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dblaney
Human Being

Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 7,894
Loc: Here & Now
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Backpacking!
#5618233 - 05/11/06 05:33 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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How hard is it on the body to go backpacking for about two weeks with a 40-50 pound pack (a little less than 1/3 of my body weight)? I love backpacking, and I go fairly frequently, but rarely for longer than 2-3 days at a time. I'm considering going for a two week adventure type thing with a group, but I'm curious as to how physically taxing it will be, from those who know.
-------------------- "What is in us that turns a deaf ear to the cries of human suffering?" "Belief is a beautiful armor But makes for the heaviest sword" - John Mayer Making the noise "penicillin" is no substitute for actually taking penicillin. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." -Abraham Lincoln
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Banez
Stranger


Registered: 09/23/05
Posts: 15,181
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5618240 - 05/11/06 05:35 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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im thinking it will be pretty fucking tough.. im actually thinking about doing a week or two of backpacking myself this summer.. but like u said i usually only do 2-3 days at a time..
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5618254 - 05/11/06 05:40 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Tough if you're not in shape. But good for you. And you get used to it quick.
Ask Adom.. he's hiking the App trail as we speak..
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michael_lifshitz
Student


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Re: Backpacking! [Re: Shroomism]
#5618355 - 05/11/06 06:07 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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It seems like it would be bad for your back. I have no idea though.
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dblaney
Human Being

Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 7,894
Loc: Here & Now
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: Shroomism]
#5618376 - 05/11/06 06:11 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Oh shit! I'm jealous.
How you been man?
-------------------- "What is in us that turns a deaf ear to the cries of human suffering?" "Belief is a beautiful armor But makes for the heaviest sword" - John Mayer Making the noise "penicillin" is no substitute for actually taking penicillin. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." -Abraham Lincoln
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Corporal Kielbasa

Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 17,235
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5618382 - 05/11/06 06:12 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Its ruff the first couple days. Then after you get used to the blistered feet and the hip hickies and shin splints.... it gets easier.
But all that is wurth it!
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Banez
Stranger


Registered: 09/23/05
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i kinda wanna do more of urban backpacking.. like train hop, and hitch hike across the country and just see where i end up..
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Corporal Kielbasa

Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 17,235
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: Banez]
#5618542 - 05/11/06 06:54 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Most likely an early grave. Train hopping isn't for the average person. Old time riders are top dog on that lot. You run into one you may get killed and trown of a moving train. People die out there. People turn missing on the thousands of miles of wooded track under a bush left to weather. I know conductors and rail police. They always have a new storey when they come back from cross country. Like how they watched a guy fall of the side and get run over. Or how they found three young riders stabed and beaten to death in a cargo car. They freeze to death and yada yada. The old timers run it and everyone tries to keep the young at heart off the tracks.
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Banez
Stranger


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wow yeah i never really thought of all that.. i more just was thinking of taking my happy little hippy self and traveling across the country..
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Gr8fulJ420
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5618631 - 05/11/06 07:15 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Spend your free weekends preparing by loading up a pack and hike all over the place. Make sure it's comfortable and adjusted to your body; break in the boots well, too. The more time you spend preparing your body and gear the easier it will be when it comes to really hitting the trail.
And check the Great Outdoors subforum of Gatherings... there are some pretty active people here. For a bunch of druggies :-)
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Nashbar
just strange.... on drugs

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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5618802 - 05/11/06 08:00 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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I did 130ish miles, Superior Hiking Trail, end-to-end solo. My pack started around 50lb with water and food, 10 days later it was a lot lighter.
I ran the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim with one night in the bottom. Didn't weigh anything, less than 10lb of gear, very little water and food.
1. Pick the right season 2. Pick the right gear 3. Pick the right companions 4. Pick the right location
I run and biked a lot so I'm in decent condition. I also try to eat enough to add 5-10lb to my body before leaving for a good trek, it'll help energy levels for the entire trip, and for me at ~5% body fat, adding a bit extra might save my life.
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bigbadwolf
Wild Man Willy

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I went for a month last summer. It the best experience of my life.
It can be as extreme physically as you want to make it. I probably hiked an average of 5 or 6 miles on the days we hiked. But hiking is MUCH harder with a 40-50 pound pack. Make sure you have maps and water purification means.
I wish everyone would do it. Being in nature for that long is so rewarding. I came out a different person though I didn't realize it at first.
This summer I am hoping to do some solo stuff.
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Mike_yy


Registered: 10/28/05
Posts: 7,253
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: Nashbar]
#5618846 - 05/11/06 08:16 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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You will want a good backpack, some good boots, and some zinc oxide tape and blister stuff for your feet.
Its hard at first if your not that fit, but by the end of the first week you should be adapting to the strain.
A canoe bag is a good thing to have too so your can keep things dry.
I went from being a total pothead to being dumped with a load of people in the middle of Mongolia, treking across the Gobi desert for a month with a big pack on ( everything i needed for a months treking, radio's and litres of water ).
When i had finished i had never been so fit !
Its hard but you will hack it !
Make sure you get one of those metal water flasks and some chlorine tabs.
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ToTheSummit
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5619081 - 05/11/06 09:16 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Everyone here has had good advice so far. But the truth is this, if you already can do 3 days without any discomfort then you are probably ready. After the 3rd or 4th day your body is into the rythym of the routine and you won't likely have too many physical problems beyond that (unless you experience an unforseen circumstance like an injury or walking all day in wet boots). During my extended trips I've never had any physical problems after day 3 or 4 (even when I wasn't in good shape to start out). The only trick now is to be prepared for an extended period of time on the trail. Make sure your gear is ready and you have the proper supplies to see you through and your trip will be wonderful. And don't push yourself beyond what you are comfortable with (a 15-20 mile day going uphill will kick just about anyones ass!) A little preparation and some common sense will go a long way towards having a fantastic outing.
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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UlcerPentacidis
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indeed.
all the above advice is good, and as long as you take care of your feet you'll probably be alright. spending as much time in the footwear you plan on wearing beforehand is probably your best bet, and will probably save you from a few blisters. gotta keep them feet dry too!
i find packing and repacking my gear three or four times before i take off tends to help everything find its proper place in my pack too. two weeks isnt too long of a trip, but it will really make a difference if everything is packed snug and balanced.
-------------------- µgrammar
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RandalFlagg
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5619142 - 05/11/06 09:34 PM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have a little hiking book. It gives basic tips on what to do (what kind of clothes to wear, things to make stuff easier, etc..). I can send it to you if you want.
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dblaney
Human Being

Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 7,894
Loc: Here & Now
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Wow, these are all wonderful tips, thanks!
I appreciate the offer Randal, but it's a group I'm going with and they've already got a very detailed list of what and what not to bring, so I think I'm alright in that department, thanks though.
-------------------- "What is in us that turns a deaf ear to the cries of human suffering?" "Belief is a beautiful armor But makes for the heaviest sword" - John Mayer Making the noise "penicillin" is no substitute for actually taking penicillin. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." -Abraham Lincoln
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Adom
Totally Nude

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 10,877
Loc: Way Up North
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5620354 - 05/12/06 08:21 AM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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There's only one way to get into shape for hiking and that is hiking with your pack on, if you live near the type of terrain you are going to hike use it, if not you're not going to be prepared. I was hiking daily with 60 lbs on my back to get into shape, along with running and lifting in Iowa and when I got to the AT it meant nothing. It took about 2-3 weeks to stop being sore every morning for me. I never had a blister problem but my knees really started to hurt for a couple weeks, I started using leki hiking poles and started taking glucosimine and now I feel like a champ most every day.
I was hiking on average 11 miles most of those early days, I'm into week six now and my last four days were 14.7, 20.8, 24.3, 24.0 and 16 into Pearisburg, VA yesterday at 2 pm, my biggest day was 30 miles and I did it all in day light. When I leave town my pack weighs 45 lbs, ultra-lighters are over rated, I like my gear and I like to carry a lot of food, I weigh 135 lbs and have no problems with my pack weighing this much.
You aren't going to do anything but good to your body, go out and hit that trail!
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dblaney
Human Being

Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 7,894
Loc: Here & Now
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: Adom]
#5620478 - 05/12/06 09:20 AM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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Righteous! Thanks for the encouragement and cool story. If you ever want to meet up it sounds like you aren't too far away from these parts.
-------------------- "What is in us that turns a deaf ear to the cries of human suffering?" "Belief is a beautiful armor But makes for the heaviest sword" - John Mayer Making the noise "penicillin" is no substitute for actually taking penicillin. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." -Abraham Lincoln
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Adom
Totally Nude

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 10,877
Loc: Way Up North
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Re: Backpacking! [Re: dblaney]
#5620485 - 05/12/06 09:24 AM (17 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm in Pearisburg, VA right now, if you want to get together for a section I'd be more than happy too. Hiking a couple days with thru-hikers would gain you a lot of knowledge.
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