Article: Basic Advice For Newbies

[SunnyWalker]

Well, I was never taught that I guess. And Outward Bound is not the cure all end all, but is really, really, really neat. I learned that there and remember one day when a fellow left his ice ax. We all waited while he went back several miles to fetch it. So maybe this sticks out in my mind. Have a great one. -SunnyWalker

[Programbo]

My advice for newbies is to not be in a hurry...Start off taking some day hikes (Maybe there`s a hiking club in your area that sponsors hikes) or hook up with some other local hikers for day hikes...Then proceed to short over night trips..Then 3-4 day trips..Take a number of them..Maybe even a week long trip...Learn from these what you use and don`t use and what weight feels good to you.

[dvhiker]

A lot of good information for us "Newbies". You answered a lot of questions. I can't wait until May, 2008 to begin "walking"....

[CrashIntoThings]

Hey there! I am a new inexperienced hiker (as in i've never gone hiking before), and I am just being eaten up with my anticipation to do this thru-hike. However, seeing as how I have never done anything beyond camp in the woods in my whole life, I was hoping someone could take me under their wing and help me out. I have no idea what I should be planning to take or what I shouldn't be taking with me. Maybe some people could send me their gear lists so that I could compare it with my own...

P.S. this was a really informative posting and the only reason I'm putting this request out there is because it just dawned on me how little I DO know.

Thanks guys! Sarah Louise

[SGT Rock]

Check out this article: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...311#post132311

[Mags]

P.S. this was a really informative posting and the only reason I'm putting this request out there is because it just dawned on me how little I DO know.

Thanks guys! Sarah Louise

Hi Sarah!

We all have to start somewhere. On my first trip, I became lost, had the wrong equipment...and enjoyed myself anyway.

Every year, I lead a beginners backpacking trip. A chance to go out into the woods overnight and have an enjoyable time...hopefully not making some of the same mistaskes I did.

Here's a doc that I have the people read.

Good luck...and have fun!

[_terrapin_]

Here's a doc that I have the people read.

That's a wonderful synopsis, Mags.

[High Life]

ok about my thru hike - no planning , no expectations go and keep going ,
you dont need all the advice and planning just the will the trail will take care of the rest .. of course common sense ... i thought about it on the 3 rd of june trail on the 10 th and away you go .. dont think about it much thinking will hurt you more than anything

[CrashIntoThings]

Hey, WOW! That was really helpful. Whenever I go to REI for gear I am just buying the basics. I have a nice stove, sleeping bag and my boots. I am a little intimidated by the clothing section, it's big and a little daunting. The hand out helps though. I appreciate it. hey guys, is a 15+ degree down sleeping bag warm enough??

[SGT Rock]

Hey, WOW! That was really helpful. Whenever I go to REI for gear I am just buying the basics. I have a nice stove, sleeping bag and my boots. I am a little intimidated by the clothing section, it's big and a little daunting. The hand out helps though. I appreciate it. hey guys, is a 15+ degree down sleeping bag warm enough??

Before you spend money read this article: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...678#post206678

15F bag should be good depending on how you sleep.

As to clothing - that is hard to help anyone on since people are so different when it comes to this. What works for me down to the single digits would only keep my wife warm into the 30s. My reccomendation is you do this:

1. Find some clothing you already own that you like to wear in cold weather.

2. Post a proposed gear list in the Gear Forum once you have an idea of what you want to carry. Use the feedback to refine that down.

3. Do a shake down hike or camping trip with the gear you plan to use.

4. Modify your packing list and change items based on those results.

[Marta]

3. Do a shake down hike or camping trip with the gear you plan to use.

IMHO, this is the most important thing you can do to prepare yourself.

If you can make it through a few preparatory three-day hikes, you have a decent shot at making it through the whole AT, which can be viewed as a very long (very, very long) series of section hikes. Advice from others can be helpful, but it's you that has to do the hiking and make the decisions. The better you prepare yourself to do that, the better off you'll be.

[RockStar]

I had never even slept in the woods overnight before and started a Thru. I wish I had gotten in some overnighters first and worked out my own system and such before heading to Springer. It would have given me the experience needed to take preparing physically more seriously. Even if a small problem occurs it can become a big problem when you are in the middle of the woods. My hiking partner had been camping before and HATED hiking. So everyone is different. Like many, I will go back even if time and money only permit sectioning. ENJOY yourself!

[frankski]

I have been giviing the AT hike allot of thought , and need some info on who,what and where. thanks all have helped

[frankski]

Hey Thanks was allot of good info , This is one of many good writtings on the trail . Already working out in a fittness center. Still working on the rest of the planning

[superman]

I camped with three young men the first night after the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comNOC</SPAN></st1:stockticker>. Their feet looked like hamburger and they could barely hike ten miles a day. So I asked them some questions. They had no problem with blisters before starting the AT wearing the same hiking boots. When one of the guys put his boots on, he lashed them down super tight so I asked him why he was doing that. An outfitter told them that that was what they should do to hike. I said "hiking is just walking, you've been doing it all your life...there is no reason to do it different, just tie your boots the way you usually do." They did that... their mileage increased and they finished way ahead of me. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
The point is to not make a big deal out of it. Do a pre thru shake down hike and be ready to adjust as needed. Life is good, don't make it a hassle by over thinking it.<o></o>

[dvhiker]

Lots of good info here. I have been researching for about 3 months and preparing to hike the AT in 2008. I am very excited and can't wait.....

Thank you for the time you spent putting together some valuable info.

[Bigboy!!]

what kind of stove should i really take, i want something small but good. i want it to be able to last aswell. so with that what are some good ones?

[bostral]

hey

where are the tables you reference ?
thanks

[SunnyWalker]

Solemates: I just re-read this post and thread and apologize for what I wrote earlier. Geeeeeez, I must have been having a bad hair day. I'm sorry. Real dorky of me. The info is great and I really appreciate it. Thanks and again I apologize.
-SunnyWalker

[PatrickONeill]

That's actually longer than my journal from my entire trip. Probably more useful, though.

I would LOVE to see your journal from your trip, and do you know where I can find other people's actual journals?

I think they would probably be more valuable than anything else.