View Full Version : Shake Down Hikes
kayak karl
09-02-2010, 19:45
i don't hear too much talk about this to the new hikers anymore. i learned about them on Rock's site 3 years ago. making a gear list. hiking and them checking off stuff you didn't use.
going 2 nights so you know you can repack correctly (easy to stuff pack and go to car)
even did some 4 days with resupply.
i did it all in South Jersey LOL
How do you do your shake down hikes?? and Why??
I've done two shake down hikes on the LHHT. One over nighter and one for three days. Going to do another three days this weekend.
I'm doing them to check on my conditioning because I have no hills near home to train on. Also getting use to using my tent, water purification and other gear. Also to get an idea of what food to take and how much.
These short hikes give me some experience and also there are plenty of opputunities to bail if an emergency should arise. I plan on extending the duration of the hikes until I feel comfortable with a couple of weeks. If I'm still having fun then I'm going ahead with planning for a thru hike.
Lone Wolf
09-02-2010, 21:04
i don't hear too much talk about this to the new hikers anymore. i learned about them on Rock's site 3 years ago. making a gear list. hiking and them checking off stuff you didn't use.
going 2 nights so you know you can repack correctly (easy to stuff pack and go to car)
even did some 4 days with resupply.
i did it all in South Jersey LOL
How do you do your shake down hikes?? and Why??
have no idea what a "shakedown" hike is. just load up a pack and go walkin' and add or subtract as you go. doin' a "shakedown" does not give one a better chance at long distance walkin'
Raul Perez
09-02-2010, 21:20
I use shake down hikes to gauge the effectiveness of my equipment on an overnighter or 3 day hike. Allows the user to become familiar with new equipment and gets the learning curve out of the way for when you decide to go on longer treks. It also allows you to determine any shortcommings of your equipment as well.
If I ever did decide to do a thru hike (section hiker for now) I'd rather be familiar with my equipment and know the limitations now than find out for the first time on a thru hike.
Lone Wolf
09-02-2010, 21:24
If I ever did decide to do a thru hike (section hiker for now) I'd rather be familiar with my equipment and know the limitations now than find out for the first time on a thru hike.
doesn't mean you'll make more than a week on the walk
Lone Wolf
09-02-2010, 21:26
i love to golf but i know i can't buy a par round. all this shakedown stuff leads to failure
kayak karl
09-02-2010, 21:33
i love to golf but i know i can't buy a par round. all this shakedown stuff leads to failure
i know you can't buy a thru, but you never drive balls on the weekend?
IronGutsTommy
09-02-2010, 21:33
i thought a shake down hike is when youre inadvertantly joined by some yogis shaking you down for extra food and spare change! Get away from me kid, youre bothering me!
Raul Perez
09-02-2010, 21:42
doesn't mean you'll make more than a week on the walk
True. But you also know nothing about me or my resolve to stay on the trail. All you see is whats on your screen and a quick judgement made.
HYOH
Lone Wolf
09-02-2010, 21:44
True. But you also know nothing about me or my resolve to stay on the trail. All you see is whats on your screen and a quick judgement made.
HYOH
just go hikin'. no practice needed
I guess I call it a shakedown hike when I'm mostly out there to try new gear or to eliminate gear. Any other hike is for physical training and/or recreation.
pattydivins
09-02-2010, 23:22
just go hikin'. no practice needed
You must not really put too much thought into what you post on here. Practice for a new hiker would provide an enormous amount of benefits. If given the option, a practice hike before a 6 month thru-hike is a completely logical course of action.
I do shake down hikes when trying out new gear to insure I know how to use it in safe conditions (rather then finding out when I really need it) and whether or no it will work for me. A few months before I thru-hiked the PCT, I took all my gear out on a final trip in cold snowy weather to test if he could handle what I thought was the worse weather I'd likely see. I was happy with the results with one small exception that I corrected before I left on my hike. When I hike the AT, I'll likely go out for several days for the same reason since I'll likely be making some gear changes.
IronGutsTommy
09-03-2010, 00:51
raul.. great videos on youtube man. thought youd look more spanish tho idk y. come to think of it ive only seen white folks on my hikes and on the galleries here. Im sure the minorites are out there, look forward to meeting some
Maybe if Lone Wolf would practice golf a little more often he would get closer to a par round.
IronGutsTommy
09-03-2010, 01:25
allen iverson didnt like to practice either, and look how far it got him... oh yeah, no rings, no team
Raul Perez
09-03-2010, 02:32
raul.. great videos on youtube man. thought youd look more spanish tho idk y. come to think of it ive only seen white folks on my hikes and on the galleries here. Im sure the minorites are out there, look forward to meeting some
I'm from Spanish and Dutch decent. Guess which genes kicked butt during my creation
Graywolf
09-03-2010, 03:52
Seriously, I have been working eith a friend of mine here and we have found some great places to do shakedowns. I think it is a good chance to get to know your gear before you head out on the trail. We have a 14 mile trail not far from us, with ample room to practice what we will do on the trail. I think tis would be great
daddytwosticks
09-03-2010, 07:33
Every hike I take is a "shakedown" hike because I learn something new every time I walk the trail. :)
Hikes in Rain
09-03-2010, 07:53
So far, my shakedown hikes have taken me from Springer to I-40. :)
I do shakedown hikes all the time. Anytime I experiment with something. Almost all my hikes become shakedowns because I enjoy trying new equipment. Additionally, if I make a change to my stove, I test it at home until satisfied it's worthy to take on a shakedown hike.
flemdawg1
09-07-2010, 12:16
I think the greatest value of shakedown hikes are for the complete newbie that has never backpacked before. As LW said its just walking, but a small factor (the day to day mental grind being the largest) in one's LD hiking success is learning how to deal with the unexpected, that comes from experience.
remington79
09-07-2010, 16:33
WE did shakedown hikes all the time while in Boy Scouts getting ready for Philmont. This gave us another oppertunity to see what gear worked and what didn't. It also gave one a chance to make adjustments to their packs and another chance to further break in their boots.
I like backyard shakedowns, especially with new bags, new gear, new stove or food. Always an excuse to camp out. With my last bag purchase, I tested it's zero rating on a 17 degree night in a snowstorm in my summer tent....it took a few nights to tweak the clothing/pad comfort level to super cozy. Rather do it on a close to home hike ( or backyard) for a bag or tent test then 15 miles in on a three day hike with issues :)
Plus, I like to fuss with my gear, talk about my gear, hang out with my gear, test my gear, switch my gear, weigh my gear, you know the drill!
Two Tents
09-07-2010, 19:05
I enjoy any chance to get with my gear, backyard or trail. I like to hike so why not. Call it what you want. Even an overnight hike reminds me how much I get from backpacking.