How did you get into Backpacking?

“Believe it or not, I got into backpacking from reading TT. I got hooked on hiking this summer while doing an amateur photo shoot in the Whites. I've done plenty of short hikes to photograph waterfalls but never "bagged a summit" until I ventured up the Greenleaf Trail to Mt Lafayette. It was a blast and I couldn't wait to do more. When I came home to East PA, I started searching the Net for more info and stumbled into TT. I did lots of lurking and learned a lot (and laughed a lot too!). I went to the local EMS, stocked up on gear, and did lots of day hiking in the Poconos and the AT in PA and NJ. I finally did my first overnighter while hiking the AT in NJ from the Delaware Water Gap to Culver Gap. First time I ever crawled in a sleeping bag was under the stars at Catfish Firetower. I loved it and I'm hooked. Thanks TT!”

“Pennsy, we are practically neighbors. (We might be neighbors.)

How did you like the AT in NJ from Delaware Water Gap?

I was on Mt. Minsi a few weeks ago, got a few nice pictures there...”

“Yall both might live close to Sirpeteofmillwork. He lives near Delaware Water Gap.

Welcome to Camp TT, Pennys Hiker!”

“I am in Montgomery County, outside of Philly...about 1-1/2 hours from Delaware Water Gap...”

“Pete lives about 3 mins from Del. Water Gap.”

“Did you see them Eagles Slam them Cowboys last night? Wasn't it Cool!!!!!!!
(BTW, Big Eagle Fan here!)”

“OH YEAH, BABY! BRING ON THOSE GIANTS!

(What? I have to wait three weeks for that???)

Actually, I'm not sure yet if the Iggles are that good, or they just played a couple of lame teams (Dallas and Seattle) plus a good one that hadn't hit their stride yet (Rams.)

AZ is lame, too, so we won't really know about this team until the Giants game...”

“That will be a good game.”

“Pennsy Hiker - Neat story!

I wonder how many other converts are lurking about?”

“Me! I grew up in Wyoming but have spent most of my life riding horses, not backpacking. I would love to get up to the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone. Anybody been up there?”

“it was in the early 70's, when my ex hubby and some college friends got back from the war in vietnam. We took a trip to Cades Cove, Tn and treked to Spence Field and area for three days. We got so hooked, we bought 5 acres in Cosby and built a log house and moved up there from florida so we could "get out there" anytime we wanted. Covered lots of trails in the smokies in 11 years. then my son was born, didnt do a lot of backpacking, but i carried him on lots of dayhikes to the AT and those parts in a baby backpack. Regrettfully and not with light heart , I left the mountains and moved back to florida when he was five and didnt get seriously back into backpacking until a couple of years later... .....mostly a couple of times a year, week in the spring and a week in the fall, long weekend here and there, when i would head back to the mountains.
Did many a solo trips over the years.......until i was introduced to TT......sigh...now i got a bad love for it.......”

“Thanks for the warm welcome! Fritz, we're almost neighbors. I'm up the road in Easton (Northampton County) about 40 minutes from the Gap, so I can't be to far from Pete. 3 minutes from the Gap.... geez, he can call the AT his back yard.

Mt Minsi is great Fritz. I'd suggest the next time you get up that way, cross the river to NJ and do Mt Tamminy. The first thing I would do is stop by the visitor center on Rte 80 and pick up the north Kittatinny Trails map set. It's a set of 4 detailed maps that cover the AT and side trails from the Water Gap to High Point. I can suggest a neat day hike that is about 12-15 miles. Take the red trail up to Mt Tamminy (great view!). The red trail ends and picks up the blue trail which loops back down the mt towards the parking lot. You'll pass the green trail and soon intersect with the AT. If you were to turn left, you'd be about 1/4 mile from the lot. That's about a 4 mile loop, but turn right on the AT and head towards Sunfish Pond. It's a little less than 4 miles and while it is uphill all the way, the grade is pretty gentle. If you decide to hike around SP (about 2 miles), there are some great places to stop and have lunch. The AT hugs the left shoreline and after you go about 100 yards or so, check out all the cairns. It's like "Stonehenge of NJ." When you get to the other side of SP, you'll have to leave the AT to continue the SP loop, turn right and take the blue (or turquoise?) trail. You'll soon have to make another right on the SP fire road, although I don't think it is marked. When you get just about back to your SP starting point, turn left and take the Green (Dunnfield Creek) Trail back down the mt. I like this trail. It's a bit steep and rocky at first but soon you'll be walking along the Dunnfield Creek and you'll be treated to some small but nice waterfalls. You'll meet up with the Blue trail and once again the AT intersection. Turn left and you'll be at the parking lot in a few minutes.

Of course, if you are backpacking, it's about 13 miles from the Gap to the Catfish Fire Tower where there are some great spots to camp out (no campfires though). Like I am an expert or something cuz that was my first backpack stop. Ha! But I liked it and the views were great.

Walkindude, before I forget, I want to mention that the "trippin in the Whites" thread was great and I actually learned a few things. In fact, I am heading up there this Sunday for 5 days. Sorry, I won't be backpacking but lots of day hiking with camera gear and I hope to include Mt Washington and some other Presidentials.”

“Phil, I bet there are plenty like me out there lurking. The thing about TT is that it is so active with so many topics covered in detail that all my questions were answered without me asking. Plus it is very organized making it very easy to find info. I was glad to find this thread cuz I finally found the opportunity to speak. But once I start yappin....... I can just see the replies.... lurk! lurk!”

“I got into backpacking when I was a boyscout! Now I love to get away from the city and listen to the wild. Smell the clean air. Have wild outdoor sex with my MystyPines. ugh ugh!! What's not to love about backpacking. It's the only way to get away from traffic, phones, TV, radio and the million other distractions that keep people from being themselves. Instead of reacting to mother social you get to react to mother nature. Where would I be without my backpacking getaways.”

“Ravenseer,

Would you still want "hot lovins" from me after I have been on the trail for 1 week without a shower? he he he”

“As a kid I bicycled everywhere. We had only 1 car; my bike was my ticket to freedom.

My cousin and I started going out into the Shiawassee Flats for dayhikes, then overnights, and then weekends when we were just 10 or so. Our parents were cool enough to let us loose.

It was only another small step to start bike camping. After graduating 8th grade a friend and I went up north (Mi) for 3 weeks on our bikes. I couldn't afford panniers so I bought a pack.

That trip opened the floodgates. I hiked or biked every spare minute until I discovered girls.

After I got married I settled for car camping (pw'd). When my boys got old enough, 7 & 9, we saw backpackers getting of the Manitou Island Ferry in Leland, and they were wanting to try it. So I scrounged up my old gear, bought the kids the critical things, and out we went.

I got seriously hooked and still am. The kids are now all teenagers and too cool to hike, so I solo unless I can join a group hike. I have hopes that the kids will come back to BP'ing someday when the become people again (joke).”

“Feet first”

“I started backpacking in undergraduate school when a girl I was dating suggested it. Hmm, I haven't seen her in quite a few years, but I still have the BP I started with, guess I know which one was more important.”

“I have this mental picture of chili36 hiking down the trail stopping and looking confused for a second and saying "Gee, where is my girlfriend?"”

“You know, come to think of it, I think I might have been in that state of mind once or twice”

“The idea for backpacking came to me me immediately when returning in pain and exhaustion from a 28 mile dayhike to Angel Arch in Canyonlands NP back in '86. Now getting to those remote places is more enjoyable with a tent and sleeping bag.”

“Just for reference, "How did you get started?"”

“I was born in one. Seriously. I think it was a Army issue ruck sack”