I NEED INFO ON BACKPACKING

“If you guys would be soo kind could u give me some info on backpacking. I have a couple questions like...
1. Where do you go? How do you decide?
2. What are the Dangers of backpacking?
3. What gear do you need? How much does it cost?
4. When is the best time to go?
5. What are somethings people should know before they go?
6. Anything that you think that would be helpful for a backpacking research project.
(^_^) THANK YOU SOO MUCH
P.S. I also need an interview with a backpacker so if u are a pretty experienced backpacker could u send me an E-mail at Bluecheez927@gmail.com if you are willing to get interviewed. (^_^)
last edited: 2/07/07 8:05:56 PM”

“1. I started backpacking on trails that were close to home. I bought a good guidebook and started hiking as many of the trails as I could reach. With time and experience I started going farther away. Then I hiked the Appalachian Trail as a six month thruhike. After I returned I continued backpacking on weekends and vacations. After doing some reading and a lot of hiking, I began making mental lists of places I wanted to hike, then year after year I hiked them. I still have a lot of places I want to hike - there are more trails than I will have time to hike in my life, but I keep on trying.

2. Dangers - the danger is less than most non-hikers imagine, but sometimes bad things happen. A few possibilities include weather (cold, wet, heat, lightning, snow), falling, animals (snakes, bears, etc.), other people, disease (lyme, west nile, other tick diseases), water borne sicknesses, food poisoning, etc. I've had a couple of close calls - but most of my trips have been trouble free.

3. Gear costs depend on what quality you can afford, where you are hiking and when. Basic needs include a pack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, shelter, cooking gear, food, water, maps, first aid kit, clothes, rain gear, etc.

4. Best time - depends on where you are hiking. In Florida or the desert - it is best to go late fall, winter or spring, in the eastern mountains, spring and fall are best, though you can go any time of year with the right gear, in the high mountains of the west or in the northern third of the country - July to September is best. If you enjoy playing in the snow, anytime is good.

5. Advice before you go: Start out slow and easy. If you can, start out hiking with people with experience. If not, find some really good books on backpacking (i.e. Karen Berger or Chris Townsend) and then experiment. Don't start out spending a lot of money on gear, because you may not enjoy backpacking. Borrow what you can, or rent it. You'll soon learn what gear you need for the kind of backpacking you want to do. Don't carry more than 1/4 your body weight on your back. With time you'll start lightening your load - but you don't have to start out ultralight.”

“1. Where do you go? How do you decide? - I go in the local mountains and the Sierras. I pic those places because I love the scenery and the solitude and they are within driving distance.

2. What are the Dangers of backpacking? - I think the biggest danger is actually bad weather if you are not prepared for it. Animals and people are not nearly as threatening as far as I am concerned. Getting lost could be high on the list, but if you know how to navigate and have a backup system, then you should be OK. Most people get lost because they do not know what they are doing.

3. What gear do you need? How much does it cost? - IMHO, it is mandatory you have a good fitting pair of boots, warm enough sleeping bag, sleeping pad to insulate you, appropriate shelter (tent/tarp/bivy), and a comfortable backpack. Don't go cheap on those things. The rest is personal taste. Lighter stuff costs more. Avoid cotton clothing.

4. When is the best time to go? - Anytime you can avoid intense heat or swarms of bugs. Many people prefer winter.

5. What are somethings people should know before they go? - Go with someone experienced before you go on your own.

6. Anything that you think that would be helpful for a backpacking research project. -
the more you know about first aid, the better. Read about where you are going, and you will get more enjoyment also.
last edited: 2/07/07 9:10:03 PM”

“man or babe?”

“Nowslimmer's gonna get ya.”

“I think the best thing newbies can do is go with others who have some experience backpacking. For starters, I would UNDERESTIMATE my ability. I know a lot of people who can walk several miles a day then when they get on a trail with a pack, they just fade away. Hiking with a full pack is a lot different than dayhiking.

Secondly, I would say your gear needs are as follows:

Footwear
Pack
Shelter (including appropriate sleeping bag)
Proper clothing (ask someone what cottonsocks will do to you....the kind you wear)

After that, you will spend a lot of time refining your other gear. See what people have and use and what you like/dislike about it before you buy a bunch of stuff that will sit in your closet.”

“1. Where do you go? Outside
2. What are the Dangers of backpacking? Being made fun of for using an external frame pack.
3. What gear do you need? How much does it cost?Tent, Pack, Bag, Boots/Shoes. Anywhere from $1-$5000
4. When is the best time to go? When your wife will let you.
5. What are somethings people should know before they go? How to get to the trailhead.
6. Anything that you think that would be helpful for a backpacking research project. Pay someone to do it for you and go hiking instead.”

“"When your wife will let you"

Ha, 8 months of marriage and already I understand that all too well.”

“8 years of marriage and the same for me.

Hey, nice pack thriftydork!”

“gotcha both beat...10 years, and i can't even get the words "Can I..." out of my mouth”

“Guys i cant tell u how much uve helped thanks alot. and for bearmagnet im a dude and even if i was a babe im way to yung for u. Anyway im still looking for an interview so if ur interested email me at Bluecheez927@gmail.com thanks

THANKS

P.S. im still looking for info so post on..”

“1. Where do you go? How do you decide? I use maps.
2. What are the Dangers of backpacking? Falling down and having someone break your leg.
3. What gear do you need? How much does it cost?Lots. Lots.
4. When is the best time to go?In the Rockies, middle June to middle September.
5. What are somethings people should know before they go?Don't forget your booze.
6. Anything that you think that would be helpful for a backpacking research project--gey out and try it, you'll like it.”

“koolkidinskool --> Have you ever hiked ANYwhere? The park? Are you in the city or out in the middle of nowhere. For me and my answers..

1. Where do you go? How do you decide?

I pick places I have not been. I pick places within a day's drive of my house. I typically go east because that is where all the mountains are.

2. What are the Dangers of backpacking?
None. LOLz. Ok, several. They've been listed above.


3. What gear do you need? How much does it cost?

There's a set of 10 essentials if going it alone. (If going with a group, some of those essentials are shareable.)

I own two sleeping bags, four packs, a few stoves and yada yada.. Good equipment costs money -- unless you get lucky and win some in a contest or something.

4. When is the best time to go?
For me fall, winter, and spring. I don't hike in the summer. (laughing at the earlier "if
my wife will let me go" comments) The next time I go is in less than a month.

5. What are somethings people should know before they go?

You don't know what you don't know... but mistakes like that can cost your your life. I try to prepare for whatver might come. (Weather is my prime consideration, and often won't "final pack" until I get to the trailhead.)


Bear Magnet: "and even if i was a babe im way to yung for u" LOLZ.. brusie that ego?”

“1. Usually to the nearest mountainous areas. I usually choose places because I've heard or read good things about them, or they seem convenient to try.
2. The dangers are mostly already covered. I'd stress hypothermia, and add getting lost.
3. Basic gear is already covered. Do a search for the "ten essentials" and you'll get lots of opinions. Here is one example:
http://www.backpacking.net/ten-essl.html
Go to ems.com rei.com or campmor.com for a good idea of the cost of things (these are also places people frequently go to buy stuff).
4. When is the best time to go? It really depends on what you like. You need more gear and need to be more careful about hypothermia in the winter. I avoid mud season - the mud is yucky and the trail is more fragile.
5. How to read a map and compass, what they are likely to encounter on their trip. I agree its best to go with experienced people first.

6. You might search "report" on this site to get some trip reports.”

“Like the Nike ad. Just do it. It's not rocket science. I survived my first trip as a senior in high school in Shenandoah NP, on and off the AT. 1973. Cooked on a camp fire, Wenzel tent and bag. Check out the beginners stuff on this site. Go hike, you'll do fine.”

“You must never leave home without at least one can of Spam!”

“Guys i cant tell u how much uve helped thanks alot. and for bearmagnet im a dude and even if i was a babe im way to yung for u.
koolkidinskool
12:41:12 AM
2/10/07

Damn. Why y'all talkin to a dude? And one that can't drive yet?”

“What happened to the kool kid? Did he get his report done?”

““gotcha both beat...10 years, and i can't even get the words "Can I..." out of my mouth”

After 14 years I just sneak out and call her from the trailhead.”

“LOL”

“LOL. yeah.. I have to get mine approved.”

“1.Where the spirit blows me
2.What do you consider danger?
3.As much or as little as you want.
4.Anytime and notime
5.How to follow a path of breadcrumbs
6.Pay my bills, I'll go hiking and I'll figure out a good project”

“What? Care to clarify that?”

“im not done yet :) its due on friday”

“5. What are somethings people should know before they go?

Never feel too secure about your outdoor ability/knowledge. It can get you hurt.”

“i turned it in thanks for all the help i owe ya'll an A+.”