Any trips for a beginner near Chicago

“I have never gone before but would love to start backpacking and possibly climbing.

Anybody know of anywhere that is cool to go for a beginner that is near Chicago (to get my feet wet--then looking to jump into something more extreme)?

Thanks!”

“A good place to dayhike is the Indiana Dunes. Put a pack on your back with 20 - 30 pounds in it, then tackle the hills. You can get there by driving or by taking the South Shore train from Chicago. If you want more info, let me know.”

“You have come to the right place. There are a bunch of us in and around Chicago.

First, fill out more of your profile so you don't get floged as a troll.

Second, tell me what gear you have or don't have. If you are brand spanking new to this, and you are serious about starting, we can plan a small hike to get your feet wet. Don't worry if you don't have anything to get started. Most of us have 2 of the same thing and will loan you the gear needed for trip number 1.

If you enjoy yourself, we can talk about wht you will need to get started.

e-mail me with any questions
backpakn2@sbcglobal.net”

“dang... you guys are amazing! You are not abusing this guy... what's the deal???”

“We Indiana people are nice (unlike some of yous other guys!) ;)”

“We'll see if the troll...er...I mean Chad comes back.”

“I'm back...tried updating my profile but it didnt give me much to update. I just went to the top where it says edit account. Is there somewhere else to add more info?”

“Woundedknee--
I really dont have much of anything. I have gone camping a bunch of times but dont really have the best gear to use for backpacking.”

“Okay, no biggie. There are a few trips coming up in the near future around us. I will hopefully plan something for a weekend down in the Hoosier National Forest south of Bloomington IN for October.

Check out the trips section as well.

As for gear, you will need the big 3.

Pack
Tent
Sleeping bag

If you want to shoot me an e-mail, we can talk further.”

“Don't forget the other biggy...good boots or trail runners.



Chad, are you in the city or suburb? There are a lot of us in NW Indiana who work in Chicago and also quite a few in the Chi-town suburbs. Sometimes we meet during the week for lunch downtown.


Speaking of that, we should plan another one soon.”

“Good one Ruby, I can't believe I forgot that.

I miss lunch”

“Ditto that about checking out the trip pages. Sign up and go on a group hike.”

“I live by Harlem and the Blue Line but work in the burbs.

I'll shoot you an email Woundedknee b/c i need some help determining which pack etc. is good for me. I also dont know the best place to get fitted for a decent pack would be.

Thanks everyone”

“This is the kind of shoe I have right now, not exact but close. Are these good enough or should I buy something else?

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/4097045/c/59211.html
last edited: 8/22/06 3:10:50 PM”

“prolly not great for carrying around any significant weight on your back unless your ankles are already conditioned, but they should do for knockin around on a dayhike.”

“Currahee--the ankle thing is the only difference in the shoe...mine has a solid back on it.
last edited: 8/22/06 3:36:08 PM”

“I would wear that shoe for up to about 30# of pack weight in nonwinter condition.”

“Ditto what Stovie said”

“The shoes you listed above should work for a weekend trip, especially anywhere around here.

With regards to a pack, you should make a point to vist one of the REI's near us so they can fit you. They will measure your torso length and load a few up with weight. They you can hike around the store for a bit to see how they fit.

As for a tent, I can give you a bunch of suggestions, then you can go from there. Same this with a sleeping bag.

I believe there is a beginner section on this site someplace you should go through as well.”

“Do I get an External or Internal Frame Pack?”

“I have a Kelty Day Pack. Anybody know about their warranties though--the one strap is ripping off and about to go any second. It's about 5 years old though.”

“

Sometimes we meet during the week for lunch downtown.

Speaking of that, we should plan another one soon.”
Ruby
2:10:10 PM
8/22/06

“Good one Ruby, I can't believe I forgot that.

I miss lunch”
Wounded Knee

Yep, that's the Chicago area backpacking(?) bunch.

LOL.
last edited: 8/22/06 4:24:43 PM”

“You have mail!

Internal frames are more popular unless you are thriftyhiker.

Do you know what the name of the Kelty pack is? Red Cloud?

I would say chuck it. I don't know about their warranties, but I bet the will not fix it.”

“I have no idea but can check tonight.
Thanks”

“Definitely go to REI in Oak Brook or in Niles. It's worth the trouble to get there. As WK said, they will fit you for a pack and for whatever else you need. Check out their web site www.rei.com. The best part about REI is that you can return anything even after using it if it gives you trouble in any way. They are well known throughout the bp-ing community. You cannot go wrong with them. Spring for the $15 lifetime membership. You will earn a dividend check each year that allows you to get more gear. (We all become gear sluts eventually. You can't resist. It's like a drug.)”

“thanks for the info Ruby...that Niles one is really close to where I work so I'll probably stop by there today or tomorrow.”

“PATTON CAVE PATTON CAVE PATTON CAVE!!!


I am so in the mood....”

“I would say go with the external frames. The internal are so over rated. I dont know HOW CMB even talked me into getting an internal :(”

“Oakbrook..... home.... I grew up in Darien a zillion years ago. Or was it just in the 60's”

“hehehe graska grew up in a derriere. Heeheehee”

“So Chad, how was the Promised Land (REI)?”

“actually, i wasnt able to make it there last night--i opted to go golfing instead. I will definitely go there soon to get my measurements and look around.”

“Chad... wanna meet a lot of backpackers in a not necessarily backpacking, but primitive camping situation??? You could sure pick a lot of brains at one time on backpacking... (and another newbie might also be coming!)

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1056.php”

“lizs, the trip pimp. ;-)”

“Have you seen my flashy, long purple coat with faux fur collar?? LOL

Oh yeah, and I hope Chad's no cannibal when I'm talking about brain pickin'!!!!!”

“chad

i'd get the hell away from this website while you've got the chance.

the people on this site from the chicago area are all really weird and gross. none of them bathe on trips (even looong trips) and from what i hear they all talk politics around the campfire all night long.”

“lizs-I'll consider that trip--it sounds fun.

politics around a campfire doesnt sound to fun though sacco--not showering isnt so bad as long as they were deoderant though.”

“they don't wear deoderant anytime, let alone in the woods.

i'm telling ya man, buncha smelly political yapping, wierdos - every one of them.”

“Wait till you hit the east coast Chad. Bunch of Mary's! They don't wipe after number 2 and they steal your food while you sleep.

BTW - Check your e-mail.”

“why would i wipe the perfume trail my number 2 leaves behind?

and i only steal food from fat people. someones gotta help'm out”

“So I headed to REI last night--for 2 hours!

Tried on 3 packs with 35lbs and 1 with no weight:

Kelty Coyote: Felt good but seemed a little cheap: on sale for only $109.99 org. $150

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48000508&parent_category_rn=4500572&saleMode=1

REI Mars Pack '06: Felt good except the straps around my shoulders kind of dug into my chest and armpits a little to much.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48034748&parent_category_rn=4500572

Gregory Baltoro: Straps on shoulders felt better but the ones around the waist were really think and kind of felt like the insides were digging into me.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47980847&parent_category_rn=4500572

Osprey Crescent 110: This is the only one that he didnt load with weight b/c he just wanted me to feel the difference in quality and price. This pack felt really good, but once again, there was no weight and I only had it on for like 10 minutes. Way to big for me though...6,500 cu. in.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47880445&parent_category_rn=4500572#specs

I went to the one in Niles and he said the Oakbrook store is way bigger and would have a bigger selection. 2 guys I talked to, one was helping me but had to take care of something else so he send another guy to help me, both did not want to measure me for some reason. They said measurements arent as important as how the pack actually feels.

They are having a huge Labor Day sale so let me know if you see something that I should definitely pick up.

FYI: the guy at the Niles store also said they will be moving into a larger location around December by Willow and Waukegan Rd.”

“You might want to start a "need backpack adive" thread (or re-use an old one) to get more specific hits on this topic. A lot of people with valuable information might not open a Chicago thread.



That being said, whatever pack you do choose, if you buy it from REI and then use it for a couple trips and find that it cuts into your shoulders or wherever, then just return it for full credit or cash back. They're good for that.

I didn't follow my own advice when it came to packs however. I bought mine from ULA (http://www.ula-equipment.com/index.htm).”

“Thanks Ruby, will do.”