I'm going to do it finally. There is not much time left and I need to start planning. I'm used to 8-10km hikes and bicycle trips but never really done camping in the mountains.
1.I plan to purchase a small tent as the tent we have is very heavy and is for two people. After searching a bit a terptent would be great, I think. The trip is in August and hopefully we will still have summer then in the Alps.
2. Sleeping bag, I have a small and good one.
3. I will carry a small camera xt+17-40L+50mm or 90mm, with card and memory bank to be bought. (my partner, juza, has the same combo and 600mm ), a small tripod Velbon 640+L bracket+head
4. I dunno what we are going to eat and drink, awaiting instructions.
5. energy bars, glasses, first-aid kit, compass, notebook-pen,batteries etc.
any other suggestions? Oh yes, though it is planned as a 'light' trek (mostly because of me, as am new to this), I have started preparing myself physically a bit. Any suggestions here. I live in the middle of a jungle (concrete, that is)...with accesss to small real forests in between. Many more questions to follow.
Thank you for your time,
Good boots and socks can make a huge difference - if there's a place in your area that offers boot fitting advice - take it! Keep in mind your feet will expand a bit after some walking so don't get shoes that are too tight. Change yoru socks often and make sure you treat the very first signs of blisters (hot spots).
Good boots and socks can make a huge difference - if there's a place in your area that offers boot fitting advice - take it! Keep in mind your feet will expand a bit after some walking so don't get shoes that are too tight. Change yoru socks often and make sure you treat the very first signs of blisters (hot spots).
Thanks Guy, I forgot that. I already have good hiking shoes from Lowe, which is a good local company. I use them for all my day treks/hikes. Fit well, work well, breathable and waterproof gore-tex (that really works.)
Pack as light as possible.
Yes, I have to. I'm not so fit. I will keep it to minimum.
Cotton: BAD
Except for sitting around camp after a day of hiking. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. When you're in the mountains this can be a very bad thing when the weather turns cold. Hypothermia is nothing to gamble with, even in the summer.
Definitely purify the water; Giardia (sp?) is another thing you don't want to risk. It won't effect you during your trip, but about 10 days later, you'll be making a lot more trips (to the bathroom that is). Believe me, I know
You might want to check into the many books available about backpacking. They'll cover all the bases like footwear, clothing, food, equipment, etc.
Also search around for some backpacking forums, I'm sure you'll get a lot more advice there.
Posted by Geoff Lawrie on July 11, 2006 at 9:39 AM
Hi Prashant,
Yes, cotton does not wick the moisture away from the skin and also takes ages to dry. Thermal underwear, if it is cold, against the skin and otherwise good synthetics will keep you dryer and therefore warmer. Layer on top of that.
Make sure that the boots are comfortable and well worn in!!!!! Most people I know who first start getting into extended walking end up with feet problems because they don't heed the importance of this point.
Food wise- if you want to get the weight down go for dehydrated meals or foods with a low water content. After cathcing the evening light for any photos we always have a good meal. Something quick and easy to prepare is good, especially seeing that you may be tired seeing you may not be what i call pack fit yet.
Try and gather everything that you intend carrying together trim it down if necessary and pack your pack with that weight. Do some short walks building the length as you get more used to it.
Pack light and you will have a ball.
Cheers,
Geoff
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 11, 2006 at 9:48 AM
Cotton is bad. Especially socks. From what I've seen, poor socks and boots cause more misery than anything else. Cotton undershirts are something I never wear either.
You should both carry a butane lighter, small sharp knife, and water. If you aren't the type of person that automatically knows direction, get a small compass too. (I always have one.) A small 2-AA battery flashlight should be in your pack also. Don't forget a rain coat of some kind. A butane lighter, sharp knife, and small flashlight don't weigh much but can get you through some big messes. A loud whistle, like a sports coach uses, can help people find you if you get lost.
A good way to get exercise is to walk up and down many stairs during every day. Try to never take elevators during the day, only stairs. On your lunch hour try walking up at least six floors of stairs, and back down. Going back down is probably more important than going up because it uses muscles that are important on mountains. You need strong legs more than anything else.
Get some wool or synthetic hiking socks, medium thick. Not so thick they squeeze your feet inside your boot. Bring some small bandages in case you do start getting blisters on your feet. Walking on feet with blisters is agony.
One little tip I have to add is take 2 pairs of wool or synthetic socks and change your socks every hour, safety pinning (or otherwise attaching) the unused socks on the outside of your pack to dry. Dry socks, and a few moments for your feet to air dry as you change your socks, lead to happier feet (and happy feet lead to happy backpacker). The short rest every hour increases endurance, too, I think.
I also echo the no cotton, travel as light as possible, etc, advice you've received so far. Has anyone mentioned rain gear yet? A large garbage bag can protect the contents of your pack, and a light-weight rain jacket and/or emergency rain poncho for yourself.
Thank you all!!
Yes, cotton stuff is out synthetic is in.
I will carry a jacket with layers, the outer being waterproof made of gore-tex with a cap. Inner removable layer fleece if it gets cold.
I have headlamp and knife and other things mentioned. poles, i have in the list - to buy.
I was worried about 'how to carry water'...but water is available at the location and can be purified. Such a simple idea didn't occur to me. (inexperience).
Posted by Trym Espeseth on July 11, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Well people have commented on the essentials. You are mentioning the alps. Where are you going ?. What I miss that are essential is a good map and compass, and make sure you can use it. A GPS with maps over the area can be a subsitute. Bring a small first aid kit with something for blisters among other things. A gas burner and some light cooking utensils is another idea. There is plenty of dry stuff which you just add water and bring to bol and voila you got a nice meal. Some energy stuff(bars) is also smart to bring with you. Happy camping
Posted by Roger Rouch on July 11, 2006 at 12:23 PM
Sounds like you are well on the way to having the right equipment. One thing I would suggest is that going over all of the stuff to take and not to take always is a bit of a trial for me. There are little important details like sun screen, bug juice, and asprin that tend to get forgotten and a few things that get taken out of the pack at the end of packing. I'd recommend making a check list of things you will need and check things off as you put them into your pack. Update it once your are packed with any additionas or removals and then keep it for future reference. It makes packing go a lot easier with a good list.
1. Don't buy an excessively small tent...tent ratings are very optimistic. Usually a tent rated as "2 persons" sits comfortably one person and his equipement. A 1-person tent it pretty tight.
2. I have a $20 bag and so far I've survived, but in a couple of occasions I was trembling for the cold ;-)
3. Actually I'm still not sure about the 600...I might loan a small tele from CPS (yes, I'm CPS now )...I'll carry the 600 only if I am 100% in shape. Or if I am 100% mad.
4. We will go hunting, like Rambo
LOL, seriously, Geoff and others already gave you good suggestion about food. Regarding water, it is safe to carry at least 3-4 liters.
Regarding the route: I was thinking about a "linear route", not a circular one...in other words, we begin from a place, and we end in another place...so you can plan the arriving train, but you should be a bit flexible about the train to come back. Let me know it is OK, otherwise I'll try to find a different itinerary.
I have maps, compass and GPS, so we should be safe.
How to carry water : I use 1.5 or 2 liters plastic bottles. It is safe to don't assume that we will always found water...last year, I begun a long hike with just 1.5 liters of water...it was a very warm day and after a couple of hours I had already drunk all the water. I didn't find any water source and I arrived at the end of the itinerary almost dehydrated :-/
An interesting website: http://www.wilderness-survival.net . This website is more about survival than hiking, but there is some good info.
Hey Juza,
I request the next communications at prashanteju @ prashanteju.de instead of my DLR address.
Oops, I did not know we are planning linear, need to get my train connections right. Or may be from that station I can go back to Brunek again.
What is CPS,
And hows the mood in Italy in general after WM2006?
Regarding the Itinerary: actually I planned a quite loose itinerary, as I'm used to do for my trips. There is not a real "arrival": we will walk for five days along a spectacular trail in the Dolomites. The last day we will search the a train connection near the place that we will reach. What place? It depends by how much we walk ;-)
Of course, from the "unknow arrival" you can come back to a well know station (as Brunek).
CPS is Canon Professional Services (http://www.cps.canon-europa.com/). If you are a working pro, you can become a CPS member; they have some equipment requirement (you should have 2 pro bodies and 3 L lenses), but actually they are quite flexible. CPS members have various benefit, and they can loan equipment from Canon (for free, but only for few days, as far as I know).
The mood? Great , but actually I'm not a big fan of football, I prefer other kind of sports (rally races)
It sounds like you're on your way! I'd like to add a couple of things...
A first aid kit. It needn't be huge, but should should contain items for dressing and bandages. I always carry a small tube of anti-bacterial ointment such as Neosporin, over-the-counter pain med, and a few antihistamine tabs. If you use prescribed drugs, be sure to take an adequate supply, and add a couple of days meds for the 'safety factor'.
One of the main causes of illness in the back country is ingesting food handled with dirty hands. A few anti-bacterial 'handi-wipes', and bio-degradeable soap will go a long way toward preventing a potentially serious and dibilitating illness.
I hope your trip goes well, and we expect a full report, along with images, upon your return!
Regarding the Itinerary: actually I planned a quite loose itinerary, as I'm used to do for my trips. There is not a real "arrival": we will walk for five days along a spectacular trail in the Dolomites. The last day we will search the a train connection near the place that we will reach. What place? It depends by how much we walk ;-)
Of course, from the "unknow arrival" you can come back to a well know station
That is perfect!!
We will make a great team. as we think on the same lines. (great minds think alike )
Weigh your full backpack. If your backpack is much heavier than 20 kg (with foot and water) try to reduce!!! I have done some long mountain trips with 35kg and it is no fun to carry such pack the whole day.The Alps are not realy wilderness, you find cabins where you can eat and buy water, tea or beer, so it is possible to reduce footweight. You can also sleep in cabins if the weather is terrible. Dont forget gloves and a warm cap, the nights are cold higher than 2500 meters also in August. A good and light sleeping pad is no luxury if you aim to camp in stony cwms or on mountain tops. A LED headlamp with spare batteries is a must by climbing in darkness to arrive a mountain top before sunrise! Have a nice trip.
Sounds like a fun trip you guys have planned. Look forward to hearing more about Prashant and Juza's excellent adventure!!
Posted by Scott Elliot on July 12, 2006 at 12:38 AM
Over the years the most used item in my first aid kit has been Moleskin. I seldom need it myself, but there have been many times when I have encountered people with blisters on their feet and a good patch of Moleskin allow them to continue walking without doing further damage. Most first aid kits you buy don't have this product, so it is always the first thing I add to a new kit.
I don't know if anybody had mentioned a sleeping pad like a Thermarest. You can get very cold sleeping on the ground in the mountains if you don't have at least hip length insulation between your body and the ground.
Another thing I carry is a Emergency Satalite Beacon. It's small fits easily into packs. I have never had to use it but here in Australia we have some very deadly snakes, If bitten and in the wilderness you would probably die without a beacon. Something to think about. Will not even go on a day walk without it.
Prashant, I'll just add something Preston touched on with sanitation. Put together a toilet kit with some toilet paper and hand sanitizer. As Preston mentioned 'dirty hands' are usually a big problem....think of eating a handful of gorp mid morning after your morning constitution without proper cleanup! :)
Sorry for the graphical description but it's important. Also, follow any rules about cat holes and packing out toilet paper. Personally, I pack out or burn all my paper. A trick I learned was to carry a small ziploc with a small amount of baking soda within another bag (preferably opaque :))
I'm glad you are making the trip with someone else, it will make things go smoother. Try to keep the weight down, but make sure you have what you 'need.' There are other things you may 'want' and that's up to you. After a few trips, you'll find the comfort level you can tolerate and go from there. I like to have as little as possible to remind of what I left behind, but my expectations of a backpacking trip may be different than yours.
Most of all just have fun and don't push yourself too hard!
Excellent info all around. One thing I will not camp without is a good headlamp. And make sure those batteries are FRESH!
Have a wonderful, SAFE journey.
Posted by William Brozy on July 12, 2006 at 10:10 AM
I haven't read through all the responses - but I always like a little comfort on the trail (since it is typically uncomfortable accommodations). I do bring a little cotton: a pair of cotton socks, a well worn cotton t shirt and a pr. of cotton oversized boxers to sleep in.
This REI page has lots of good information. I've found the checklists quite helpful (and I've been backpacking since I was a kid). Also read the article on how to pack your backpack. Weight distribution can make a big difference in the comfort of your pack. And pack comfort can make a BIG difference in the enjoyment of your trip.
Camping is a great American tradition. You are obviously talking as a mountain novice wanting simply to car camp then do day hikes and not talking about jumping right into backpacking as some respondees have responded with. The whole complex process of camping and much more so backpacking is not something you are going to be able to get reasonably thorough enough advice on from idly talking to a few friends or asking sites like this on the internet. You can of course muddle into it and the result is likely going to be various equipment problems, missing necessities, and mediocre experiences despite the fact a lot of it is really simple. A great many Americans and families do just that slowly getting more knowledgeable over what, how, when, and where over several road trips. Trial and error. However that need not be so. The truth is for someone without experience totally jumping in, you will be happier from the start if you make an effort doing your homework a more thorough way, guided by someone that has thrashed out ways to do it right. There are many consumer books on camping, some thick, some thin available at any bookstore. Buy a thin one, read it in order to be able to consider what camping is about and how to proceed into it smoothly. ...David
Discussion
30 replies1.I plan to purchase a small tent as the tent we have is very heavy and is for two people. After searching a bit a terptent would be great, I think. The trip is in August and hopefully we will still have summer then in the Alps.
2. Sleeping bag, I have a small and good one.
3. I will carry a small camera xt+17-40L+50mm or 90mm, with card and memory bank to be bought. (my partner, juza, has the same combo and 600mm
4. I dunno what we are going to eat and drink, awaiting instructions.
5. energy bars, glasses, first-aid kit, compass, notebook-pen,batteries etc.
any other suggestions? Oh yes, though it is planned as a 'light' trek (mostly because of me, as am new to this), I have started preparing myself physically a bit. Any suggestions here. I live in the middle of a jungle (concrete, that is)...with accesss to small real forests in between. Many more questions to follow.
Thank you for your time,
Pack as light as possible.
Wear synthetic clothing (NOT cotton).
Pack multiple layers rather (tee shirt, light top, fleece, rain shell).
Carry sunscreen and insect repellant.
Make sure someone knows exactly where you're going and when you plan to be back.
If there's good water in the area - carry a purifier and a couple of bottles.
Guy
Thanks Guy, I forgot that. I already have good hiking shoes from Lowe, which is a good local company. I use them for all my day treks/hikes. Fit well, work well, breathable and waterproof gore-tex (that really works.)
Yes, I have to. I'm not so fit. I will keep it to minimum.
Oh, I thought cotton is a good idea.
Yes, layers is a better way.
I had forgotten the sunscreen and insects. Thank you
Make sure someone knows exactly where you're going and when you plan to be back.
If there's good water in the area - carry a purifier and a couple of bottles. [/quote]
Yes, I will check that. I never thought of the purifier thing.
Thank you Guy.
Except for sitting around camp after a day of hiking. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. When you're in the mountains this can be a very bad thing when the weather turns cold. Hypothermia is nothing to gamble with, even in the summer.
Definitely purify the water; Giardia (sp?) is another thing you don't want to risk. It won't effect you during your trip, but about 10 days later, you'll be making a lot more trips (to the bathroom that is). Believe me, I know
You might want to check into the many books available about backpacking. They'll cover all the bases like footwear, clothing, food, equipment, etc.
Also search around for some backpacking forums, I'm sure you'll get a lot more advice there.
Yes, cotton does not wick the moisture away from the skin and also takes ages to dry. Thermal underwear, if it is cold, against the skin and otherwise good synthetics will keep you dryer and therefore warmer. Layer on top of that.
Make sure that the boots are comfortable and well worn in!!!!! Most people I know who first start getting into extended walking end up with feet problems because they don't heed the importance of this point.
Food wise- if you want to get the weight down go for dehydrated meals or foods with a low water content. After cathcing the evening light for any photos we always have a good meal. Something quick and easy to prepare is good, especially seeing that you may be tired seeing you may not be what i call pack fit yet.
Try and gather everything that you intend carrying together trim it down if necessary and pack your pack with that weight. Do some short walks building the length as you get more used to it.
Pack light and you will have a ball.
Cheers,
Geoff
You should both carry a butane lighter, small sharp knife, and water. If you aren't the type of person that automatically knows direction, get a small compass too. (I always have one.) A small 2-AA battery flashlight should be in your pack also. Don't forget a rain coat of some kind. A butane lighter, sharp knife, and small flashlight don't weigh much but can get you through some big messes. A loud whistle, like a sports coach uses, can help people find you if you get lost.
A good way to get exercise is to walk up and down many stairs during every day. Try to never take elevators during the day, only stairs. On your lunch hour try walking up at least six floors of stairs, and back down. Going back down is probably more important than going up because it uses muscles that are important on mountains. You need strong legs more than anything else.
Get some wool or synthetic hiking socks, medium thick. Not so thick they squeeze your feet inside your boot. Bring some small bandages in case you do start getting blisters on your feet. Walking on feet with blisters is agony.
Kent in SD
Guy
I also echo the no cotton, travel as light as possible, etc, advice you've received so far. Has anyone mentioned rain gear yet? A large garbage bag can protect the contents of your pack, and a light-weight rain jacket and/or emergency rain poncho for yourself.
Yes, cotton stuff is out synthetic is in.
I will carry a jacket with layers, the outer being waterproof made of gore-tex with a cap. Inner removable layer fleece if it gets cold.
I have headlamp and knife and other things mentioned. poles, i have in the list - to buy.
I was worried about 'how to carry water'...but water is available at the location and can be purified. Such a simple idea didn't occur to me. (inexperience).
1. Don't buy an excessively small tent...tent ratings are very optimistic. Usually a tent rated as "2 persons" sits comfortably one person and his equipement. A 1-person tent it pretty tight.
2. I have a $20 bag and so far I've survived, but in a couple of occasions I was trembling for the cold ;-)
3. Actually I'm still not sure about the 600...I might loan a small tele from CPS (yes, I'm CPS now
4. We will go hunting, like Rambo
LOL, seriously, Geoff and others already gave you good suggestion about food. Regarding water, it is safe to carry at least 3-4 liters.
Regarding the route: I was thinking about a "linear route", not a circular one...in other words, we begin from a place, and we end in another place...so you can plan the arriving train, but you should be a bit flexible about the train to come back. Let me know it is OK, otherwise I'll try to find a different itinerary.
I have maps, compass and GPS, so we should be safe.
How to carry water : I use 1.5 or 2 liters plastic bottles. It is safe to don't assume that we will always found water...last year, I begun a long hike with just 1.5 liters of water...it was a very warm day and after a couple of hours I had already drunk all the water. I didn't find any water source and I arrived at the end of the itinerary almost dehydrated :-/
An interesting website: http://www.wilderness-survival.net . This website is more about survival than hiking, but there is some good info.
I request the next communications at prashanteju @ prashanteju.de instead of my DLR address.
Oops, I did not know we are planning linear, need to get my train connections right. Or may be from that station I can go back to Brunek again.
What is CPS,
And hows the mood in Italy in general after WM2006?
Regarding the Itinerary: actually I planned a quite loose itinerary, as I'm used to do for my trips. There is not a real "arrival": we will walk for five days along a spectacular trail in the Dolomites. The last day we will search the a train connection near the place that we will reach. What place? It depends by how much we walk ;-)
Of course, from the "unknow arrival" you can come back to a well know station (as Brunek).
CPS is Canon Professional Services (http://www.cps.canon-europa.com/). If you are a working pro, you can become a CPS member; they have some equipment requirement (you should have 2 pro bodies and 3 L lenses), but actually they are quite flexible. CPS members have various benefit, and they can loan equipment from Canon (for free, but only for few days, as far as I know).
The mood? Great
It sounds like you're on your way! I'd like to add a couple of things...
A first aid kit. It needn't be huge, but should should contain items for dressing and bandages. I always carry a small tube of anti-bacterial ointment such as Neosporin, over-the-counter pain med, and a few antihistamine tabs. If you use prescribed drugs, be sure to take an adequate supply, and add a couple of days meds for the 'safety factor'.
One of the main causes of illness in the back country is ingesting food handled with dirty hands. A few anti-bacterial 'handi-wipes', and bio-degradeable soap will go a long way toward preventing a potentially serious and dibilitating illness.
I hope your trip goes well, and we expect a full report, along with images, upon your return!
That is perfect!!
We will make a great team.
I don't know if anybody had mentioned a sleeping pad like a Thermarest. You can get very cold sleeping on the ground in the mountains if you don't have at least hip length insulation between your body and the ground.
Sorry for the graphical description but it's important. Also, follow any rules about cat holes and packing out toilet paper. Personally, I pack out or burn all my paper. A trick I learned was to carry a small ziploc with a small amount of baking soda within another bag (preferably opaque :))
I'm glad you are making the trip with someone else, it will make things go smoother. Try to keep the weight down, but make sure you have what you 'need.' There are other things you may 'want' and that's up to you. After a few trips, you'll find the comfort level you can tolerate and go from there. I like to have as little as possible to remind of what I left behind, but my expectations of a backpacking trip may be different than yours.
Most of all just have fun and don't push yourself too hard!
One of the important doubts cleared, I was not sure how to ask about it.
Have a wonderful, SAFE journey.
Have a great and safe trip!!
I think Juza has backpacked a time or two.
Prashan, thanks for the invite. I really wish I could. Maybe someday.