Backpacking as a couple

[hikestofish]

Ladies and Gents,

I am not new to backpacking or spending time outdoors. I spent most of my free time outdoors since I was a child and have been backpacking solo since I was about 14 (I'm now almost 28). However, I have never really spent a lot of time on trails with a partner. I recently asked my girlfriend to marry me (before I went to Afghanistan) and now I would like to take her backpacking with me and have someone to share my experiences with. She likes the outdoors but has never really done any backpacking. I have no interest in putting 20 miles a day between us and my truck or having her do anything beyond a moderate level of difficulty. We live just north of Fayetteville, NC and I would like to take her into the mountains. Unfortunately I usually hike trails that are beyond a moderate level of difficulty to get to the areas that I like to fish in. If there is anyone that knows of some easier trails in the Boone/ Blowing Rock/ Banner Elk area would you please let me know? Also, if there are any backpacking couples out there that would like to give me some pointers, they would be much appreciated. Like I said, I usually go solo and have never really had to worry about someone else's pace or comfort. I'm in the Army and in my mind, comfort is secondary to accomplishing the mission (which when I'm in the backcountry is usually getting above a waterfall and into a headwaters area before 8 am). Thanks, folks!

James

[Capt Nat]

My wife recently started hiking some with me. We start walking and she starts talking. At 2 miles per hour she talks about 1700 words per minute. At my age, you just get numb to it.

[Velvet Gooch]

Your mindset and her lack of experience... fun times. Just sayin'

[hikestofish]

Thanks for the insight and helpful response. I'm sure I'll get a resounding response from the first sentence...With all due respect I'd rather people not comment on my mindset considering none of you know me or anything about me. When I'm not doing my Infantry thing I'm probably one of the most laid back guys you will ever come across. So, like I said, thanks for the well thought out and insightful response. Have a good day.

[Cookerhiker]

If "she likes the outdoors," then that's a good start. Lack of backpacking experience per se isn't necessarily a detriment. If she's physically i.e. aerobically fit, then starting on moderate-level hikes might work out.

My question is the camping/sleeping in the woods aspect. Have you discussed this? How does she feel about sleeping in a tent, cooking & eating typical backpacker's meals, getting dirty, no indoor plumbing, no showers or hot water? For just one night vs. 3-4 days vs. a week? Has she even car-camped?

[OzJacko]

I'm not in the North Carolina area (obviously a long way away) but I just did a search for "hiking north carolina" on Amazon in their books section.
There was several excellent looking cheap "hits" that may give you what you want.
Also I'm sure that in between the humorous comments about hiking with partners, some knowledgeable people will respond to your thread.
Personally, I would suggest starting with a simple well blazed trail to test the happiness to hike without putting the fishing etc into the equation to begin with.
Fishing = fishy smells. Women (generally) have enough trouble with the stink of hiking without throwing the extra smell in. Also be aware that "female issues" (not trying to be patronising) may need to be considered when timing your hike. i.e. check your available hiking dates against a "lunar cycle". The first hike is the one you have to sell the whole idea to her, don't get any of it wrong.

[T-Rx]

Hikestofish,
my wife is my #1 backpacking partner. We have been married for 36 yrs though and know each other thoroughly. There are great rewards in this as you mentioned such as the opportunity to share experiences that provide a lifetime of memories. We have always been outdoors, physically fit type of people. We camped and day hiked for years before discovering the joys of backpacking. So we started this new venture with the same level of experience and at the same relative level of fitness. So with all this being said I would suggest the following few simple things. Choose moderate trails to begin with and progress from there, don't hike too fast for your partner's comfort (you want her to have fun, this is not a mission), each person carries their own equipment but you can divide up things like cooking gear, food, water filtration and even parts of your shelter if it is a tent, divide the camp chores evenly, be there to assist her but each person must have a certain degree of self sufficiency. I am sure there are others out there that can also provide insight into this but that is my humble opinion. Hope it helps. Have a great hike!

[BabySue]

Moses cone / price lake. More of a camping + day hikes situation, but a good way to start.

[Rasty]

James

A first good overnight hike near you would be the Dutchman's Creek trail - Uwharrie Trail Loop. This is close to Charlotte NC

It can be done two ways

1) 42 Miles - 20.5 miles North to South Uwharrie Trail, Then 9.5 miles North Dutchman's Creek Trail, Then 13 miles North again on the Uwharrie Trail back to the car at the trailhead Highway 1306.

2) 18 Miles (Approx) - Trailhead at Highway 27. Dutchmans Creek trail North 9.5 miles then back down the Uwharrie trail for 9 miles.

Easy terrain on both trail, plenty of water and great camping sites. I did the 42 mile section in two and half days this spring.

PM if you interested and I can send more detailed information.

[coach lou]

Hikestofish,
my wife is my #1 backpacking partner. We have been married for 36 yrs though and know each other thoroughly. There are great rewards in this as you mentioned such as the opportunity to share experiences that provide a lifetime of memories. We have always been outdoors, physically fit type of people. We camped and day hiked for years before discovering the joys of backpacking. So we started this new venture with the same level of experience and at the same relative level of fitness. So with all this being said I would suggest the following few simple things. Choose moderate trails to begin with and progress from there, don't hike too fast for your partner's comfort (you want her to have fun, this is not a mission), each person carries their own equipment but you can divide up things like cooking gear, food, water filtration and even parts of your shelter if it is a tent, divide the camp chores evenly, be there to assist her but each person must have a certain degree of self sufficiency. I am sure there are others out there that can also provide insight into this but that is my humble opinion. Hope it helps. Have a great hike!

Excellent advise T-Rx

[Llama Legs]

Hiking on the AT, especially south of Hot Springs - I would plan on hiking shelter-to-shelter for her first trip. 5 or 6 miles is easy enough even with a medium load, but if you double that - you may cross over into being an ordeal for her (not good). Bring a little more camping goodies like playing cards, surprise treats. Just did this last week and it was fantastic. Of course the weather was awesome as opposed to say, today...

[HikerMom58]

Excellent advise T-Rx

T-Rx advise = awesome- along with many others!! Still amazes me when peeps make comments without even knowing the person they are commenting about. Wow, just wow!!

[Llama Legs]

I guess should have said "south of Watauga Lake" (Hwy 321)...

[Llama Legs]

oh, and bring lots of toilet paper

[Mags]

Start slow, take extra 'goodies' to make her feel comfortable and make a point of finding a beautiful camp spot and relaxing in it vs walking most of the day.

Basically, 'backcountry car camping' is what I found works for me and Mrs Mags.

I do my bigger and/or harder trips solo or with friends.

[WingedMonkey]

You want to name yourself GI-Joe and then ignore the problem is that you think you are GI-Joe. You really don't give a damn what would make her hike a pleasant experience.
If you want to take a partner to the trails you need to focus on the comfort level of the partner.

[10-K]

You want to name yourself GI-Joe and then ignore the problem is that you think you are GI-Joe. You really don't give a damn what would make her hike a pleasant experience.
If you want to take a partner to the trails you need to focus on the comfort level of the partner.

My only rule is that we have to go at least 20 miles every day, preferably 23-25. Other than that, I'm flexible.

[WingedMonkey]

You want to name yourself GI-Joe and then ignore the problem is that you think you are GI-Joe. You really don't give a damn what would make her hike a pleasant experience.
If you want to take a partner to the trails you need to focus on the comfort level of the partner.

My bad, I forgot the

[10-K]

My bad, I forgot the

I was going to say something but... you know...

[Aquonehostel]

Try a loop trail, if you have any problems on your hike they can be easily rectified because of the several exit points:

Longsdale Loop.jpg
North Carolina Longsdale Loop
5 Day, 58 mile hike:

"Hikers seeking a great hike should consider the 58 mile loop hike, utilizing the Appalachian and NC Bartram Trails, starting and ending at Aquone Hostel, Nantahala NC. 1-828-321-2340

Since this hike starts and finishes at the same place, Aquone Hostel can be used as a "base camp". This will allow you to take advantage of Aquone Hostel lodging and great home cooked country food, the night before and the night after the hike.

You can leave your vehicle at the Hostel and arrange a shuttle to the start point, arrange for pick-up along the route. Don’t forget to ask about our slack-packing, this way you enjoy the hike with the minimum amount of discomfort. 1 828 321 2340

Day One 8.1 miles: The hike starts out on the Bartram trail (BT) (Yellow Blaze) at Nantahala Lake (SR 1310) Aquone hostel will shuttle you to the start point and will advise where necessary. The climb out from the lake is very steep, so aim to take it easy, plan to have lunch at FR711, the hike from there is a lot easier. At some point the AT will join the BT and both trails will guide you to Wayah Bald, do spend some time at Wayah Bald Tower 5,342’ the views are outstanding. The AT and BT, will guide you from the tower, loosing height until the AT & BT go their separate ways. Note: The AT will turn left and the BT will turn right ( To Franklin), make sure you follow the White Blaze, not Yellow. A short distance down the AT you will come to Wayah Shelter 4759’, this is where you will spend your first night.
Day Two: Wayah Shelter to Wesser Shelter (10.6 miles), After a good night's rest and breakfast at Wayah Shelter a nice easy hike to Wesser Shelter 4115’, take the AT North to Cold Springs Shelter (4.8 miles) where I recommend you have lunch. Water is available here, be sure to treat or filter the water. Once again take the AT North to Telico Gap (3.6 miles). Please note this is a Hostel Pick-up point should you wish to spend the night 1-828-321-2340 you can call just before or from the gap, reception is poor so you may have to move around a little to get a decent signal. The distance from Telico Gap to Wesser shelter miles, is 2.2 with quite a hard climb to Wesser Tower 4,627 feet, so take your time, the views are outstanding so it’s worth the climb. Note: The Water Point is 150 yards above the shelter, and you will pass it on your way in so do stop and fill-up before arrival at the shelter.


Day Three: From Wesser Shelter to Sassafras Shelter 4330’ (12.6 miles) Take the trail North to the NOC SR 19 (5.7 miles), the trail is very strenuous practically downhill all the way and can be very demanding on your knees and ankle joints, so take your time. NOC (2,100’) is a great place to have lunch and they serve outstanding ‘Hiker-Burgers’. After lunch cross the bridge and rail tracks at the NOC and begin your ascent to Sassafras Shelter 6.9 miles where you will spend the night, take plenty of water breaks and frequent stops, because of the tremendous height gain.

Day Four: Sassafras Shelter to Percy Creek Campsite (15.8 miles) Take the AT North 1.1 miles to Cheoah Bald 5,064’ where the trail will join section 7 of the Bartram Trail, this is the Northern Terminus of the BT in NC, follow the white & yellow blazes until the AT will head North and the BT will head South, take the BT south (Yellow Blaze) descending 8.6 miles to the hydro ‘Power-Plant’ Nantahala White Water put-in point 2,212’. (Some of the trail will cross the railway track and follow a cycle trail for 1.5 miles. This is a good lunch spot and a Hostel Pick-up point should you wish to return to the hostel. Looking at the ‘Power-Plant’ the trail-head (section 6) is on the right, follow the gravel road up to the water tower, where the trail will then enter the forest, follow the trail 5.6 miles to Percy Creek campsite, there are several springs and creeks here, an ideal place to spend the night.

Day Five: Percy Creek Campsite to Nantahala Lake (10.9 & Finish) Head South on the Bartram trail to Appletree Campsite (5.6 miles), you will meet Junaluska Road and also a trail-head sign, this is also a Hostel Pick-up point. Continue by crossing the road and walk a 20 yards to your right, you will see the trail follows a gravel road to below Nantahala Dam (2.9 miles), from the dam base climb some steps and follow the trail into the forest, there are some great views of Nantahala Lake 3013’ as it takes you to your finish point (2.4 miles)

Enjoy your hike Aquone Hostel