-sack (well wound trash bag bound with 3-4 heavy duty rubber bands) stuffed in your cheap pack.
As I was carrying some sympathy weight recently, I am going to tell you a pair of synthetic boxers with no seams in the inner thigh area was worth its weight in gold .
Small medical kit is so important. I have taken enough new hikers out and had to start and stop due to injuries over the years to know that no fancy socks are gong to stop the blisters that crop up from your toes rubbing together when you inadvertently do too many miles.
Oddly enough I often ziplock an extra pair of socks and carry an extra pair of shoes, as I've soaked enough through with the morning dew when grassland hiking, or hit hidden puddles under leaves in the fall. |
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Frankly, for most dayhiking for most people, a pair of running shoes is fine (probably even cheap ones). Moving up from there you can consider trail shoes or low-cut lightweight boots. Either way, pair them with synthetic or Smartwool (or similar) socks that fit well.
