kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 12, 2016 8:21:24 GMT -8
Hey, I'm 36 and just now realized this is something i would really enjoy and do not know where to start or even what to do. anyone have a good jumping off point for me? I'm in the Kansas City, Missouri metro area.
thanks!
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Dec 12, 2016 11:53:07 GMT -8
It's a 4 hour drive to the Ozark Trail, so that's a drag if you're just starting out. But if you do go, you might decide to hike the Courteois Creek section.
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kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 12, 2016 15:03:31 GMT -8
Thanks for the information, I saw you have a website/twitter feed that will be of great interest and help. Thanks again.
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Dec 13, 2016 6:00:26 GMT -8
/twitter feed that will be of great interest and help I can assure you that the Twitter feed will be of little interest and no help.
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bp2go
Trail Wise!
California
Posts: 1,329
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Post by bp2go on Dec 14, 2016 15:13:17 GMT -8
do not know where to start or even what to do. Does that mean you really need the basic equipment first? then how to get out on a first hike? If so, take some time to read through the Gear Closet posts. There re many posts discussing the things you do need, might need, and don't need! Info on how to get the right stuff. If you are totally new to this, then there must be some sort of nature area, park, lake, river,...something near you where a few day-trips can get you started, working toward a first overnighter. Welcome to the forum. I hope you find something in Gear to get you more excited and eventually out on a trail.,
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kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 14, 2016 21:43:25 GMT -8
Yes I am completely new to this, I'm currently researching the gear and my area.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Dec 15, 2016 7:50:21 GMT -8
Priority # 1 is Happy Feet! Whatever footwear you select, if it doesn't fit, you're gonna quit! If you have no Outer Layer, you'll be outta here! Don't screw around with weather, acquire the following: - Lightweight Wind/Rain Jacket
- Lightweight Wind/Rain Pant
Defend against cold, wet and miserable. Everything else will fall into place. Will be visiting KC mid-January. My son will be competing in the 2017 U.S Figure Skating Championships.
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Dec 15, 2016 11:21:54 GMT -8
Priority # 1 is Happy Feet! Whatever footwear you select, if it doesn't fit, you're gonna quit! +1
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three
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by three on Dec 18, 2016 11:08:13 GMT -8
Haven't been on the forum for awhile, but depending where you are in the KC metro are, you may consider Weston Bend State Park about 15 miles north of KCI for a "shake-down" overnighter.
Pack-up your gear, walk three or four miles with it, and then camp in one of the tent sites overnight. Should give you a good idea of if everything working for you and if you have the right gear. Close enough though that if things are not going right, you can pack-up and be home most places in the KC metro within an hour.
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kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 18, 2016 12:27:17 GMT -8
Yeah I live in Liberty just outside KC. At some point I hope to link up with a group to go on a trip. I'll research that area, thanks for the info. I appreciate all the help.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Dec 18, 2016 19:46:36 GMT -8
Check out the Ozark trail Assiciation website at oarktrail.com. It is great resource for planning a trip.
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Post by lancer on Dec 20, 2016 11:16:41 GMT -8
The REI in Overland Park has some Backpacking 101 classes that you might find helpful. Also check out the Kansas and/or Missouri chapters of the Sierra club. They have a pretty active schedule of outings.
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Post by cweston on Dec 20, 2016 11:57:49 GMT -8
I'm going to play devils advocate a bit here. I live near you, in Manhattan, KS. I never backpack in his part of the country. It's too insanely hot in the summer, and there really aren't any very interesting places to go, anyway. For me, my love of backpacking is intimately interconnected with my love of the mountains. I am an old veteran backpacker, but I've never done a single trip that wasn't in the mountains, except for some Boy Scout trips back when God was a child.
So, my advice would be, work on getting your gear together. Do a couple warm-up trips in the Ozarks or wherever, then head out to Colorado, which is only a day's drive away.
YMMV, but that's how I'd get started.
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kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 20, 2016 13:02:39 GMT -8
REI in Overland Park has some Backpacking 101 classes I signed up for the January class and Ozark class! Do a couple warm-up trips in the Ozarks I'm planning them already for a little test run.
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kobe
Trail Ready!
Posts: 7
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Post by kobe on Dec 20, 2016 13:04:02 GMT -8
Check out the Ozark trail Assiciation a ton of info on that site, thanks for the lead!
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