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First Backpacking Through Hike, Any Tips?
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:18 pm
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:18 pm
A buddy and I are doing the Wild Azaela Trail the weekend after next. It's around ~30 miles and we won't be speeding through as we are doing it over 3 days two nights. I've been doing plenty of hiking to build up to it, and made sure my bag can last 2 nights 3 days by camping at primitive campsites at local state parks. Any common mistakes first timers make that I should avoid?
I'm bringing plenty of water, and plan on refilling at the creeks filtering with the Lifestraw and purifying with chemicals if needed. I'm also planning on around 5K calories per day with an additional 2.5k if anything goes wrong.
I'm bringing plenty of water, and plan on refilling at the creeks filtering with the Lifestraw and purifying with chemicals if needed. I'm also planning on around 5K calories per day with an additional 2.5k if anything goes wrong.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:26 pm to Jcorye1
quote:
Any common mistakes first timers make that I should avoid?
packing too much unnecessary shite
quote:
I'm bringing plenty of water, and plan on refilling at the creeks
We haven't had much rain. How sure are you that all your water stops have flowing water right now?
for the Azalea, it crosses roads many times, I would suggest placing a few 1 gal jugs of water for emergency reserves at a few of those crossings, just in case
quote:
I'm also planning on around 5K calories per day with an additional 2.5k if anything goes wrong.
again, I'd suggest stashing these reserves along the road crossing
this is what makes Azalea a good starter hike, you don't have to carry all your reserve things
I think the longest segment of the Azalea is what? 7 miles?
I've ran the entire thing before, either completely or by segments
which way are you hiking?
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:27 pm to Jcorye1
2 pounds of food per day is the standard. But the WA is a pretty easy trail compared to most, so take that FWIW.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:31 pm to Salmon
From Lake Valentine to Woodworth.
So basically just fill some gallon jugs and drop them off along some of the different segments just in-case?
So basically just fill some gallon jugs and drop them off along some of the different segments just in-case?
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:33 pm to Jcorye1
quote:
So basically just fill some gallon jugs and drop them off along some of the different segments just in-case?
that is what I would do
I used to do this when I would run it so I didn't have to carry water
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:34 pm to Salmon
That's a good idea, should I camouflage them so people won't mess with them, or is it something that people don't mess with.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:35 pm to Jcorye1
I don't think anyone would mess with them
just kinda hide them in a bush or something
and it doesn't just have to be water, leave some treats for you
you would be amazed at what a little sugar will do after you have hiking all day
just kinda hide them in a bush or something
and it doesn't just have to be water, leave some treats for you
you would be amazed at what a little sugar will do after you have hiking all day
This post was edited on 10/10/16 at 1:37 pm
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:40 pm to Jcorye1
quote:
Any common mistakes first timers make that I should avoid?
you'll pack way more stuff than you'll need.
I wouldn't worry with a caloric target for each day. I mean, let's be honest, you'd survive if you didn't eat for 3 days anyways, so just pack something light you'd like to eat and don't worry about the calories. Hell, I'd take the opportunity to kick start dropping a couple lbs, myself
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:45 pm to LoneStarTiger
also, probably just me, but after humping my gear all day, I never eat everything I bring. Never.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:46 pm to jimbeam
quote:
but after humping my gear all day
you're doing it wrong
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:02 pm to jimbeam
quote:
probably just me, but after humping my gear all day, I never eat everything I bring. Never.
not just you, I never feel hungry when we go backpacking. I force myself to eat at night. I always bring home food, particularly the sweets and snacks.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:12 pm to Jcorye1
What is your shelter arrangement?
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:27 pm to dltigers3
I have a tent, rainfly, and footprint meant for a single person. It's Ozark Trail, but should work for this purpose.
I'm going to check the weather, but it should be nice enough I won't need a sleeping bag, and I can just pack a liner and wrap my tent up in a fleece blanket sleeping on a self inflating pad.
I'm going to check the weather, but it should be nice enough I won't need a sleeping bag, and I can just pack a liner and wrap my tent up in a fleece blanket sleeping on a self inflating pad.
This post was edited on 10/10/16 at 2:29 pm
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:29 pm to Jcorye1
Don't bring the footprint. I have one for my tent as well but it's just more weight honestly.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:32 pm to LoneStarTiger
quote:
Any common mistakes first timers make that I should avoid?
you'll pack way more stuff than you'll need.
I wouldn't worry with a caloric target for each day. I mean, let's be honest, you'd survive if you didn't eat for 3 days anyways, so just pack something light you'd like to eat and don't worry about the calories.
No doubt. I know nothing about this trail but it is LA so I'm guessing you won't be humping any elevation gain so that makes it a fairly easy 10 miles (depending on your conditioning).
Some snacks I love to take (as Salmon said...sugar/candy is amazing on the trail) are dried mangos, Mike and Ikes, Sour patch kids. I also carry salted almonds or peanuts.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:33 pm to Jcorye1
quote:
footprint
nix this
don't need it for this area, its not rocky and you should be able to find some soft pine straw areas pretty easily
quote:
I won't need a sleeping bag, and I can just pack a liner and wrap my tent up in a fleece blanket sleeping on a self inflating pad.
how heavy is your sleeping bag? fleece blanket seems like it would be heavier and take up more space, no?
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:37 pm to Salmon
quote:
fleece blanket seems like it would be heavier and take up more space, no?
I was curious about this too.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:37 pm to Salmon
It's not really heavy, plus I have a nice bag to compact it as much as possible. I meant one of those thin fleece cheap throws from Walmart.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:38 pm to Jcorye1
How are you cooking your meals?
What's on the menu?
What's on the menu?
This post was edited on 10/10/16 at 2:39 pm
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