A woman's advice

“Ok ladies, help me out here. I have finally talked my sister into going backpacking with me, but she's not so crazy about sleeping on the ground and gonig with out a shower etc. What really has her interest is getting out away from the tourons at the TH and getting to see something a little less spoiled but human presence. I'm super excited about doing this, and I know she can handle it physically as she is in great shape, but I don't want the mental factors and the comfort level to fall off too far and I break her. I need to know about some of the little things that may help you feel a bit more comfy in camp, or while hiking so I don't totally scare her away. However I have absolutely no intentions of pampering her. She is a strong adult. We are hiking in about 1 month so the weather will still be warm, and this is just a starter trip so any little thing that may have helped you in the past would be welcome info.
Thanks.”

“-GOOD food for dinner
-maybe a treat in camp... chocolate or her favorite alcoholic drink
-Don't go *too* far on the first time out
-make sure she has a good sleeping bag and pad
-bring wet wipes (trail shower)
-go somewhere that has amazing views and/or is in full bloom
-Don't let her overpack!
-tell her to bring a change of sox for in camp (dry, warm feet)
-Don't go when aunt flo is visiting.
last edited: 8/14/07 9:03:20 AM”

“BA sleeping pad, a good camp pillow (thermarest brand ) and having a sleeping bag that opens up so you can use it as a blanket is a really good option too. Lots of unscented wet wipes are a good thing. Comfy camp shoes/ sandals. A good camp chair or something similar. Fresh changes of skivvies are a must for me.

Other things depend on where you are going.”

““-GOOD food for dinner
-maybe a treat in camp... chocolate or her favorite alcoholic drink
-Don't go *too* far on the first time out
-make sure she has a good sleeping bag and pad
-bring wet wipes (trail shower)
-go somewhere that has amazing views and/or is in full bloom
-Don't let her overpack

Excellent advice,if my wife comes along I usually have a campsite near a lake where she can go swimming,and "freshen" up.”

“One big thing for comfort ...








wait for it ...









a hammock”

“a hat and pony tail holder so she doesn't have to worry about her hair.”

“All good advice. One thing that helped me get to sleep in the woods the first few times was to follow the same routine in the same order that I did at home. You know, wash face, brush teeth, read book, etc.

Oh, and benadryl helps too.

You are a good brother meangreen.”

“I like dove wipes. I can cram five in a film canister and they are a bit nicer than the standard wet wipes. I also let them air dry and add water at camp sometimes.”

“ok, i'm not a chick but what is more interesting for my wife when we hike is if i pick a "destination" hike, i.e. pick a hike that you actually go to see something like a cave, water fall, old farmstead etc...it's a little better than, as my wife calls it, "walking in the woods"”

“Thanks folks.
Most of you know that after you do a few trips you find that you don't feel like you "need" many of the comforts, and that is a comfort in itself, but you remember how your first trip was.

She's an athlete. She runs marathons, races a raod bike, etc. But she still has a ways to go when it comes to cooking, and sleeping in the dirt. I think this is something we could really have a lot of fun doing together, but I have been ramping things up lately on my own hikes and am worried that I may get a little intense for her. I will be overseeing everything she brings so she4 won't carry too much. Maybe one of Dicentra or Sarbars killer recipes for dinner, and then some liquid sleep aid...

That's a good one Creek Dancer. I don't want her to get the "what was that" syndrome after it gets dark, and a good nights sleep was already a big concern. That may help.”

“I can help out, in some ways”

“Earplugs are good too.”

“umm CD does this mean that MG snores?”

“I do but not terribly bad. Of course her being my sister, she snores too. It's a genetic thing. (though CD wouldn't know)

I need to hike with more of you guys...”

“LOL, I have no idea if he snores! But earplugs drown out the outside noises and that might help her sleep.”

“Let me know if you'd like ideas or help on the food. :)”

“Keep the trip no longer than two nights out. One night really isn't enough to get a feel for it and two might be her limit for sleeping out/not showering. Be out early on day three followed by a huge breakfast.”

“That'd be great Di. I am fine with basic sustenance on most of my trips but it would be pretty cool to do something a little extra, and show her that it doesn't have to be "twigs and berries". I don't do dishes though so it would need to be ready to eat or freezerbag style, until the last morning. We wont be going into predator country so I'm not worried about the smell of packing out dirty dishes. I guess a little prep time at home would be ok.

I guess what I really want out of this trip is to show her how comfortable, and spectacular and peaceful, and secluded backpacking can be. I want it to be a varied trip with lots to see and do, and also to have some decent miles so that it is a fun challenge. I'm thinking about 8 miles per day but she could probably handle a little more.

Right now I'm leaning toward Red River Gorge. The Rough trail around to the suspension bridge. We would camp out on pepe's point. I did this trip with Crash back in November and loved it.She doesn't want to climb, or cave but does like the big views. Her real interest is in North Manitou Island but I think a somewhat less "comitted" trip would be better for her first time out.”

“Just make sure theres a nice payoff at the campsite, like a pretty lake, great view, waterfall (waterfalls are killer). Don't let the campsite look like the trailhead minus the cars - learned that lesson the hard way a while back.”

“If you are only going for one night, you can do dishes when you get home! ;)

Go check out my site and Sarbar's. TONS of ideas there. Most of my stuff can be converted to FBC too. :)”

“Meangreen,
Does she have the right equipment? I might has some she could borrow to see if she likes it or not before she invests a lot of money. Let me know. Everyone knows I like my comforts. lol
last edited: 8/14/07 11:39:36 AM”

“At this point I'm thinking: Drive in, camp, get up, hike most of the day, camp, get up, hike half the day, drive home.

All my nhikes will have a pay off of some kind. Getting out of Indiana has done that for me. No more will I hike in endless trees just to get to camp to see more trees, and hike the next day to see... trees. screw that. I can do that at home.”

“Hey thanks for the offer Windi! I thin kI have it all covered and she isn't buying anything, but if I think of something I'll let you know.”

“I have to have my girl things when I hike...
...mirror
...lip gloss (chapstick)
...hairbrush
...moisturizer
...extra panties
...some eyemakeup
...but most important is...
........baby wipes!!!!”

“eye makeup?

Of all that stuff, that is the one I truely do not understand. Trust me hon, the trail don't care if you have pretty eyes.”

“cutup onions and peppers at home. Triple seal them in ziplocks...but they'll still smell. Take lots of stove fuel. At camp sautee them in fajita seasoning and olive oil for 15 minutes or so, when tender mix in a pack of chicken, cook a bit more until it quits looking like foil pouch chicken. Spoon onto tortilla with shredded cheese and maybe tomatoes. If you use non-stick the cleanup isn't that big of a deal.”

“How will the shredded cheese hold up in 85+ temps? I would think after a day and a half in the pack it would be a solid glob of oily goo. I would think the peppers would be a little wilty too, no?

It sounds great though. Maybe I could do that the first night.”

“Yes, this is a first night meal. You want those onions in your pack for as short a time as possible.”

“LOL! I found out just what 8oz of asiago cheese smells like after 3 80degree days in the side pocket of my pack this summer. I still ate it, but whew! it was aromatic! LOL!”

“...hey...why can't I take eyemake up...I carry my pack...lol..hahahahahaha”

“Hey MG, I thought you would be off from work today?!”

“I pack deoderant too!!!!!!”

“pshaw. It isn't just the women. My new hubby packs shaving cream, deodorant and toothpaste. :p”

“My boss is on med leave with cancer so I'm filling in on one of my days off every week, Windi. It's gonna make for a long 5 months but it also means I can actually afford my babysitter bill. It's a viscious cycle...


Divinity: You can take it, I just have no clue why you do.
You haven't bathed in two or three days but you eyes are beautiful, even though there is no one around to see them that could possibly care. LOL! I'm sure it is just one of those female habit/security things that I will never understand so I should just smile and say "yes dear" to. LOL!”

“There's a test L'Oreal didn't account for. 18 mile days for a week at 80* with 60% humidity. I'd look like a raccoon inside of 5 miles. ;)

Can't see adding "my eyes" to the list of morning camp tasks before heading out either.

How can it not get all gooey and run all over the place?”

“That's exactly the same problem I've had in the past Spindlette. That's why I quit wearing it. ;)”

“Horrible isn't it? They should make it sweat, bug juice, rain, and trail dust proof. Slackers.

I can only imagine that sweating up the cosmetics only makes you look worse than being makeup-free. Stuff slides around, ya know?

I've given up packing mirrors for just that reason. I don't want to see for myself.

;)”

“There's a test you will never see in advertivements. Make up that can stand up to 8-10 miles of backpacking in the heat. That would be a real test. lol
I want to go hiking!!!!”

“Hush up! you are going in a day or two anyway!”

“No I'm not. I was suppose to be in Colorado right now, but our flight got cancelled.”

“I'm heading out tomorrow night.

Maybe I'll pack my full makeup kit this trip and see how it works.

Nogranola would do my eyes for me if I asked nice. Not without taunting though, I'm sure.

;)”

“Make them look like raccoon eyes. That way you won't know the difference. Besides it might help scare off any wild life.”

“{8-0 HOLY CRAP! What a bummer Windi! Did Stomper make it? That just sucks. Such are the dangers of traveling non-rev.”

“Nope. The person who got us the buddy passes, quit on Friday. So our reservations were cancelled.”

“good, fresh food: steak and stir fried veggies for dinner, apple crisp from scratch, toasted bagels with butter, cheese and canadian bacon for breakfast

good nylon clothes, raingear, and jacket appropriate for the weather and area

a shower bag would be a great treat for her (if you carry it)

wet wipes and/or face cloth to clean up with.

good coffee from grounds, not a tea bag affair.

fairly short distance to a scenic destination. Even a super fit athlete will be using different muscles than she is used to, or may get blisters, or sore shoulders, so keep is very reasonable in distance and elevation gain.

cold pop or beer in a creek near the car for when you get back to the car”

“We do need to remember he's planning a trip for his sis, not his gf. I'd carry my wife's beer. My sis can carry her own.”

“BOB That is a genius idea! I could sink a 6 pack in the river when we set up the shuttle. If I do it right no one will know it's there till I haul it up. Now that would be cool.”

“They make a foundation preparation which, when used properly, with the appropriate powder and set will stand up to the heat and the grime of the trail. But it must go on first and then each successive layer is treated with a special set powder to make sure it stays in place as a bright and perfect as when it first went on.

I bet you are all wondering how some Babdis preacherman would know this....

It is used by circus clowns and other professional clowns (I used to be one) to make sure their make up is always ready to be seen. Works wonders, but is a real pain in the tuckus. I strongly recommend the "no make up on the trail" approach.”

“A good point DH. I already told her I am NOT pampering her, I just though it would be nice for her to actually see the limitless possibilities that come with the backpacker life.”

“Thanks Rev! With those tips I could bring my fri nite club kit.

;)

ok..maybe not...”