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  1. #1
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    Default Advice for a newbie?

    A friend and I are planning to hike the New Jersey portion of the AT sometime this summer, any advice on gear/trails/anything at all would be very helpful.

  2. #2
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    http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...s/12659?page=4

    Hmmmm, not a whole lot more to say about a gear list. I'd try to do a couple shakedown hikes if you can before you go otherwise you'll prolly carry way too much and cuss a lot on the trail....... Good luck.
    Last edited by Spokes; 04-14-2012 at 22:02.

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    That actually doesn't look too bad, I was more so worried about carrying too little haha. Thank you!

  4. #4
    Registered User Wise Old Owl's Avatar
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    Welcome use the quick search... make a few friends....
    Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.

    Woo

  5. #5
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Wrote this a while back...maybe it will help?
    http://www.pmags.com/backpacking-a-beginners-primer
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mags View Post
    Wrote this a while back...maybe it will help?
    http://www.pmags.com/backpacking-a-beginners-primer
    Thank you for that, I guess I should have mentioned that we are both boyscouts and I have some experience backpacking in New Mexico (90+ miles). I guess I am looking for more AT related advice rather than just general.

  7. #7
    Registered User Sandy of PA's Avatar
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    A good part of the trail in NJ is a swamp. Bring lots of bug spray!

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Minderbinder View Post
    Thank you for that, I guess I should have mentioned that we are both boyscouts and I have some experience backpacking in New Mexico (90+ miles). I guess I am looking for more AT related advice rather than just general.
    You should read mag's article.

  9. #9
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Minderbinder View Post
    Thank you for that, I guess I should have mentioned that we are both boyscouts and I have some experience backpacking in New Mexico (90+ miles). I guess I am looking for more AT related advice rather than just general.
    That will certainly help.

    Was it Philmont by any chance?

    Beautiful area.

    But, organized boy scout trips may be a bit different than self-organized backpacking trips. I was a boy scout once as well...and found out the hard way.

    (Never backpacked in Philmont..spent time in the general area well after my Boyscout days! )

    Good luck...and have fun!
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  10. #10
    Registered User dzierzak's Avatar
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    Another Mags article - more AT specific

    http://www.pmags.com/a-quick-and-dir...alachian-trail

    If it was Philmont in NM, I've done both Philmont and sections of the AT. A lot of differences but hiking and backpacking are very similar anywhere. The planning part is way different.
    Last edited by dzierzak; 04-17-2012 at 10:39.

  11. #11
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    New Jersey was a pleasant surprise when we hiked it with a lot of ridge walking so you should be able to make pretty good time. Part of the trail takes you through a bird sanctuary as you hike through the drowned lands. You'll also go over a pretty long boardwalk at one point. I can't remember the route number but there's a pretty good farm stand just off the trail where you can get fresh fruit, veggies, ice cream and what not.

  12. #12
    Registered User LIhikers's Avatar
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    Let mesuggest you hike the A.T. from Delaware Water Gap to the Bear Mountain Bridge in New York. That's a little over a 100 miles, or just more than 10 miles a day.

  13. #13
    Registered User oldbear's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LIhikers View Post
    Let mesuggest you hike the A.T. from Delaware Water Gap to the Bear Mountain Bridge in New York. That's a little over a 100 miles, or just more than 10 miles a day.
    One of the nice things about this hike are that both ends of it are readily accesible using public transportiaton

  14. #14
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    Don't carry a lot of food

    Bellvale Dairy

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mags View Post
    Wrote this a while back...maybe it will help?
    http://www.pmags.com/backpacking-a-beginners-primer
    This is great! I am sharing it with all our scouts. We will be going on a 2-day trip next weekend (20 mile loop of the North Country Trail and Manistee River Trail). About 6 of them are new to backpacking. Thanks for sharing!

  16. #16
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    my first ever hike was in this section starting at the rt 80 trailhead and I my friend and I each carried about 80 pounds a piece. man that sucked, lol. Its a beautiful area, crawling with bears though so def hang your food.

  17. #17
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    P.S. troop 86 represent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. #18
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    Do a lot of study on WB and read the articles. This would be a real good way to prepare and obtain info on all the changes that have come to backpacking since our BSA days.
    "Something hidden. Go and find it. Go, and look behind the Ranges. Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you . . . Go!" (Rudyard Kipling)
    From SunnyWalker, SOBO CDT hiker starting June 2014.
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