differences

“can someone tell me what the differences are between a newbie backpacker and an experienced backpacker?

It seams that if you are strong enough you should be able to do everything the experienced backpacker can do. Well, you have to learn how to read a compass and a map, but that's about it, or am I wrong?

same thing goes for hikers. your either strong enough or not...”

“when i was starting i was lucky enough to hike with more expirienced ones...i learned a lot about where to put tents, knots, how to use a stove, filter etc.....I'm still learning!”

“Experience is a measure of knowledge and not physical strength.”

“Just keep doing it for a while without killing yourself and you'll be Fine, <G>”

“What HPM said. After a minute or two of "backpacking talk", it's pretty easy to gauge one's experience.

But if you're pretty perseptive, newbies tend to not look as comfortable (wider eyed and screaming for their mama) when out in the woods.”

“Comfort level my friend, comfort level..”

“Everybody who is experienced once set out on that first solo trip. They have changed much along the way. Just hike and let time and learning proceed at their own pace.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. That question is too loaded for me. I already learned my lesson from Are you a Real Backpacker?”

“okay, you guys are talking about comfort levels, screaming for momma, etc...

I think I will receive my comfort level by asking you guys in advance, right?? so if I do backpack I am sure my pack is not too heavy.etc..

screaming for momma: Now that is something I would never ever do. I remember the first time I hiked. AHh, I thought I am gonna die, but belive me not one word. when someone was close to me I tried my best to sound like I breath normally...to proud for this crab.I would never admit I am too tired to continue. Would suck in the pain.

level of experience: hmm, so it doesn't have anything to do with strengh...but what else is there?
I can get all the info about a trail from the net, from friends,etc. So as the info about how to dress. That doesn't make me experienced.

so knowledge of what?
Just because I now know how to dress, what it takes to pack your pack and I know a couple of trails that does not mean I am a pro. (I wish)”

“LOL @ slim!”

“oopps, just read that previous post. I am really not trying to start a competition among you guys. I am just wondering. I am pretty new at all this. Sometimes I get asked questions but I don't feel comfortable answering them even I know my answer probably is the correct answer. I think I am to "new" at this to even have the "privelege" to answer.”

“so if you would backpack with some dude/chick that wasn't able to handle the trail, what would you call her? I still think strengh has something to do with your level of experience. You get stronger while with each bp trip.”

“Ok let me be more specific. It's more like the application of knowledge. There are many who have extensive "book learning" but they apply it poorly.

It's easy to learn to read a topo map and shoot a bearing on a compass but it takes experience to navigate well with both while out in the field.

How long it takes someone to break camp is a good litmus test of experience. So is packing your pack. Yeah sure it all fits in there but can you get to what you need when you need it? When it starts raining the experienced hikers are easy to spot. They are the ones waiting the other folks who are still digging around in their packs for rain gear.

The same goes for many other tasks. Sure one can do the task but can they do the task well?”

“An experienced backpacker would never make a statement like they would never scream for momma.”

“
close bold”

“.clear bold”

“I guess this is where I jump in and mention the extensive number of bag nights I've racked up in 2002.
I'm just too heavyweight for this site.”

“Ah, tell us, please?
(At least a hint, is it one, two, or three digits?)”

“:D I think I get it. One day one of you will take me on a BP trip and I'll either will be a real pain or I'll just suck it up. I think I am just so ready and can not wait to get my first real BP trip done. I guess I feel like I am missing out on something, not sure what it is. It's like I am about to explode (well, you'll get my point)

violin: so you screamed for mommy before? (I don't understand your comment at all)”

“Violin, I haven't yet, so I must be doing something right.”

“Don't worry about it. Just prepare as best you can and go do it.”

“I just don't appriciate your comment you are not a experienced BPer if you make the comment "I never scream for mommy". I'll tell you what, I am 39 years old, since I am about 9 years old I have not screamed for mom, not during 3 labors, not in my car crash, never.

This comment actually had nothing to do with my question. Unless you are a 15 year old kid that was trying to give a smarta$$ answer.”

“If you're ready, GO!!! Don't wait for others. Maybe that's your answer, an experienced backpacker does not wait for others. He just goes and does it. If you wait for others, you may end up never going.”

“nowslimmer: I think you're right. Maybe that is my answer. I think if I wait for someone go with me it will never work.”

“Example:

An experienced backpacker will recognize that a shorter overnight provides an opportunity to pack a tube of cinammon rolls and a simple, lightweight and efficient way of cooking them. Then - and this is the truly experienced part - he shares them with his fellow hikers.

I think that it does take experience to pull together a good pile of trail wisdom. It's a journey that never ends and I'm glad I have a long way to go. Every trip is a new learning that makes me a more experienced hiker, even if the knees (and shoulders, and back) get older.”

“humanpackmule: I agree with you too.

so I am going to put up my tent in the backyard, (check for time) Put on my gear stand under the shower and see how wet I'll get. THEN I'll go on my first trip and look just like I am doing this for years. hahahah (just kidding)

No really now: your answer did make sense to me.”

“I've done that.”

“Sorry for this one, Gemini, but it appears that you are using TT as "your mommy!" What is it you want people to tell you? We are all trying to respond nicely and to help you with whatever you need. Sincerely, we prefer to help.”

“ c clear
please!”

“Yeah - Gemini that's what I think folks mean.”

“thanks ya'll...and hey...sorry for me being grumpy.”