New to backpacking need someone to help me get started

[brand0n]

Hello guys, My name is Brandon I'm 16, And I'm just getting into backpacking so I kinda need some pointers to get me going in the right direction . With that said I'm starting to set up a 2-3 day pack. I have a pack, I just got a north face Terra 30 on sale I'm not sure if that is the preferred size for a 3 day pack, But I figure it wold be big enough to get me started. I'm looking into knifes, sleeping bags, light tents(I'm 6'4 around 190lb), stoves,water filters, rain gear, and good long term hiking clothing. I have been looking around on REI, Campmor, and my local sporting goods store(Ralphie's Red Ryder) for gear and advice and there isn't much help there for backpackers/hikers which really blows but anyone with any help wold be a blessing for me.
thanks
-Brandon
P.S. my mom doesn't like the fact that I'm 16 and want to go backpacking, So if there is any groups or young people that could accompany me on a few trips that wold be great just to give my mom some piece of mind.

[writelots]

Welcome to Hike Arizona Brandon... there are plenty of backpackers 'round here who are usually FULL of good info (I say with only a slight hint of sarcasm). There are also a number of clubs which lead both day hiking and backpacking trips - I belong to one that is affiliated with meetup.com. It's a little challenging because you are a minor, and that makes liability for the club and the trip leader a little more risky. Who knows, though - you might find just the right fit 'round here...

Sounds like you've got some good idea - any goals for where you'd like to hike or what you'd like to see? Any special reason for backpacking (not that you need one, 'cause it ROCKS)...

[nonot]

Hi Brandon,

Congrats on getting into backpacking. A short overnight trip might be your best way to get started - something where you can get away from the car, but if you find you are not comfortable - an easy way to abort the trip and get back so you can try again.

I'm not sure that a Terra 30 will be good for backpacking, I'd consider that too small for anything but a short overnight trip.

Your 3 basics are:
backpack
shelter
sleeping bag

Backpack - the smaller and lighter the better - smaller forces you to not take too much stuff.
For shelter, many prefer tents, and a good tent for solo backpacking will be in the 2-3 lb range. Bivy sacks are an option as well with perhaps a house-wrap sheet for a ground cloth. There are a good selection of 4 pound tents although you may eventually want to upgrade. Some people prefer hammocks as they can be very light and some find them more comfortablel.

A good backpacking sleeping bag will likely be down. I'd recommend biting the bullet and paying for a good 800 fill down bag, rated to 10-15 degrees colder than you expect you the weather would get down to. 25 degrees is a decent rating for an all-around bag, especially if you don't plan on winter camping where it snows.

After that, most people start to think about the following:
cookware
stove
water purification system
sleeping pad

I like my alcohol fueled "pop can stove" as it's served me well. Many like the small isobutane stoves.
A small titanium pot is a popular item.
Some use filters for water filtration - Katadyn and MSR are populalr brands. Others like the Steripen, some people treat water with iodine or Chlorine dioxide.
Some people have closed cell foam pads to sleep on, others bring inflatables - I've observed many inflatables go flat on people due to developing a leak.

The rest is mostly personal taste
food
water and extra water containers
hiking poles
shoes
clothes

There's some other posts floating around the gear and backpacking forums, so you could read about other people's choices there.

Above all - your goal should be light but functional. Consider items which have multiple uses - clothes plus a stuff sack makes a good pillow. A container used to measure dinner ingredients can make for a portable water bottle. Some ponchos double as a tarp.

Edit:
How could I forget - get a small shovel and always bring enough TP - in a ziploc bag in case it rains - don't leave home without it. Remember to stay at least 200 yards away from water sources when you need to make like a bear and dig your cathole- you don't want to contaminate critical isolated water sources in the desert.

[PaleoRob]

I like the gear that I rock, but it may not work best for you. My tent in particular is sweet - light and packs down pretty small. Eureka! Zeus Exo 2 - generally out of production, but you can find them for sale at some online retailers. Some people use hammocks as opposed to tents. They work great (apparently) in wooded areas - not so well in tree-less deserts. I've got a new sleeping bag I love, also from Eureka! that packs down to the size of a cantaloupe and doesn't break 2lbs. Don't have the name in front of me. I use tablets for making my water potable - others think that's a way to an early case of dysentery. Depends on your personal preference. Do some research (not talking to people research - reading actual test results research) for your water purification/treatment options.
What areas are you thinking about backpacking? I'm sure some of us HAZers would be willing to give you some tips/pointers/help, especially if you'd be on a scheduled trip.

[Tough_Boots]

My recommendation is to get the basics like a sleeping bag and decent larger light pack-- definitely larger than the one you have. You could do a pretty minimalist overnight with that one but I wouldn't plan on much more. Also, I would assume there's got to be clubs out there for younger folks. I met a guy hiking in Payson who told me his teenage son was in a hiking club so they must be out there.

Before you go blowing all your money on more gear, you should do some backpacking with someone who already has a lot of that stuff to share use of. Everybody packs differently and you'll get to learn what you feel is necessary. I only go a couple times a year but feel that most everything is based on preference-- filter or pack in water, if you want a tent or sleep in the open, sleeping pad or hard ground? Every time I pack in somewhere, I seem to decide there's one less thing I need to bring.

My typical list of what's in my pack:
tent
sleeping bag
flashlight/lantern
lighter/matches
water and/or filter
food
small gas stove/fuel
mess kit
first aid kit
rain gear
rope to hang pack at night
hatchet & small shovel
knife
compass
gps
warmer clothing/jacket depending on weather

[kevinweitzel75]

@brand0n

If you have questions, then you have come to the right place. SOOOOOO much info from so many different types here. Most important thing is to have fun and think safe.

[te_wa]

budget:
eureka solitaire tent/bivy
big agnes air core pad
rei downtime bag, 25 degree

budget with more comfort
grand trunk ultralight
equinox 8x10 sil tarp
blue walmart pad, 25" wide

intermediate price:
rei quarter dome
big agnes insulated air core pad
montbell super stretch down hugger #2

intermediate comfort:
warbonnet 1.7 single blackbird
equinox 8x10 tarp
insultex underquilt (see http://www.hammockforums.net)

expensive, better in the long run:
tarptent rainbow or six moon designs lunar solo
exped downmat #7
western mountaineering Ultralight, long

expensive luxury:
warbonnet 1.7 single
maccat deluxe in spinn
te-wa standard underquilt

you'll likely start on a budget, and move up as you can afford it. nothign wrong with that, ive done it several times over the past decade.

pay attention: COMFORT is king. a little ul silnylon tarptent will be useless if your head is jammed into the corner.
a great hammock setup is useless if you freeze at night.
a pack that looks ok is no good unless it fits. just like shoes, if it dont fit its useless.

i look for packs like the Osprey Exos series. or the granite gear vapor trail. or the gossamer gear mariposa. all have differing suspensions, carry weight comfort, and pricetags.

one thing you'll notice, cottage gear makers do things right. not the "sell as many as we can to reach the bottom line" like chinese made gear.
look at the perfect quality of stuff from gossamer gear, mountain laurel designs, warbonnet, six moon, tarptent, zpacks, te-wa underquilts, outdoor equipment supplier, and stephensons warmlite, to name a few.

[brand0n]

Ok a update on my gear section I have acquired a sleep cell 30* bag on sell for $20 bucks at Ralphie's Red Ryder it is under 3lbs i had to jump on it. The bag feels nice and comfy also is long enough for my 6'4 body which was a score for me and added to that I got a fleece bag to keep my main bag clean and also to give me a lower temp range.
Now I'm getting started on my fire/wood craft kit I'm opting for a saber saw (chain saw blade with handles) I'm not sure how this wold work, But its size and the capability of having a saw seemed like a good combo, not sure tho anyone have any info for me? also I'm going to try out a large blade survival knife (ka-bar heavy bowie) I like the fact that its lightish and is multi functional. In combination with that, A good flint and steel wold help greatly anyone have any suggestions? I have been looking at the strike force...

[brand0n]

Welcome to Hike Arizona Brandon... there are plenty of backpackers 'round here who are usually FULL of good info (I say with only a slight hint of sarcasm). There are also a number of clubs which lead both day hiking and backpacking trips - I belong to one that is affiliated with meetup.com. It's a little challenging because you are a minor, and that makes liability for the club and the trip leader a little more risky. Who knows, though - you might find just the right fit 'round here...

Sounds like you've got some good idea - any goals for where you'd like to hike or what you'd like to see? Any special reason for backpacking (not that you need one, 'cause it ROCKS)...

Honestly I just love the outdoors. Spending time in the less traveled parts of the world is a challenge I wold love to take on. I have some trails I want to go on I don't know much about them except that they look beautiful in pictures! A few on my list are HORTON CREEK, ICE HOUSE CANYON, KELLER CANYON, WATERLINE ROAD TUNNEL TRAIL, WEATHERFORD TRAIL, and at the top of my list the KACHINA TRAIL

[brand0n]

Hi Brandon,

Congrats on getting into backpacking. A short overnight trip might be your best way to get started - something where you can get away from the car, but if you find you are not comfortable - an easy way to abort the trip and get back so you can try again.

I'm not sure that a Terra 30 will be good for backpacking, I'd consider that too small for anything but a short overnight trip.

Your 3 basics are:
backpack
shelter
sleeping bag

Backpack - the smaller and lighter the better - smaller forces you to not take too much stuff.
For shelter, many prefer tents, and a good tent for solo backpacking will be in the 2-3 lb range. Bivy sacks are an option as well with perhaps a house-wrap sheet for a ground cloth. There are a good selection of 4 pound tents although you may eventually want to upgrade. Some people prefer hammocks as they can be very light and some find them more comfortablel.

A good backpacking sleeping bag will likely be down. I'd recommend biting the bullet and paying for a good 800 fill down bag, rated to 10-15 degrees colder than you expect you the weather would get down to. 25 degrees is a decent rating for an all-around bag, especially if you don't plan on winter camping where it snows.

After that, most people start to think about the following:
cookware
stove
water purification system
sleeping pad

I like my alcohol fueled "pop can stove" as it's served me well. Many like the small isobutane stoves.
A small titanium pot is a popular item.
Some use filters for water filtration - Katadyn and MSR are populalr brands. Others like the Steripen, some people treat water with iodine or Chlorine dioxide.
Some people have closed cell foam pads to sleep on, others bring inflatables - I've observed many inflatables go flat on people due to developing a leak.

The rest is mostly personal taste
food
water and extra water containers
hiking poles
shoes
clothes

There's some other posts floating around the gear and backpacking forums, so you could read about other people's choices there.

Above all - your goal should be light but functional. Consider items which have multiple uses - clothes plus a stuff sack makes a good pillow. A container used to measure dinner ingredients can make for a portable water bottle. Some ponchos double as a tarp.

Edit:
How could I forget - get a small shovel and always bring enough TP - in a ziploc bag in case it rains - don't leave home without it. Remember to stay at least 200 yards away from water sources when you need to make like a bear and dig your cathole- you don't want to contaminate critical isolated water sources in the desert.

I have a question on the "pop can stove" does it work as well as a lets say MSR pocket rocket? And how wold you carry the fuel into the back country?

[brand0n]

I like the gear that I rock, but it may not work best for you. My tent in particular is sweet - light and packs down pretty small. Eureka! Zeus Exo 2 - generally out of production, but you can find them for sale at some online retailers. Some people use hammocks as opposed to tents. They work great (apparently) in wooded areas - not so well in tree-less deserts. I've got a new sleeping bag I love, also from Eureka! that packs down to the size of a cantaloupe and doesn't break 2lbs. Don't have the name in front of me. I use tablets for making my water potable - others think that's a way to an early case of dysentery. Depends on your personal preference. Do some research (not talking to people research - reading actual test results research) for your water purification/treatment options.
What areas are you thinking about backpacking? I'm sure some of us HAZers would be willing to give you some tips/pointers/help, especially if you'd be on a scheduled trip.

On the "scheduled trip", here on hazers is the a group trip for anyone who wants to join, or invite only?

[big_load]

have a question on the "pop can stove" does it work as well as a lets say MSR pocket rocket? And how wold you carry the fuel into the back country?

It's a little slower, but lighter. I also find it much more convenient, because you can get denatured alcohol almost anywhere at all hours (for example, WalMart, Home Depot, etc., and many gas stations carry the yellow Heet). I carry fuel in an empty soda bottle, which weighs a bunch less than an empty canister.

[azbackpackr]

Brandon, the HAZ trips are for anyone who wants to sign up, but you may want to send the organizer a private message as well.

As for saws and larger knives, I would say that most of us have quit carrying those things years ago. Many people never build fires, others prefer fires. Many places do not allow fires. On the other hand, some people, like my son, enjoy primitive lifestyles, building fires without matches, etc.

I carry a small knife and rarely use it, ever. And if I do use it, it is usually for cutting parachute cord. (Since I hate to cook, I always eat the kinds of foods where you just add hot water and stir, so no knives needed for my cooking.) This little knife of mine is a SOG Microtool Clip, so it also has pliers, screwdriver and a very small saw, and is super-light for a mini-tool.

I do have a larger knife that is more a weapon, almost a switchblade, I sometimes carry, mostly to scare my yuppy hiker friends. Thinking about trading that one to my husband for an actual switchblade, since the effect on my yuppy hiker friends would be even more amusing... ;)

I recently bought a Go-lite Quest ultralight backpack, but it is not SUPER ultralight, since it does have a frame and padded belt, etc. Now I am wanting to get an ultralight sleeping bag of about 1 pound, stuffs to size of medium cantaloupe, but they cost about $300 if you want a really warm one. I only use goose down bags, just a preference, I will not use any other kind except on a river trip where I don't have to carry it. My current one is a North Face Blue Kazoo that weighs about 2 pounds and stuffs to the size of a small watermelon. I also have a similar REI one, but the NF is better.

I have a solo tent, Big Agnes, weighs around 3 lbs. It is fine, very well-made, but I plan to go more ultralight with a Tarptent or just a tarp that sets up with my hiking poles. I also like to sleep out under the stars, weather permitting. I do not carry a 2-person tent because that is more than I need, and more importantly, that way I don't have to offer to share a tent with some random woman in a club group, which would probably be enough to make me want to stay home.

Although a lot of ultralighters use those pop can stoves, some places they are illegal, since people have started forest fires with them. I like my MSR Pocket rocket, although the disposable fuel cans get annoying. I used to use a white gas stove, but then you had to mess with the white gas. But at least you could refill the container. The Pocket Rocket seems fairly safe, which I like.

I think you should really look at Te-wa's list of great small companies, which are making the most innovative and ultralight designs. Yeah, sometimes more expensive, but not always.

Also, if you hike a lot, you will probably replace most of what you have now within a couple years. But that is ok. And feel free to leave that saw behind. You don't need it, trust me.

[Mattrgrs12]

I wouldnt carry any type of saw with you. theres enough small wood laying around to build a fire. as for a knife i would just get a nice pocket knife, i rarely use mine. I have a pocket rocket stove and it has worked very well for me and its very light and doesnt require a lot of fuel. one can has lasted me 5 trips.

[big_load]

I carry a spiral-cut wire saw for emergency use and a small folding knife (or a very small one).

[te_wa]

kaBar makes a great blade, but unless you plan to live out there full time, the Becker Necker will suffice. I use a hartsook neck knife, by Buck. the smaller versions of Rat and Izusa cutlery are great too.

im about to drop some coin on a MLD Exodus pack. i inspected one in person, and its the best pack for my winter season needs. i could say a pack like this is for the more "advanced" user, but that is not true, since many of my ppl have started out with the best, lightest gear first time around and actually saved hundreds if not in the thousands by getting the rig they need from strong suggestions and personal research.

one more thing, at http://www.backpackinglight.com there is a "gear swap" section, and if you watch it like a hawk, you can score some top gear for cheap. also, they like to post good deals like the 800 fill power first acsent jacket that weighs 11.6 oz on my scale, is pretty nice quality, and was on sale for $54 (score!)

[brand0n]

Ok I sort of bit the bullet and got a larger survival knife. I went on a small day hike with my buddy on Wednesday, on that trip we stayed tell around 7 as it got a little chilly we started some wood spiting, me being used to a axe was quite astonished on how effective and just plain fun it is to baton with a knife so i bit the bullet and picked up a rat 7, which was the blade I was using that day I think I can take the weight because of how light I plan to pack. also I just picked up a eureka solitaire I believe is the name, its a small one man tent that a lot of people have suggested to me, first impressions are that its actually larger than I thought I can stretch out comfortably but i don't know where I can put my pack witch might be a problem seeing how there no vestibules. i think i did ok on that shopping trip i only spent about 120 bucks and now im on my way to get a stove, mess kit, and a water filter im looking at the MSR pocket rocket and the MSR sweet water any thoughts?

[azbackpackr]

The pocket rocket and MSR filter very good. The Eureka Solitaire is ok, will sag badly in the rain if not staked out like you would stake out an elephant. But it is fine for your first solo tent. You are doing fine so far. Keep in mind to keep an open mind as you go along, though. Talk to other people on the trail, go on a few group backpacking trips, etc. You can learn a lot that way.

I have gear I have used for 35 years, and I have some of the latest gear. A lot of different things will work fine, sometimes it is just personal preference. Or budget.

[te_wa]

i still have the old style solitaire. its just my backup, in case there are no trees such as the PeFo or some parts of the Tonto tr. in GC etc..

rat cutlery makes some fine knives, good call on that one.

water filter? if you dont pump from very silty locations and just get clean water from streams and other clear sources, you'll be very satisfied with the katadyn hiker Pro.

the pocket rocket is fine, but requires a pot that isnt too "tippy" so you may compare that against the brunton crux or the coleman peak 1 or other more "flat" burners.
dont discount the alcohol stove! it is what i have been using for at least 5 years. my pot is a $2 mug from walmart called "imUSA" and is found in the cutlery section. i use yellow HEET like alex described or you can use Everclear, if it is legal for you to carry. ask mom!

one more thing. never, never wear cotton.

btw, i chose the ula ohm pack for the made in USA quality and the most features for the price in any of the cottage gear packs i was looking for/at.

[azbackpackr]

Never wear cotton? I have heard that all my life but I don't abide by it all the time. You definitely don't want to wear it if there is any chance of getting wet, or during winter. (I break that rule a lot, too, especially in the desert.) A cotton t shirt is ok if you have non-cotton zipoff pants and a non-cotton shirt or fleece you can put on if you get wet. The reason for the no cotton rule is that it is very cold when it gets wet, and you can't get it dry. Jeans are absolutely the worst thing to wear on a backpacking trip. (I still know some long-time backpackers who wear them, though. But I hate jeans, they are uncomfortable to me, so that rule is easy to follow!)

Also, I have long ago given up on cutting, chopping, carving or any other type of alterations of landscape. If I build a fire, I just find wood that is lying around. It is such a drag, though, to walk down along the Black River and see all these fire rings, and other signs of sloppy campers, especially the ones who try to burn cans. You are supposed to get rid of ALL signs of your fire ring, toss the rocks, make sure the fire is soaking wet out, scatter the remnants of it and cover the area with the natural leaves or pine needles so no one can tell you had a fire there at all. The charcoal left behind by one campfire will last 10,000 years. That is why archaeologists can find out stuff about Paleo Indians, because they can radio carbon date their fire rings, to thousands of years. Some campsites have been used for years and are well-known and well-established. For these, I suppose leaving the fire ring is preferable to eliminating it and having someone come along and put in another one 10 feet away.

Our Scout troop once had a project of eliminating fire rings along the dirt roads in the Catalinas. Lot of good it did...ha.