Perhaps a "Hiking Basics" Forum?

[Elaikases]

Or something similar with the following stickied threads:

1. There is no best shoe --it really does depend on your feet.

2. How warm is that bag/quilt /- and what ratings mean, what you will really need.

3. How often is resupply possible and why you shouldn't carry extra food.

4. Yes. You need to filter or purify your water and you need to carry more than just a liter.

5. All about hiking poles and your knees.

6. 36-40 lbs is not ultralight. All about through hiking, weight and likelihood of injury and finishing.

7. No. You can't just kick a cat hole in the side of the hill in many places. You need a trowel.

8. Which pack is the best (and what size should I get) -- it all depends on your body build and preferences,

9. Etc.

Lifted from another thread, but it would make a good sub-forum for a set of stickies on often asked questions.

Just a thought.

[Elaikases]

What topics are missing from that list? What would you suggest?

[illabelle]

The concept is probably good. Newbies need a way to find answers quickly.

On the other hand, what's the fun in that? It's much more entertaining to watch a newbie getting roughed up for asking a simple question. And what would we do with our time if we couldn't rehash every topic a dozen times each year?

[Heliotrope]

10. Do I need crocs to ford streams?

11. How much water should I carry?

12. What is the best stove?

13. Do I have to hang my food?

14. Why a quilt is better than a bag is better than a quilt is better than a bag..

15. Is Lone Wolf the ultimate hiking bad a**?

16. What should I buy with my REI dividend?

17. How many days does it take to hike the 100 MW?

18. Do section hikers truly deserve trail magic?

19. Is it okay if I blue blaze? Yellow blaze? Slackpack?




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[Tipi Walter]

Or something similar with the following stickied threads:


3. How often is resupply possible and why you shouldn't carry extra food.

6. 36-40 lbs is not ultralight. All about through hiking, weight and likelihood of injury and finishing.

7. No. You can't just kick a cat hole in the side of the hill in many places. You need a trowel.

Lifted from another thread, but it would make a good sub-forum for a set of stickies on often asked questions.

Just a thought.

Some of these are your opinion only. Since you titled this "Hiking Basics" in the General Forum---and not in the AT Thruhikers forum---(We have Other Trails here with non-AT backpackers who do just regular backpacking trips)---you can't assume that all hiking basics applies to long trail thruhikers.

That said, your comment "why you shouldn't carry extra food" is a purely subjective opinion on your part. Some backpackers want to stay out for 2 or 3 weeks without food resupply---and achieve a sort of unbroken connection to a "wilderness" of their choosing.

Your comment "36-40 lbs is not ultralight" is another purely subjective opinion, especially the comment about the likelihood of injury and finishing. Many backpackers carry in excess of 40 lbs and have great trips and wouldn't consider going lighter or consider using a lighter pack part of Hiking Basics. And they even finish their trips without injury.

Plus, I have learned that a cathole trowel is not needed when I can dig a deep cathole using the tip of my hiking pole as a claw to move the dirt for a hole. Just some thoughts.

And as far as AT Thruhiking Basics, Datto covered this exhaustively on a long-ago thread---
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...ing?highlight=

[MuddyWaters]

Simply pre-organize old posts by topic

If this site had a decent search function it would be easier

[illabelle]

...And as far as AT Thruhiking Basics, Datto covered this exhaustively on a long-ago thread---
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...ing?highlight=

Sadly, Datto hasn't been active on WB since that thread was closed. It was long-winded in places, and some got tired of it, but no one forced them to read it.

[Tipi Walter]

Sadly, Datto hasn't been active on WB since that thread was closed. It was long-winded in places, and some got tired of it, but no one forced them to read it.

I understand your comment as it became a sort of personal blog for him---and at times neverending. BUT . . . it's a fun read and educational, especially if you copy the whole thing (remember the Thread Tools with the Print Option??) and take it out on a backpacking trip to read and burn page by page (to lighten the load!).

But whenever someone who doesn't know about Datto's thread and wants to add hiking basics or tips here, I always try to link up to his exhaustive thread.

[Ethesis]

Sadly, Datto hasn't been active on WB since that thread was closed. It was long-winded in places, and some got tired of it, but no one forced them to read it.

I found Whiteblaze via that thread.

(And a topic: it is all just opinion -- 70 lb packs really aren't too heavy might be good too. ��).

But it might be good to make it easier on newbies.

[Ethesis]

And to break the topic areas up.

[egilbe]

How to use the search function

[Venchka]

How to use the search function

Those who need it the most would use it the least.
Coupled with "Search the Internet first."
Wayne


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[Click]

"Thread has run its course. Members are encouraged to continue discussions on these topics into more specifically focused threads in whichever subforums are appropriate. Thanks."

Oh my ...! There definitely is a lot of good stuff in those 14 pages of posts. Since I haven't ever hiked or camped out much of it (and counter opinions) was new to me. I'm glad the posts are still viewable - yes, I did save a lot to a MS Word doc. [71 pages double-sided :O ] and in 2020 I'll be reading it on the trail and then using it to 1) start a fire 2) clean scat 3) there are endless uses...

Thanks for including the link in the thread: best reading I've had today along with out and out laughter at some of the stories.

[Ethesis]

Those who need it the most would use it the least.
Coupled with "Search the Internet first."
Wayne


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Which is how I found Whiteblaze.

.

[Bansko]

Good idea. The nuts and bolts of backpacking can be intimidating to some who are new to it.

NOT SENT FROM MY IPHONE USING TAPATALK SINCE I DON'T HAVE A STINKIN' IPHONE.

[Venchka]

Which is how I found Whiteblaze.

.

My point: Many questions here could have been answered with an elementary internet search.
Wayne


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[Venchka]

Hiking Basics:
The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher.
Done.
Wayne


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[Ethesis]

Good idea. The nuts and bolts of backpacking can be intimidating to some who are new to it.

NOT SENT FROM MY IPHONE USING TAPATALK SINCE I DON'T HAVE A STINKIN' IPHONE.

not to mention sorting out good advice from bad advice can be difficult.

20. Yes, wool socks, wool in other places.

since internet searches told me to wear cotton and that goretex boots were essential, trail runners a mistake.

And a a five pound Gregory was the ultimate hiking backpack.

But that is obviously good enough for some. It just isn't for me.

[rocketsocks]

https://whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdi...eased-Articles

[Ethesis]

Spoiler alert.

The book only recommends boots.

Etc.

Hiking Basics:
The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher.
Done.
Wayne


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1968.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Walker

Might as well tell people all they need is to watch the movies version of A Walk in the Woods.