im new to backpacking

“um, whats the scoop on the trails? & do they lead on to another & another & another ect? if so how far can they go? from state to state? also, I want to bring a dog. any advice?”

“Get a real mean dog.”

“ha!”

“Oh my gosh”

“Where do you live?”

“i c. u dont wanna lend any advice . ok.”

“It all depends where you live?How long you want to go?etc etc.....”

“Your questions are a bit general. Some trails lead to other trails, some trails don't. If you said something about where you live, then someone might know where to begin in saying something about trails. There is also a section on trails in this webstite.”

“Finding trails can be hard. Check with your state’s park service, the national park service, as well as your state’s forest service and the national forest service as well as the Bureau of Land Management. Trails differ hugely. Most are shorter but there are some that are run together that go all across the country. Finding them at the local and state level is your first and best chance of finding accessible trails to you.


http://www.fs.fed.us/

http://www.nationalparks.org/index.html

http://www.blm.gov/”

“You can bring a dog most places (I hope it's a well behaved dog) The Smokies dont allow dogs an there are a few others so just check before you go. Happy hiking!”

“That dog question is a complicated one. How well trained is the dog? What kind of physical condition is the dog in? Is it a trail which is appropriate to dog travel (steepness, rockiness, etc.)? Are they allowed in that park/recreational area? If so, must they be leashed? How compatible are they with the local wildlife, or are they a hazard to the local wildlife? Has it had all of it's shots and do you have documentation? Do you have tags with your name, address, and phone # for the collar/harness? Here's a pretty good backpacking with your dog information resource.”

“I am new to hiking also. I would like to start with dayhikes and work my way up to some overnighters. I am in Tennesse and would appreciate any help about hiking, gear and trails. I am 51 so please be kind to an old man who is wanting to learn.”

“Which part of Tennessee?”

“And a big one question Does the dog want to go? seriously my dog loves it but my daughters dog would rather be dragged through hot coals Ha Ha a lot of that depends on the breed though an the climate your hiking in”

“I live in the Nashville area”

“That's an excellent point, centavo. I didn't think of that. My dog starts begging at the door the instant I start packing my tent. She loves it so much it never occurs to me a dog might not.

Ewker, I'm mostly familliar with trails in eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. We have some TT'ers from your area that could help you much more, I think.”

“ok thanx there was lots of good stuff there. i'll check all that out thoroughly.
p.s. pls dont ragg on my spell or grammer-it take the fun outa writing -donchta think? 8)”

“Don't worry about your spellin belgair, it shore cain't be as bad as IcedTea! Anyhow, them's just typo's, right! The best thang you could do for yourself (and us) is to tell us where you're at, as somebody here will live nearby. (Don't worry, we don't bite, and heyallfire, it's not like you hafta give your home addy or tele#, nor do you ever hafta meet any of us!) BUT!!! You'll not find a better source of outdoor info than here! BTW, welcome to TT.

Welcome you too Ewker, I just moved outa Knoxville several months back, so the man you'll want is Walkindude. When you find a thread he's posting to regularly, ask him for some info, he'll be glad to have another ECT'er.”

“Welcome, Ewker - you are far from the oldest person around here. I suspect that most of the people who claim to be twentysomething hardbodies are really 49 year old couch potatos!”

“Hey!! I resemble uh I mean resent that, I'm a twenty something hardbody! (in my mind that is)”

“and proud of it!!!”

“hi my name is Eve & im gonna earthwalk & im gonna continue my earthwalk for the rest of my life
yo, im from oklahoma
b4 u post to me pls check these sites out to get a better understanding of what i have in mind

http://home.earthlink.net/~earthwalker1/
http://www.solomax.com/

nice to meet ya!
S8)”

“balgair - are you going to walk around the earth? That's quite a story.”

“So, the mules are gonna carry your pack? We have backpacking advice maybe you should contact a good cowboy??”

“pepperdog: All of the girls think I am 40-something couch potato.. but there is relly a 29-y/o hardbody in there.. just waiting for the right hike.

Ewker: Good to have ya. I saw your email ot me regarding the Challenge Cookoff. Should have came and joined us.

Balgair79: heh.. right on buddy. Have fun, it's a good place to find it.”

“Uh, TD. I hang out with 29 year olds, not too many 29 yo 'hard bodies.' Try 19 Ü”

“hey I'm 29 and I feel and act 13...


Ha ha ahaha....:)”

“I am 39,,,,,,and I wish I could feel and act like I was 13,,,if only I knew then what I know now,,,”

“I always tell myslef....Don't ever grow up becuase when you do that it's all over so I am always going to be a big kid at heart and a daydreamer.....:)

Thats me.......”

“Towndawg, I wanted to come down and meet some people but I didn't get a chance as I had to work late that Friday night. I have checked out your website and have enjoyed looking and reading some of your post. Maybe when I can get myself into shape I can join you and others for a trip. My main thing is getting gear right now as all I have is new boots. (Early birthday and Christmas gift from daughter)
What are some of the main things a person would need just to dayhike but could be used for longer trips.
Stupid question but would a pack (like the kids in high school use) from Wal-Mart be ok a for a daypack?”

“I think a pack like that would work just fine for a day hike.....”

“It would be fine. Just try to pick one that has nice cushy shoulder straps and maybe a sternum strap if you can. You can use any sort of water bottle, soda ones work fine. Get yourself a map of where your walking, some fuel (food) and a trail and you'll be set. Parks with well marked trails are best to start so there's not much chance of getting lost. If you like dayhiking then start learning! Compass skills are good to have, pick up a book about backpacking. Collin Fletcher's "The Complete Walker" is a good one to start with.”

“I just stumbled onto this site and read all the threads here and ya'll seem great...in response to the dog thing...its a bummer that more great places won't allow them, but it is understandable.”

“wow.. sometimes we really sound respectable.. :)

anywayz.. Ewker -- daypacks.. Sassafras gives good advice. I can't improve on that. As for a dayhiker's checklist. Try here: DayHiker’s Checklist”

“Hey Stikmon, welcome. It's so nice to look to see who someone is and actually find something on their profile! I like your comment.”

“Ewker,,you might try looking at a Target instead of WalMart. They have the Eddie Bauer daypacks on sale.”

“There've been lots of good opinions on the Target Eddie Bauer gear.”

“That's where I did my first gear buying trip. Fair selection, and pretty good prices.

We can only do so much for you newbies. The best teacher is experience - so get out there and fall on yer face a few times!

Keep the dog leashed until yer satisfied that he/she will do well under voice command.”

“scooby? scooby do? where are you lil dog?”

“TD, that's 'Scooby Doo, where are you?', try to get with it would ya!”

“Ewker, welcome to another of the mid-life brigade. As with Gordon, I'm 49 (for another two months is all, dang!) and as others have noted, age is a state of mind -- and 51, I will swear, is not old if you don't count the aches and pains that come out of nowhere, LOL. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. You may have started hiking late, but that's better than never. And we have the same boots!

BTW, one of my the major gear purchases of this past year was a new couch. Sweet.”

“Yes, everyone around here is around 50 but mentally 3. You'll get used to it. Also, a lot of people don't have a sense of humor.

stikmon!!!!! what a cool name”

“Thanks for the info on the daypacks. I will check out Target to see what they have to offer”

“Welcome on stikmon, great to see ya postin' already!

Ewker, ya just cain't go wrong with Ebay, get a free username and acct started and I can lend sug's to ya. You'll prolly spend the same amount of $$ on used Ebay adventure gear, as opposed to new less-useful Target gear. Ya know about op's and buttholes tho, eh?”

“No, I don't. What is it”

“Uh, wuzat to me Ewker?? LOL”

“Hey I like the Target gear.....:)


Have a great day.....:)

Mike”

“What a great time - just (re)discovering hiking! Working from a clean slate from a gear perspective (although that could turn into a bit of an investment here shortly.) And hitting the trails around your own hometown for the first time.

Merry Christmas!”

“New gear is always fun......:)”

“I'm in my thirties and it still hurts. Pops and squeaks, ouches and beeps. Please don't tell me it gets worse.”