Backpacking?

[Deuce]

About a month ago a slow day at work found me doing some recreational CL perusing (a frequent and dangerous occurrence). One thing led to another and before I knew it I had done a swap with a gentleman in Danville. I was only interested in a couple of dry bags he had, but I ended up with some backpacking stuff that I'm starting to think I might enjoy using. Lord knows I could use the exercise, and I think it's time I start experiencing some of the off the beaten track beauty around our state that I've missed. The backpacking items I acquired were a big Kelty internal frame pack (Tornado 5700 with built in hydration) lightweight sleeping bag (he says it's rated to twenty degrees), several water bottles, Estwing leather sportsman axe, and a small saw. So, my questions are these:

1. What else do I need to get started? I'd love to hear any recommendations you have including brands/models.
2. Who could I hook up with to start going on some learning trips? Ozark Society comes to mind. Would that be a good group? Who else?
3. Any general tips and observations.

[737driver]

I do a lot of backpacking ever year. Mainly from Fall to Spring. Equipment will depend on length of trip, whether you want to be more comfortable or have less weight. Also how remote your location will be. For Arkansas, I love the Buffalo River Trail as well as the Ouachita Trail. I have done most of both of them. You will need a stove. I like the MSR pocket rocket. It weighs about 3 ounces and packs down to the size of a leather an tool. It uses canisters, which may not be the best for the environment, but they are not as messy as carrying liquid fuel. Of course you will need a tent. DON'T skimp on this. I either use a 3 or 4 season solo tent or a hammock style. The hammock is great and light weight, but if I think the weather is gonna be harsh or if I will be in a an area with few trees, I take the solo tent. It only ways about 2.5 pounds. Make sure the rain fly goes all the way to the ground. Another important thing is hiking boots. You want light, comfortable, and gore tex. make sure you wear them a few weeks before you go. MINIMALIST is the keyword to enjoying your trips. Only take what you will use. The only thing I carry that I might not use is my first aid kit and a rain suit. Anything else that migh be extra is just dead weight. That doesn't mean skimp on comfort. I carry a small camp pillow because I hate sleeping without one. Your pack weight will vary depending on your size and comfort level. I weigh 160 and if I'm on a 4 or 5 day hike, my pack weighs no more than 30 pounds. Only carry the water that you will need. Use a purifier to get water from streams, etc. I'd be glad to meet with you and show you some things and when it gets a bit colder, we could do trip somewhere. Oh I forgot. As far as food, I usually just carry one pot for boiling water and then I pack food that can be cooked in ziplock bags. It's very light this way and no mess.

[cpresoz]

That's a huge pack, Luke. I'd take Clay's suggestion and limit what you take since you'll have the temptation of a large pack. Unless you take up alpine rock climbing, in which case you'll need room for your climbing gear.
Like Clay says, a small stove and one small pot to boil water is all you need. There are great dehydrated meals available, some gourmet in quality and plenty to be found at local stores. You might consider trekking poles. They come in handy for guying out your hammock tarp or as poles for a minimalist tarp tent.
Plenty of great online forums regarding backpacking, lightweight and ultralight backpacking.
Up here in NWA we hike the Buffalo and the Ozark Highland Trail among others.

[mohawklady]

join up with backpackingarkansas.com they have lots of memebers and have afall meet in Oct where you can go and talk to people about whats needed. look at there forum maybe you can attend the fall meeting. pam

[Deuce]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. Curtis, do you think the pack is too big? I'm 6' 190 lbs. in case it matters.

[wally]

Luke,
I mainly echo the info already presented. we have some great opportunities here in arkansas and i have done end to end ozark and ouachita trails. ouachita outdoor outfitters has some good stuff and don and jeremy know their stuff. if you want to be out 5 to 10 days on the trail, don't skimp on the equipment. saving $20 isn't going to be too smart when something doesn't do the job you intended it to do. there are 2 primary pieces of equipment in my opinion, and they must fit like a nice glove, the boots and the pack. one of my most used pieces of clothing is a lightweight gore tex windbreak. this is an all season rain coat, my warmth for cool evenings or my warm up suit in the morning.
but your thought about getting into the backwoods is just great. with your house on your back you are free to go and go and go.
wally

[Sky Heye]

Luke
I am the outings chair for the Pulaski chapter of the Ozark Society.
I try to do a couple of backpack trips every "hiking" season (Sept. to May)

The Society as a whole has a hike or backpack just about every week end during those months.
Several of us in the group are well seasoned and can pass on any help you might need or places to go.
Check the web site: Ozarksociety.net and look at the calendar to get trip and leader info.

So far most of the folks advice has been good, especially the one on cost. If you're going to invest in equipment
get the upper end stuff and you shouldnt have to buy that piece again or for a long time.
And don't skimp on the boots! The feet are everything to hiking and backpacking.

After you've done some hiking and backing in Ark., you can find folks headed to more exotic spots like the Tetons or the Grand Canyon. Been to the Canyon seven times and I still want to go back to check out more spots!

And when you need a break from hiking, you can always float a boat with the ACC!

[Clif]

Find Heather Lupe.. she has been doin a bit of walkabouts

here also an lead to some good directions... http://backpackingarkansas.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

I browsed the backpackingarkansas website and was very pleased with what I saw. Thanks for turning me onto that. Looks like it will be a big help, but now I have a problem. My new RollACot just arrived and I've already set it up and demoed it. I don't know if I'll ever be able to camp without it.

[Lupe]

Hey Luke -

I went crazy with the backpacking the last couple of years when I couldn't get out and paddle with my shoulder. Did all kinds of research because I'm a total gear junkie, and I think that's half the fun.

My biggest take away in getting into backpacking is a lot of the initial off the shelf items folks might take backpacking tend to be HEAVY. While lots of the fancy super light stuff does have an inverse relationship of cost to ounces, there are lightweight alternatives that don't necessarily break the bank. And frankly, you're talking about carrying your food and shelter on your back...there's really not THAT much stuff you can buy (cause you ain't going to carry all that stuff!). So I indulged in a couple pricey items getting my kit together, but I'm now completely outfitted for backpacking and can take incredible adventures and all I'm paying is gas to get to the trail head and back, and dough on food I'd need to eat anyway.

Anyway - back to the weight thing: my point is that you can EASILY head out on your first backpacking trip hauling 50 lbs of gear (and you've got a backpack that will haul all that!). The problem is, then you might not ever want to go again! But with planning and being careful with what you take, you can keep that weight down to under 30 lbs, and in warmer weather, closer to 20 lbs, without going too crazy with the ounce counting. There are folks who get lighter still, but I find I can go out with 20-30lbs of gear depending on weather and length of trip, and I'm not skimping on my comfort...just not taking ANYTHING unnecessary. If I was out there hauling 40, 50 lbs....wait, I wouldn't be out there if that's how much weight I was hauling!

So when folks were saying your pack might be too big...it's not that it might be too big for your size. Folks tend to get (and a lot of salespeople don't really know better to not do this either) way bigger packs than what you would need. And we tend to fill the pack we have, so if you have a huge pack, it can be much harder to resist the temptation to throw a few more odds and ends in there. And you can be carrying 3, even 4 or 5 EXTRA pounds on your back just in pack weight alone, even if you DO resist the temptation to fill all the empty space.

I'll talk your ear off about backpacking gear if you get to asking me about it. I'd be happy to throw my basic kit in my backpack and bring it to Rendezvous if anyone's interested. It's been a great hobby for me when I couldn't paddle, and it's something I look forward to getting back to just as soon as the weather starts cooling off again!

Oh - and the only specific gear tidbit I'll throw out there is NEO air. Crazy light air mattress but comfortable. I mean REALLY comfortable. Is it a paco pad? No, but you're not going to hump a paco pad up a mountain either! I also have a 2.5 ounce pillow that is heavenly. So don't worry about not being able to take your roll a cot. Plus, you will be so incredibly tired after backpacking up and down mountains all day that falling asleep tends not to be an issue!

PS - I'm sleeping on my roll a cot the past few days as I'm having some remodel work done in my bedroom...and I'm sleeping just as good as if I was in my own bed!

[cpresoz]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. Curtis, do you think the pack is too big? I'm 6' 190 lbs. in case it matters.

Oh, no, Luke. I didn't mean to say 5700 cu. in. is too big. You'll enjoy it and the main thing is to fit it to you. I'd get with somebody experienced to stand with you and make the adjustments. There are several points of adjustment. Of course, the main point is to have the weight bear on your hips and to have it hug your profile and not pull back, etc. I still use my Gregory Snow Creek from the late 70s which was considered an "expedition" pack and used it for multiday trips hauling climbing gear in addition to the camping gear. I just meant to say that you shouldn't get tempted into packing things into it that you won't need. Light weight is your goal and as others have stated, if you can keep it below 30 lbs. you'll have a more enjoyable time.

[cpresoz]

I am so amazed with how helpful folks in the club have been showing me the ropes on paddling, something I took up not long ago. Let's all get together and backpack. It's the season coming up and I've already been a few times but when it gets cooler, the ticks and chiggers die off and the leaf off happens, you'll find many of us out there every weekend. It will get you places you can't imagine, like the Upper Buffalo and the Ponca Wilderness Areas. Of course, if it rains enough to bring up the creeks, I'll opt for that!

[Deuce]

Y'all are the cats.

[Half Ton]

Here's another good spot to find some backpacking and hiking trips also http://ozarkhighlandstrail.com/events/h ... uidelines/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; some time when get a chance.

I am so amazed with how helpful folks in the club have been showing me the ropes on paddling, something I took up not long ago. Let's all get together and backpack. It's the season coming up and I've already been a few times but when it gets cooler, the ticks and chiggers die off and the leaf off happens, you'll find many of us out there every weekend. It will get you places you can't imagine, like the Upper Buffalo and the Ponca Wilderness Areas. Of course, if it rains enough to bring up the creeks, I'll opt for that!

[Clif]

Kinda turned toward hiking when my kid wanted to do that more than a river... ... and had already got lots of gear that while perfect for float trips, no good for trails. Too heavy. We mostly camp and day trip, carrying only some emergency gear, water and snacks. So begins the search for out of the way cool spots!!