Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2016 20:07:46 GMT -8
Hi. I'm brand new to backpacking and I am faced with the prospect of buying a whole lot of gear and not knowing really what sorts of things I should even be asking. I am going on a two night trip that is called a "backpackers clinic" put on by an outdoor store. I have read the FAW that is the first sticky on this page, but I was hoping some of you might be willing to give me a general idea of the basic sorts of things I should be looking for and asking about when it comes to buying my boots/tent/bag/pack etc..
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Oct 4, 2016 21:06:06 GMT -8
Hi Tim
I'd approach things a little differently. Instead of what questions to ask, I'd start by trying to focus a little bit on what you might want to do. A few overnighters from time to time, and only when the forecast is clear? that's one kind of backpacking gear. 5-10 days in the high country? that requires a whole different approach. And through hiking a long trail is another thing...
So I would give some thought to where you want to backpack, when you want to backpack, and how long and high you want to backpack. That will help your local store give you good advice.
And you should check out our site: backpackthesierra.com It has a lot of basic info along these lines for people who want to backpack in ...yep, you guessed it...the SIerra Nevada.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 4, 2016 21:09:03 GMT -8
Do you care how heavy the pack is? Do you care more about budget, in other words, does your wallet make the decisions for you? Do you want to just try it out, or do you already know you want to go a lot?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 4, 2016 23:41:02 GMT -8
As an overall approach Use stuff from your home, borrow, rent and only buy as a last resort as your style will surely change and when you gain experience then you'll have a better idea as how to spend your money.
The one exception can be your footwear. Those have to fit and that's a specific thing where buying is inevitable.
The other is buy for the trips you are going to take and not the life threatening grand expedition you might do someday. Most of that would be both wrong and much more expensive than what most recreational backpacking requires.
Myself, and I'm sure others here, started out with what we'd look back on as the mist appalling gear choices. And had one hell of a grand time year after year after year. You will as well I'm sure. (Just get footwear that fits. Lol)
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 5, 2016 3:31:54 GMT -8
Be careful on the advice you get from outdoor shops. They will have you carrying 50 lbs. before you know it.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 5, 2016 6:56:56 GMT -8
Do you want to buy once and use it often? Or do you want to replicate the experience of myself and so many others, where you buy what's cheap, figure out it's junk, buy the next most expensive item, figure out that isn't quite what it should have been, and then finally FINALLY actually buy what you needed and thought you couldn't afford, and then have to figure out how to sell off the other stuff?
I have a gear room. I intend to have a gear yard sale. I wish I had just saved up money and bought what was good in the first place.
If I had been smart, I would have been online instead of going to Big 5, REI and the other box stores.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 7:10:27 GMT -8
Thanks for the advice folks. This first trip is going to be in Arkansas on the Buffalo River Trail. I have wanted to try to get into backpacking for a while (or see if I wanted to get into it), and this was finally spurred by a couple of high school friends suggesting we take a hike in 2017. The suggestion is the Tuolumne Meadow to Yellowstone Valley trail, and to do it in four days (probably in July). I know like most things this is going to be a lot of trial and error, but I want to make sure I dont spend a ton of money on stuff I dont really need and wont really use.
From this series of replies, and other things I have read, sounds like my main focus should be my shoes, which makes sense. I do not have a tent, a pad or a pack, so I am hoping that this "clinic" will answer a lot of the questions I have about what I need to get started.
I have seen a couple of posts about buying things online instead of in big stores (the store sponsoring the clinic is called the Pack Rat in Fayetteville, Arkansas). What online sites would you suggest? And are they beginning friendly?
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 5, 2016 7:24:54 GMT -8
The suggestion is the Tuolumne Meadow to Yellowstone Valley trail, and to do it in four days (probably in July). I know like most things this is going to be a lot of trial and error, but I want to make sure I dont spend a ton of money on stuff I dont really need and wont really use. I'm going to suggest Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley. Yellowstone is going to involve lots of hitchhiking and weeks instead of days.... it's in Wyoming. I'm also going to reiterate that borrowing and renting are a good idea. For an unbiased thorough website on everything backpacking, I suggest Mark Verber. www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 7:25:21 GMT -8
Yosemite Valley. Not Yellowstone. *forehead slap*
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 5, 2016 9:38:27 GMT -8
Shoes is a great place to start. No class will teach you which pack or tent to buy. That simply comes with your personal experience. Start off with generic tent and pack with as few features as you can manage - Backpacking does not equate to bells and whistles as they equal more weight and more places to fail. True backpacking comfort comes from simplicity and lightness.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2016 9:57:21 GMT -8
Yea, What He wrote. When I buy backpacking equipment, I ask myself, 'will I trust my life to this piece of gear?'
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 5, 2016 13:37:46 GMT -8
Yosemite Valley. Not Yellowstone. *forehead slap* That can be a great choice as there's four different routes (five really) from four different trail heads that all lead down to the valley from Tuolumne and nearby Tenaya Lake through spectacular country. Having lots of options helps for such a popular locale. The other good news is the Sierra is rather benign in the full summer once the five or ten feet of snowpack melt off (usually by July for sure) and the streams slow down the weather gets stable and the flowers come out.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Oct 5, 2016 13:39:49 GMT -8
Yea, What He wrote.When I buy backpacking equipment, I ask myself, 'will I trust my life to this piece of gear?' The entire reason I just can't buy a spork. just can't.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 5, 2016 14:00:38 GMT -8
Speaking from experience, the best shoe is the one that fits the most comfortably without causing blisters. Unfortunately, a backpacking shoe's true colors don't show until you have worn it for a few days with a load on your back in a variety of trails conditions (climbing, descending, rocky, etc.).
Here is the flat, generally not rocky Midwest (I backpack a lot in MI, occasionally in the MO Ozarks), tennis shoes can work fine. With rockier conditions, a beefier sole and toe protection is important. Ankle protection becomes important for off-trail hiking through scree and other bigger, loose rock. My anecdotal impression is that newbies tend to invest in heavier, more protective boots than are really necessary.
Don't be seduced by waterproofing, unless you are doing snow hikes. Waterproof fabrics are less breathable and hotter, and thus your feet will get wet anyways from sweat. A cool, dry foot is bliss on the trail--and rare. When you stop to a break, take off your boots and socks to let your feet dry out, even for five minutes. Stick them in an icy creek if you like. It's really therapeutic.
I had an issue last year at Pictured Rocks with some new Oboz, and ended up packing two days and 20 miles in wicking socks and plasticky shower shoes! It felt more comfortable than any shoe I had ever worn on the trail, mostly because my feet stayed cool and dry (and the trail had few rocks).
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 5, 2016 14:08:54 GMT -8
Re packs, fit again is the key. Most better packs are adjustable so you should be able to get a good fit. The load should ride primarily across your hips via a very snug hipbelt, and be pulled close to your spine via the shoulder straps and the load shifters up high. I highly recommend a pack with a hydration sleeve and tube port. You will drink more water (it is easy to not drink enough on the trail, which is bad) and carry its load in the proper place. Only fill the bladder enough to give you enough water to your next big stop (e.g. lunch, camp).
My pack for 3-4 days in cool (50s/30s) weather runs about 35 pounds. I am not an ultralighter. Newbies tend to overpack.
For water treatment, I absolutely rave about the MSR Miniworks ES Filter. It is very simple, very reliable, and easy to service in the field. When the filter clogs, you simply scrub it a bit and rinse, and you are ready to go. No need for a spare filter on the trail.
Don't skimp on a sleeping bag. Find out if you are a warm/cold sleeper, and take those temperature ratings with a grain of salt.
And nothing cotton in your pack, except maybe a bandana and a t-shirt for sleeping. The latter is great for keeping your bag fresh and sleep undisturbed by stickiness as the cotton t-short absords the oils and moisture on your body, keeping it off your bag liner.
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