My first hike....and a hiking video game ...

“Well, I got back last weekend from my first real trip. I had been doing some little 3-mile one night jaunts to familiarize myself with my equipment, but boy was I unprepared.

I have two Gregory Reality backpacks with a large and a medium shoulder harness. I'm 6' 4". The friend I took with me (also his first) is also 6' 4", but has slightly broader shoulders than I do, so we fitted him in the large, leaving me with a medium.

We went to the LBL (Land Between the Lakes) and planned on doing the North/South trail (60 miles) in 4 days. I'm not sure what we were thinking. I asked previously on this board and everyone told me 8-10 miles was good, but 16-20 was crazy. ONE POSTER said that without elevation changes 16 miles a day was quite plausible. Somehow I payed attention to that one post versus everyone else's bodes of warning to go slower. I also now understand that lack of extreme elevation changes doesn't mean that there aren't tons of steep up and down hills littering your trail.

So...day 1, 19 miles. My shoulders feel practically destroyed from my backpack because of the medium sized harness. I have a hard time raising my arms to setup the tent when we finally find a suitable campsite. The map marks springs along the way, and we had planned our camping spots ahead of time, but the springs didn't exist.

I also used a pair of Smartwool Hiker socks. MAX comfortable, but are your feet supposed to sweat that much in them? I don't normally have sweaty feet, but the Smartwools kept them nice and slimy. Yum. Or would my boots be to blame?

Both of us hurt, and awaking to day two wasn't much better. We were so stiff it took at least an hour of walking for our muscles to warm up. At the end of (hot) day two, we had gone another 20 miles, and the small muscles in my ankles had atrophied and every step threatened to twist my ankles or take me to the ground.

The next morning I was walking like an old man, and we wussed out and got on the cell phone and called for a ride to take us the rest of the way to our car.

Now, reading this, you would assume we didn't have a good time--but we DID have a blast. We'll just never schedule that kind of pace again, especially not on the first day. Some fairly crazy, and very entertaining things happened on the trail, which we logged in our journals--we're both amateur cartoonists, so it's a good read for others as well--and we got pictures, etc.

When I got home I remembered a thread on here a looong time ago about making a video game based on hiking. Well, it's happening. I'm making a console-style rpg (ie. Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior) based on our first trip. In it, I star as a chicken and my friend as a sheep. It covers our trek, and every incident along the way, including some embellished wildlife encounters. I hope to have it done within the month, but it's a tedious process. It will play on any windows PC and I'll try to make it available to anyone who might want it.

Back to my trip---I need suggestions, comments, insults, and recommendations from anyone who wants to give 'em. Re: backpacks, shoulder harnesses, socks, boots, walking, planning, springs, map reading, atrophied muscles, etc. thanks!”

“It`s strange that good can come from bad things, but it does happen. Your trip report is proof of that. You gained insight and can draw on hindsight as well now and you now have things to share from it all. It`s all good,...good on ya!”

“Hi Nafai, Great to hear you're getting out there! LBL n/s trail can be deceptive can't it? I wish I had known your plans, I could have helped you out, I've done the n/s trail many times. I live about 10 minutes from the North Welcome Station!

First, get a pack that fits! Have someone at an outdoors store measure and help you. If you live in the area, try the guys at Hoopers. How much weight did you have in the Reality? That pack wasn't designed for ultra heavy loads like it's bigger brothers Shasta and Palisade. Ot sounds as if you needed to use the load lifters to bring the weight more to your hips instead of your shoulders.

Smartwool socks make my feet sweat too, but they never get slimy. It was hot here this weekend, nothing is going to keep your feet from sweating. Try taking your boots and socks off during the day and airing them out on breaks.

Which map were you using? The blue trail map? There are many springs around LBL that run all year long, you just have to hunt for them sometimes. I have found that each established campsite has a year round water source but sometimes it is small and you have to really look to find it. You're never very far from the lake though! Learn water seeking plants and trees, they will lead you to the springs.

You must learn about vitamin I! LOL Ibuprophen does wonders for the ouches from the trail. You guys simply took on way too many miles, especially for the first time out. On that trail, I would plan for 10-12 miles a day, some people would do more but I enjoy backpacking...I don't enjoy marathons.

Other than that, just keep getting out there! Great report, reminds me of a few trips I took when I first started. We all do it, live and learn.

If you would like specific info on the LBL trails or water sources, email me and I'll be glad to help.”

“That's great, Bpbaby! I live in Metropolis and work at the mall, LOL. I'm actually getting out of the house right now to go to Hoopers to get the right sized shoulder harness.

We only had about 38-45 lbs. of gear, but it seemed stuffed pretty tight. Of course, we also along the way realized what things we absolutely didn't need for the next time.”

“That's too much weight for that pack! LOL Craig or Zack will be more than happy to help you and they know their stuff! Heck, I grew up in West Paducah, right across the river from ya! I'm only 22 miles from the mall now.”

“Nafai:
20 miles a day ...
with "only 38 to 45 pounds of gear"

Sounds brutal ...

This 40 pounds of gear was split by the two of you, I hope - you didn't each carry 40 pounds - did you ?”

“did you see any stinky hippies?”

“nafai, needless to say, your pack was the incorect size for you.

Everyone has their own limitations of how far they can go on a trail, so sometimes advise from others won't help.
Sixteen to 20 miles could make anyones feet feel sore.

Your feet's needs should always come first as they will take you in and out of the trail. I'm not familiar with that particular sock, but whatever sock you choose, you can wear sock liners underneath them to keep your feet from developing sore spots.

I've never hiked more than 12 miles, but I think I would try bringing a fresh pair of socks so you won't be traveling in the same sock that has been molded to your foot and keeps rubbing in the same area. If you have a lake or stream on the trail, stick you feet in for awhile and dry them well before putting your feet in them.

Wet socks can help create blisters.”

“hangman..yep, it was 37 lbs apiece, before filling up a 3-litre Platypus.

Turns out that not only were my straps the wrong size, but the pack was the wrong torso-size too! I've now been fitted properly for both (man what a difference!) and as soon as I can sell this medium-sized pack I'll be on my way to reasonable comfort.”

“Sock liners, nafai. I swear by them.

I know what you mean about those hills. They're rough on this flatlander. I don't need major elevation to kick my butt.

Most important, get back out there! It's great, ain't it?!”

“I would humbly suggest that you join a few of the ECT trips. From the first-timer to the old-timer everyone learns stuff when you gather together a dozen folks that consider backpacking a 'serious' hobby. At least 1/2 the talk around camp involves the comparison techniques and equipment choices. We have all had plenty of help when we were newbies and most of us consider it a duty to help others where we can.”

“ECT? Please explain...”

“I'm fairly new here too, but my understanding is that the ECT is the name the eastern people have given themselves...East Coast Trekkers. These guys do a lot of hikes and all you have to do to join in is show up! See Firey Gizzard, Cumberland Island and Wilson Creek threads for the most recent adventures.”

“P.S. I was in Hoopers today shortly after you left. Bought the MSR titan kettle. Tried to catch you but was too late.”

“Yeah man,
Come on outand join us on a trip. It's a fun bunch and you'll learn tips on every trip. I've been BPing for 12 years and I still pick up good info.
On your trip, the trail may have given you a good butt kickin, but I garantee you that yall learned alot. Make a few corrections and go back out there. Your next time will be much less painful.
I learned the hard way too!”

“wow, great report, naf! Live and learn...some of my best hikes' themesong.

We all had a first time, at some point and I know mine was somewhat painful.
Still, the joyful bliss that resulted from the hours of sweat and toil, the sleepless nights, outweighed the discomforts...
wait, are we still talking about backpacking...? ummm...anyway, congrats on losin' yer cherry.
heheheh

>;oP”