a million questions

“my boyfriend is into backpacking, and it sounds fun to me so i'm willing to try it, but i have no idea what to expect. we are planing to go on the AT in a few years once i get some experiance. if anyone could help out with what i should expect, or a good first hike, or good gear for me, or just tips in general that would be great... thanks.”

“Hello, and welcome to TT. What should you expect depends a lot of your own personal likes/dislikes. A good first hike is one that you finish, and don't get hurt, or get too exhausted to finish. Good gear for you depends on too many factors, but for tips in geenral, here's a good place to start --> http://www.thebackpacker.com/beginners/”

“TownDawg offers good advice. So do others on this trip.

Begin with day hikes carrying a day pack, with EVERYthing you need for the day--4 hours at starts.

Let's see where that list is....

TP, clothes, food, OH AND WATER!. For starter”

“Definitely start out with day hikes, finding out whether or not you even like hiking. Expect to be slow at first, it does get easier. On your first backpack, you will probably only be able to go about half as far as you can dayhike - i.e. if you can dayhike 12 miles, don't plan on more than five or six for a first backpack. It will not be easy. My first backpack, even though I had been hiking (up to 17 miles) I hurt in every muscle in my body that first night. The second was only marginally better. The third night I actually enjoyed myself and the hike out on my fourth day I felt really good. So - persistence is important. Go as light as you can (but without expecting your boyfriend to carry all your excess gear - that's not fair.) My husband and I, between us, carry about 45 total, less in the summer when my pack, with food and water for a weekend, will be about 18-20 pounds. Take breaks every hour or so. Stop and listen to the birds, look to see what you can see, really be in the moment. The joy of backpacking is in the details - the chipmunk playing in the log, the smell of ripe ferns, the colors of the lichen and mushrooms against the logs. At first you may not sleep very well. Take Motrin before you go to bed to ease the aches and pains. After a while you get used to the moon as your night light, the coyotes serenading you to sleep, the lumps under your sleeping pad (you learn to conform your body to the lumps.)

I love backpacking - the more I do it the more I love it. If you don't love it at first, but you do enjoy hiking, keep trying. It gets better. If you don't like walking - then take up car camping instead.”

“thanks so much ginny... this was very useful advice and i can't wait until my first day trip. since i'm in michigan, there is no where to hike where school is. it is sad because i'm really starting to itch to start this, but have no place yet. i guess i will have to wait until the summer.
thanks again =)”

“Nowhere to hike in Michigan?? I bet several Michigan TT'ers would disagree.”

“or just tips in general that would be great... thanks.”
zoeebear33
4:53:13 PM
1/15/05

1. Post picture.
2. Dump bf
3. Move to DC
4. Hook up with SugardaddyBearmagnet”