Backpacking.....

[Blindside]

Thank you ....

As I was reading this thread, and the comments on carrying a weapon, I thought I must be nuts. I spend a pretty good amount of time outdoors, and here in the Northeast, we have black bears, but I just can't imagine carrying a firearm. I was thinking in some other parts of the country, maybe they need to do differently.

Oh, I can imagine carrying a firearm, and probably will once my son (and other future children) start going out into the field with me. I'm actually more concerned with cougar than bear, as an adult I'm not too worried, my kid(s) are something else entirely. Kids are small enough, and weird enough to attract attention from potential predators.

Lamont

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Wow! Lots of great advice. Thank you! Gonna take me a bit to process everything.

couple of quick comments:

guns - don't have a permit, and I believe the NY state parks don't allow em. But, I'll be carrying knives, and a sturdy walking stick. (old oak flagpole cut to size)

Group - possibly later. Initial trips will probably be my GF and me, but I'm totally open to hooking up with others.


Found these links,
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/survivalkit.asp
http://backpacker.com/backpacking101/
and have been spending lots of time on Google.

I've been considering an ALICE pack, sportsmansguide has em within my budget. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=69853 These any good? I have a pack from my scouting days, but it's a bit worn and doesn't "feel" right when I've worn it the last few years.

As to boots, I've got a pair of tankers boots that so far have been comfortable when walking.

I'm taking the fall and winter to work on my cardio, as I'm far from ready to go on any type of serious hike right now. In the mean time, I research, and slowly pick up the gear I need.

 

[Tames D]

Oh, I can imagine carrying a firearm, and probably will once my son (and other future children) start going out into the field with me. I'm actually more concerned with cougar than bear, as an adult I'm not too worried, my kid(s) are something else entirely. Kids are small enough, and weird enough to attract attention from potential predators.

Lamont

Thank you. You beat me to it. Cougars are my main concern. Not too worried about bears and snakes. But where we like to go, the cougars will attack ( and do attack) you without provocation.

 

[jks9199]

Break in some good boots. Walk. After a while start walking with a pack of increasing loads (try to get to the weight you will be packing). Drink water.

Water's another good point. If you're buying a new pack -- I'd look for the ability to carry a Camelback or similar water bladder. I used to be pretty good at pulling a canteen out of one of the side pockets of my backpack on the move, drinking, and returning it... but it was never as simple as just pulling the bitepiece on my Cameback is!

 

[Blindside]

I've been considering an ALICE pack, sportsmansguide has em within my budget. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=69853 These any good? I have a pack from my scouting days, but it's a bit worn and doesn't "feel" right when I've worn it the last few years.

As to boots, I've got a pair of tankers boots that so far have been comfortable when walking.

I think I've packed one of those before, but quite frankly I'd spend the money on a decent civilian kit first. The modern load bearing harnesses on both external and internal frame packs are light years ahead of the ALICE. On the plus side, the ALICE is pretty cheap.

Also, I'm assuming you are building up a supply for the GF as well, there are several commercial pack types built for specifically for womens body shapes in mind, you might want to look into them.

Spend the money on good boots, blisters suck, I've been wearing Vasque Sundowners for (yikes!) 20 years now, and I swear by them.

Lamont

 

[Cruentus]

Anyone do it? Any tips for someone who last hiked 20 years ago with scouts?

I'm looking at doing a week of backpacking in the woods next spring and haven't a clue what I'm in for.

There is a lot of good advice here, so I don't need to add to it. But know that you can always call or PM me for advice; as I am sure you probably know Bob, wilderness/field survival is more then just a hobby of mine...

 

[Cruentus]

Oh...

An Alice pack is a great, cheap, basic pack and something you can definatily get by with. I recommend rigging a small camelbak over the top, however, as this will greatly improve your hikes.

But if you want something a little more for not too much more money, I really like these: http://www.rangerjoes.com/pack-phenix-gear-cfp-style-with-patrol-pack-p-3757.html

You can rig a camelpak on or even in those too.

That site, btw, is great for picking up gear that you might need, so you might want to take the time to look around...

C.

 

[shesulsa]

Oh, I can imagine carrying a firearm, and probably will once my son (and other future children) start going out into the field with me. I'm actually more concerned with cougar than bear, as an adult I'm not too worried, my kid(s) are something else entirely. Kids are small enough, and weird enough to attract attention from potential predators.

Lamont

Thank you. You beat me to it. Cougars are my main concern. Not too worried about bears and snakes. But where we like to go, the cougars will attack ( and do attack) you without provocation.

Yup - cougar (a.k.a. "mountain lion") are the main threat here, in fact we like to camp in a town called Cougar named for its prolific resident. We used to call our kids (and sometimes still do) "Cat Snack" ... they get wide eyed and usually wind up all sleeping in the same tent for some strange reason

Seriously, they will take down a grown man without provocation - rumor has it they have gotten so hungry they've attacked people on horseback about 20 minutes from my home.

But honestly ... I'm more leery of the bipeds.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

Oh...

An Alice pack is a great, cheap, basic pack and something you can definatily get by with. I recommend rigging a small camelbak over the top, however, as this will greatly improve your hikes.

But if you want something a little more for not too much more money, I really like these: http://www.rangerjoes.com/pack-phenix-gear-cfp-style-with-patrol-pack-p-3757.html

You can rig a camelpak on or even in those too.

That site, btw, is great for picking up gear that you might need, so you might want to take the time to look around...

C.

Ive humped my share of clicks under an ALICE and yeah, on a price/quality scale its alright. But the first time I went hiking with a good internal frame pack, the comfort level was MUCH improved. So I guess the issue with a pack for Bob should be based on how much he plans to carry, how far he plans to haul it and how much he wants to spend.

Im my experience, boots are top of the comfort list for hiking with pack being number 2.

 

[Blotan Hunka]

Other things that come to mind:

Food: Pastas are great, keep a long time, easy to store and prepare. Canned tuna for protien (remember a can opener). Trail mixes, oatmeal.

A good cook stove. Learn how to prime and start it BEFORE you take it to the woods.

Clothes: Easiest thing to overpack. Dont stuff your pack full of clothes. You dont need a full change of clothes for each day youre out there. Yes that includes underwear and socks (this is camping, toughen up lol.) . A clean pair to change into while the others air out is all you need. Pack something for inclimate weather and perhaps an extra change of clothes and thats it.

Dont pack full tubes of toothpaste, soaps, spices, powders etc. Buy little plastic bottles or film containers and put those in a zip lock bag.

Zip lock bags for waterproofing.

If bears may be in the area learn the right way to hang your food bag (and ANY odorous stuff like toothpaste). I have been the only person left at a campsite after the bears took everybody elses improperly hung food.

A water filter is better than packing a ton of water around with you.

A good ground mat is worth every penny. Ive had great nights in a cheap sleeping bag on a good ground mat and terrible ones in a -20 bag without one. And a good stocking hat on a cold night is a godsend.

 

[CoryKS]

Guns not allowed in state parks? No problem! Just do what this guy did. Well, don't exactly do what this guy did, because you never know when you need your buddy to give you a hand. Er, figuratively.

 

[Cruentus]

Im my experience, boots are top of the comfort list for hiking with pack being number 2.

I agree with that. Also, a nice pair of fox river socks helps too.

 

[MA-Caver]

Wow! Lots of great advice. Thank you! Gonna take me a bit to process everything.
Group - possibly later. Initial trips will probably be my GF and me, but I'm totally open to hooking up with others.

On the GF thing... if you're going into an area where there are bears and other large predators... make sure she's umm, not... menstruating. Male (and sometimes female) Bears and other preds will come a running for that just as much as smelling good food. There's been some records of women being attacked because they were in their cycle. So a simple heads up, back of the mind thing on planning the date.

As to boots, I've got a pair of tankers boots that so far have been comfortable when walking.

Personally speaking (and I think the others will agree here), hiking and walking are NOT the same thing. The things you have to contend with during hiking is mainly un-even terrain which puts more of a shock load on your feet, ankles and legs. Those three will be twisted, turned, contorted in ways that don't happen when simply walking across your living room floor or sidewalk or down the hall in your office. So what's comfortable on a nice flat level surface may be miserable on a simple hiking trail.
Balance is important... hey you're a MA you know that...right? Thus understanding where your center of gravity is while trekking on uneven terrain is important. Taking a day hike with a heavy pack to a ... uncivilized (unpaved, un-even) area/trail will help you appreciate that and thus make you better prepared for a multi-day excersion.

 

[Makalakumu]

All good advice. I would only add one thing. Bring the largest caliber pistol you could carry on your person.

That depends on where you are going. If you are hiking Isle Royale National Park, there is absolutely no need for a pistol. There's no one there to worry about except your fellow man...and anyone who commits anything on that place has VERY few places to run. Plus, it costs a lot to get there and that keeps out the riff raff.

 

[Makalakumu]

Wow! Lots of great advice. Thank you! Gonna take me a bit to process everything.

couple of quick comments:

guns - don't have a permit, and I believe the NY state parks don't allow em. But, I'll be carrying knives, and a sturdy walking stick. (old oak flagpole cut to size)

Group - possibly later. Initial trips will probably be my GF and me, but I'm totally open to hooking up with others.


Found these links,
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-scouts/survivalkit.asp
http://backpacker.com/backpacking101/
and have been spending lots of time on Google.

I've been considering an ALICE pack, sportsmansguide has em within my budget. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=69853 These any good? I have a pack from my scouting days, but it's a bit worn and doesn't "feel" right when I've worn it the last few years.

As to boots, I've got a pair of tankers boots that so far have been comfortable when walking.

I'm taking the fall and winter to work on my cardio, as I'm far from ready to go on any type of serious hike right now. In the mean time, I research, and slowly pick up the gear I need.

Bob, if you are just State Parking it, don't worry about some of the preparations that you would have to take if you were going to somewhere farther out. Get the best stuff you can afford and go out and have fun. When I was a kid, my parents couldn't afford to send me off to my Boy Scout outings with the best stuff. In fact, I was the archtypical "Ronald Weasley" of the troop. If you make mistakes, you learn from them. And that is part of the FUN!!!

 

[Makalakumu]

Yup - cougar (a.k.a. "mountain lion") are the main threat here, in fact we like to camp in a town called Cougar named for its prolific resident. We used to call our kids (and sometimes still do) "Cat Snack" ... they get wide eyed and usually wind up all sleeping in the same tent for some strange reason

Seriously, they will take down a grown man without provocation - rumor has it they have gotten so hungry they've attacked people on horseback about 20 minutes from my home.

But honestly ... I'm more leery of the bipeds.

Yup. You have much more to fear from your fellow humans then any other predator in many wilderness areas.

The best defense against a cougar, bring a dog and a gun. Your simian senses are nothing compared to that of your canine friends...and most cougars will leave groups with dogs alone, because that is how we hunt them...

 

[shesulsa]

On the GF thing... if you're going into an area where there are bears and other large predators... make sure she's umm, not... menstruating. Male (and sometimes female) Bears and other preds will come a running for that just as much as smelling good food. There's been some records of women being attacked because they were in their cycle. So a simple heads up, back of the mind thing on planning the date.

I'm so glad you posted this. My troop hasn't been backpack camping yet and when last I did I didn't have children and arranged the trip around my period for that very reason.

I haven't yet consulted with any outdoor survival experts on handling the particular toileting needs of females in the wilderness should it happen to occur off schedule (for me, just putting a suitcase or a pack in the car seems to bring it on :angry: ). Does anyone here have any expertise in this area? The info could be useful in the future to Bob's GF and other women interested in backpacking.

Thanks!

 

[Cruentus]

That's a very good question. I have no idea, being that I am male. :idunno:

 

[shesulsa]

That's a very good question. I have no idea, being that I am male. :idunno:

See, for me in the GSUSA organization, we plan for an event WELL in advance - like ... a year, sometimes two or three in advance and only under dire circumstances will we cancel. If we put some significant fundraising hours in and a few thousand dollars towards a campout, the girls are not likely to give in because they're OTR. And as a cleared adult, I can't cancel either - these girls are in my charge, I can't cancel because I"M OTR.

What I'm thinking is that the sad truth is that if you're gonna be with bear or cougar, ya better not be bleeding, end of story. I hope there's a real alternative.

 

[Cruentus]

What I'm thinking is that the sad truth is that if you're gonna be with bear or cougar, ya better not be bleeding, end of story. I hope there's a real alternative.

You could take up professional bodybuilding, steriods and all, and you won't have to worry about bleeding...ever.. :lol:

But seriously, this is a geat article on that topic that I dug up. They talk mostly about bears, but later in the article they go over precautions one can take...

http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/menstruation_data.html