newbie

“I am planning a first backpacking trip and would a general idea of modest cost outlay for beginner, moderate weather conditions. Starting from zero. thanks, kato”

“The first thing you need is a pair of black gloves and a sharp knife.

But you already knew that.”

“hmmm.. does this mean i am no longer the newbie?”

“You have been elevated to skeezer status.”

“Cerebellum'd!”

“LMFAO @ bacpac!!!!!”

“: \”

“I'm so serious you guys!”

“If you want to be serious you came to the wrong place.”

“Is this kind of help I would get if you found me with my foot in an animal trap on the trail!!?? I mean serious about getting expert (cough) help to get started.”

“For a low cost outlay, your best bet would be to watch ebay or other sites for used gear.

Your major expenses will be for shelter, a backpack and a sleeping bag - but a stove, fuel, mattress pad and your safety kit will also add up. Lots of other items can be taken from your home - gradually you can replace them with lighter weight items.”

“kato, why don't u just browse on the "beginners" section of this website.”

“I'm guessing you would be very lucky to put it together for under 300 dollars.”

“Relax Kato. I'll dig up some old threads for you. hang on.”

“300?? no way.”

“Another drama Queen. Get in line behind Scorchfire.”

“If you live near an REI - find out when they are having their used gear sale. Some REI's are having them in the next few weeks.”

“pedxing-you are the type of stranger on whose kindness I have always depended on. (sorry TW)”

“After you learn that one rule, trailtalk becomes much more fun.

300 dollar challenge thread

That thread will help you get started cheaply.”

“there is an REI by my house, walking distance! :0 I will check on used gear sale-it won't smell will it?”

“SMELL??”

“You hafta be think-skinned here newbie (BTW, welcome).

Why don't you rent what you need before you spend a ton of cash? REI & other joints will rent the big basics for you... tent, pack, maybe other gear as well.

After you've been out a time or two you can determine your level of interest in this activity. You can actually end up spending some serious $$ for gear if you really get into it. OTOH, many can outfit themselves at Walmart, etc., for "basic" gear that does the trick for the less adventurous backpackers. Nothing wrong with that.

And do take a look at the TRIPS page & try to hook up with nmore experienced bp'ers, you can learn an awful lot about what works, and what DOESN'T!, by joining in on a trip with some experienced folks.”

“You get to look at the gear first... it shouldn't smell, but give it a sniff first.

Some things you can take from home or get at a goodwill or other store that sells used things: clothes, a cheap aluminum pot and things like that - occaisionally something very useful will show up there.

You can also save weight and money for a first trip by either camping where open fires are allowed and not bringing a stove, or bringing food that doesn't need to be cooked.

That 300 dollar thread is useful. Careful accumulation of used goods helps big time.

Another idea: borrow or rent some of your gear for a first time trip.”

“"it won't smell will it?"
kato
06:15:03 PM
10/30/03


this guy has to be a troll - but at least he or shee is a funny troll”

“Wow, this thread is moving fast...
when I said "don't listen to these guys" I was referring to the earlier posters who were funnin' you... Phaeddy, pedxing & some others will have valuable ideas for you.”

“The second lesson you learn on TT is that Phaedy has a drinking problem and is trapped in an unhappy marriage.”

“Pack-- Camp Trails Scirocco- 3 lbs 1 oz-3500cui- $40--Campmor.com
>
>Bag-- Coleman Kodiak- 45 deg.-- 2lb 2oz --$70 through Coleman or other
>sporting goods stores
>
>Tent-- 8X10 tarp nylon, coated-- $33--23 oz-- Campmor.com
>
>Stove and cook set-- Trangia--$25-- 14 oz-- REI.com
>
>Utinsels--Lexan soup spoon .25 oz.--$.75 Campmor
>
>Water Purifier-- Portable Aqua-- $5-- 2oz--REI
>
>Sleep pad--Ridge Rest-- $15--14 oz--REI
>
>Knife- Swiss army- $12--1oz-Campmor
>
>Lighter-butane-$1- .5oz-Any store
>
>Water bottle-Recycled-free-2 liter -2oz
>
>First aid/repair kit-Home made-free-8oz
>
>Light-Eveready Penlight-AA-$4-4oz- any store
>
>Toiletries-free-5oz
>
>Long johns-Duofold polypro med wt.-$20-12oz-Campmor
>
>Boots- Hi-Tec - $25- various stores
>
>Fleece top-Target- $22
>
>Socks-$5 for 2 pairs- polyester- local drug store
>
>Shell top-Target-$20-7oz-
>
>Stuff sacks-Trash compactor bags-$4
>
>Total cost---$299”

“The second lesson you learn on TT is that Phaedy has a drinking problem and is trapped in an unhappy marriage."
bacpac
06:20:56 PM
10/30/03

ROFL!”

“Welcome Kato

Where do ya live?”

“yeah Karo - got any spare body parts?”

“I live in SF bay area. Only back pack I have done before is 3 days in Alaska 20 yar ago. I also have a drinking problem and an unhappy marriage and I will raise you two sullen teenagers and an incontinent dog. Is 5'8" too tall for a troll?”

“Perfect.”

“After no deep thought or consideration for anyone's feelings but my own, Phaedrus is my new best friend. c-ya later”

“bacpac - You're right on the ball. Nice going.

These other idiots are troll-feeders.

kato - In case you want to claim that you are for real,

Step 1 is to fill out your "Profile Information."

Step 2 is to go day hiking and see what backpackers are wearing and carrying.

Step 3 is to start to start to investigate costs.

"it won't smell will it?"

Ooo, my aching sides!”

“It's been a lovely time chatting with you all. I'll have to do my profile later (right or left side?)”

“Nowslimmer, calling people idiots is bad form for septuagenarians. Don't MAKE me bust out the Depends jokes.”

“I don't know why these guys have been avoiding asking you the most serious question: Do you write Haiku?
Other than that, any questions regarding the accumulation of bag nights should be directed to Dunadan.”

“Wow I was expecting Kato to be an early twenty-ish college girl located near a bunch of us who has no idea how to backpack and wants lots of help...I've seen that one so many times I believed ScorchFire was a troll until she hiked with Bobo.”

“You're correct. I should tone it down. However, the set-up was obvious from the start. Bacpac was correct, but there were some troll-feeders(not everyone), who deserve to be called something.”

“Thing is, I'll feed a newbie-type troll everytime, JUST in case it's a real-life newbie with an netiquette problem.

I'd rather be trolled than have someone turned out because of my bad manners.”

“ok nobody get this newbie confused with me. I been hikin all my life and been backpacking for three whole years now. ( I do remember when I was this green ) KaTo your trail talk name is too much like mine and will cause a lot of confusion. You must have a new name immediately. Anyone have any bright ideas? Sounds like a troll from sunny fiery Calif. to me.”

“Another drama Queen. Get in line behind Scorchfire.

Lick my ass, bacpac”

“Wow”

“scorch he might like that. Then again you might like to get the salad tossed too.”

“Well Kato now that the flames have died....

theres three qualities to backpacking equipment:
cheap - light - durable
pick any two of the three....

walmart has cheap light dome tents for about 40 bucks that work if the weathers not too rough. or you can find a trail with a shelter to sleep in. - Tarping is cheap to but practice in your back yard first....

stove - see alcohol threads for nearly free choices ( a soda and a grease pot)

Cheep fleece can be had at walmart and target stores - check the hunting department....

I would tend to avoid the cheap sleeping bags - they usually suck. if there is one item you want to get serious over, this should be first on your list!

Pack is the second item to get serious over but rent/borrow first so you know what your getting.... an el-cheapo can get you thruogh the first couple of trips but dont expect much comfort out of it...

Pad - foam works well,doesnt cost alot and never deflates....

first aid kit - forget the store bought ones...

you need:
drugs for pain, hershey squirts and allergies - (immodium, ibuprofin and benedryl)
wound dressing - a few large 3x3 or so bandaids, and or guaze along with a ace type bandage will cover most problems
blister treatment: duct tape and moleskins
small sewing kit for torn clothing,equipment and skin....
leatherman for equipment repair ect...

also you may want some form of water treatment - aqua mira is cheap and works

plastic bags inside the pack are a good way to keep everything dry

theres more but I forgot the rest....”

“Lick my ass, bacpac.
Scorchfire

And it's always got to come back to bacon rings, doesn't it??












Mooooooooooohahhahahahahaa!!!”

“Nothing like a little fatback for breakfast.”

“Yep! 42 days! ¡Y tengo hambre!
Maybe I'll start north in 35.”

“I thought the karo reference was just a misspell. Humble pardons begged all around...I remember the mole skin being very important on hikes of long ago days. I am from the country of the trolls though. Yes on haiku: empty universe, random particles lost, will never collide. Scrabble, bad puns, shaggy dog stories and there is a line from the Simpsons to answer everything. I am open to suggestions for new name.”

“I have a equinox 3000 cube pack I will be listing on Ebay...ya interested... cheap...light weight...goto www.backpackingdeals.com for a pix...

PS
"Newbie" is Spelled NOOOOOOOBIE...

And Don't listen to bacpac he had me runnin' in circles!!! lol”