Newbie to the forum...

“Hey guys,

I've been stalking the forums and the site for the last week or so. Decided to intro myself and maybe get some words of wisdom from you all.

So, fist off...My name is Miguel. 26, I've been living in TN for about 2 yrs now and have been day-hiking a lot more than I ever have for the past year. Some early-years hiking and camping experience.

So, the longest hikes have been 5.5 miles on "moderate" rated trails, consistenly for the last couple of adventures. And I feel good about those hikes, I'm definitely not gased at the end. My goal is to work up to doing a 8-10 mile day hike on moderate and then upgrade to more difficult rated trails. I'd like to knock out the first goal by summer, for sure. So anyhow, aside from that I've been slowly falling in love with the idea of backpacking. Which is a different beast alltogether, it seems.

I just wanted to be honest and voice some of my concerns as an outside looking into the "sport" (is that right?) and get some feedback on whether or not I'm over-reacting or right in those concerns. That way, I know how to prepare and educate myself for those adventures.

#1. I'm afraid of getting lost. I think this could just be fear of the unknown. I get the feeling like the backcountry is 100% not a place for someone used to day-hikes on well marked and pathed trails. I could be wrong, I could be right, maybe its both depending on the trail. How much marking tends to be out there?

#2. I don't feel comfortable navigating by map and compass, but I'm 100% open to learning. And this is also kind of related to #1.

#3. I'm a big guy. 277lbs, 5'11". Is the backcountry a place for me? Or should I keep on my path of getting into shape and then visit this way later. Granted, I know you never want to bite off more than you can chew even on a day-hike. Surely, I'm not the only chub to wanna go backpacking...I can't be!?!

I think that's good for now. Thanks for dealing with this lengthy post. I can't want to hear back from you guys.

Miguel”

“Miguel. Welcome! Here are my quick opinions for whatever they are worth.

1: Stick to marked trails at first. Even better go with other people - set up camp a couple hundred yards off the trail or at designated areas or stay at shelters.
2: You should have a map and compass and some rudimentary knowledge of how to use them even for day hikes. At the very least make sure you know which end of the needle points north!
3. You can work off some of those pounds backpacking. Start with shorter, modest trips and work up.”

“I love all these new vict....um visitors here to the forum. Let me give you a warm welcome. Come on down to my basement and have a beer...”

“Wow, 2 trolls in one day.

Welcome!

I have never went on a backpacking trip that didn't have blazed trails for that same fear of getting 'lost.' However, I always have a compass with me. If all else fails, note your water source and just follow it out, lol.

There's trips you can sign up for on the trips page of the forum... or start one yourself and have people join up. Start easy and work your way up.

Good tip is to start dayhiking with a full pack on to gauge how you'll feel during a backpacking trip.

I wouldn't worry about the weight - you'll build up strength and work it off in no time with backpacking.”

“scorchy, you really should try a trailess trek. Quite fun really :) But do learn to use a compass and map first. It's fun, but takes a lot longer to make any distance when going cross country.”

“Thanks for the response and the encouragement.

Knowing north would be critical. Haha. I do for the most part know how to use a compass and also how to read a map (maybe not the best, but some general knowledge). It's definitely something I will be looking to educate myself more with and develop.

All the trails I've been looking at do have shelters and I'm guessing they're marked. I suppose I'll just have to do some research and maybe call the ranger office to see what the scoop is. Which I believe is something you're supposed to do anyhow.

I've got my eyes on what will, I think, be my first over-night. It's a 13mile loop trail with shelter part way thru. I imagine it would be managable.”

“thanks...warm welcomes and cold beers...i like this place.”

“
“scorchy, you really should try a trailess trek. Quite fun really :) But do learn to use a compass and map first. It's fun, but takes a lot longer to make any distance when going cross country.”

I know how to use a map and I'm okay with a compass... just makes me nervous. I wouldn't do it alone, only with a group just in case.”

“On the AT there are people who get lost going from the shelter to the privy, but they still manage to follow the trail.”

“thanks! I've been thinking I should really start bringing a weighted pack on my day-hikes. I already bring a pack for water and snacks for the lady and I, so it wouldn't hurt to put some more weight in there to help simulate a backpacking load.”

“put together a Ten, really Twenty Essentials List and pack it. build a good 1st Aid Kit. everybody here will give you a list for that, most of them will have the same items, with a few differences. i can offer you one if you want, i keep one on my myspace, (noted in my profile).”

“Mosoler, no prob. As dumb as it sounds, if you can't get to the trail and really want to start building up some endurance, try bringing a full pack (weighted) to the gym and do the stairmaster.”

“if you live close to Nashville there is a backpackers group on meetup.com”

“Ah ha. I see the plot thickens. Tell us about this "Lady." Any pictures? Please bring her and join us at trail days May 13-15.

BTY, I have lost plenty of weight in GSMNP. Someday I will tell you about both, I once weighed 288.5.”

“One of the easiest things I do to get in shape or stay in shape is to start carrying a pack everywhere. Anything I think I might need + maybe a couple of books. Carrying a few liters of water is great since I can just pour it out if my pack is too heavy.

Also, I never miss a chance to do some extra walking. I skip escalators and elevators whenever reasonable and I never spend time looking for a parking space closer to where I'm going.

I tend to lose 1/2 pound a day backpacking and eat all I want.”

“We used to walk across this long bridge that was under construction next to my office. I would pack 3 concrete test cylinders in my day pack along with water. they weigh over 8 lbs each. The bridge had ramps which I would walk up backwards just so I wouldn't outpace the folks who hated the ramps lol.”

“I don't know what part of TN you live in, but places like the South Cumberland State Park area have well marked trails and are good places to get started. The trails are short enough for you to hike and become more comfortable with backpacking. You can plan longer trips when you're ready.”

“Welcome and good advice was given so I will refrain from that but start slow and build up,physical burnout is prolly #1 reason people quit, now flee!”

“is it me that alwasy gets lost on every trip? I mean I find the trail but not after looking for it forever LOL

fess up peeps!

oh and welcome to the looney bin”

“Mapes, remember when we got lost in the pine barrens with gemini? I think that was the same trip we all ran out of water (with no water source til we got to our camping spot) during the 110 heat wave. Ahh, good times, good times.”

“OP, take a NOLS course, we'll teach you everything you need to know about this sport :D, doesn't mean you won't get lost, but you'll be ok with it.”

“When backpacking, I never consider myself lost as long as I still have food in the pack. Once I have to start foraging, then I am lost.”

“guys,

I've been stalking the forums and the site for the last week or so. Decided to intro myself and maybe get some words of wisdom from you all.

So, fist off...My name is Miguel. 26, I've been living in TN for about 2 yrs now and have been day-hiking a lot more than I ever have for the past year. Some early-years hiking and camping experience.

So, the longest hikes have been 5.5 miles on "moderate" rated trails, consistenly for the last couple of adventures. And I feel good about those hikes, I'm definitely not gased at the end. My goal is to work up to doing a 8-10 mile day hike on moderate and then upgrade to more difficult rated trails. I'd like to knock out the first goal by summer, for sure. So anyhow, aside from that I've been slowly falling in love with the idea of backpacking. Which is a different beast alltogether, it seems.

I just wanted to be honest and voice some of my concerns as an outside looking into the "sport" (is that right?) and get some feedback on whether or not I'm over-reacting or right in those concerns. That way, I know how to prepare and educate myself for those adventures.

#1. I'm afraid of getting lost. I think this could just be fear of the unknown. I get the feeling like the backcountry is 100% not a place for someone used to day-hikes on well marked and pathed trails. I could be wrong, I could be right, maybe its both depending on the trail. How much marking tends to be out there?

#2. I don't feel comfortable navigating by map and compass, but I'm 100% open to learning. And this is also kind of related to #1.

#3. I'm a big guy. 277lbs, 5'11". Is the backcountry a place for me? Or should I keep on my path of getting into shape and then visit this way later. Granted, I know you never want to bite off more than you can chew even on a day-hike. Surely, I'm not the only chub to wanna go backpacking...I can't be!?!

I think that's good for now. Thanks for dealing with this lengthy post. I can't want to hear back from you guys.

With your fears, and lack of skills, you might be better off just keeping with day hiking, and camping near the parking lot. At some point you will figure out, one way or another, if this is something you want to do.”

“Amazing....Muddy is alive!”

“Way to go muddy”

“Amazing....Muddy is alive!�
crazygurl
9:10:12 AM
4/15/11
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Alive and well !”

“Posted in the wrong place, I am sorry.
last edited: 4/15/11 10:43:07 AM”

“Tis amazing...thought you died. Or maybe your email account has been disconnected!”

“He's been preoccupied”

“Nope alive, and keeping in shape. :)
last edited: 4/15/11 11:39:02 AM”

“What part of TN is mosoler from?”

“good to see you muddy

LMAO @ scorch..sick part is, as bad as trips can get, we always go bak for more.
you also got some nasty blister right?”

“Yea, I had to switch from my boots to my Tevas that trip... in the pouring rain the following day. What fun times! Wanna go back and relive it? Seriously though.”

“I live in middle TN, so nashville will not be a long ride at all. And, I have seen the meetup site.

Thanks for all your input guys. You've given me plenty to think about and I think I feel a bit better about making that first trip, when I do. Just a matter of being prepared and placing one foot infront of the other.”

“Get a GPS and learn how to use it. You'll never get lost again...

Go for it dood. It's good for the body, mind and soul!”

“GPS...that's definitely an idea! If all else fails consult the GPS. That'll take all the guess work out of it.

"Take---left---at---fallen tree"”

“Yeah dood, just mark the car before you leave(waypioint) and it'll take you back to that spot within 9 feet from anywhere on Earth.”

“�He's been preoccupied�
tenjen

And how would you know that Ten Jen?”

“That sounds great. I think i wanna rough it for now via map+compass if I can. It'll feel good to learn that skill, then once i'm over that phase, i'll look into going the GPS route.”

““�He's been preoccupied�
tenjen

And how would you know that Ten Jen?”
crazygurl
1:31:27 PM
4/15/11
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Ah, well, I don't want to give away all his secrets”

“I'm sure you have plenty TJ”

“Cuz it's her turn to keep up with me :)”

“Cuz it's her turn to keep up with me :)”

“Well bless her heart!”

“hi.”

“Ok then crazygurl, I'll do that for you.”

“PSST, Mosoler! Stay away from Spirit Coyote's basement. It's not even a real basement, just a hatch in the floor to a crawl space. You can thank me later.”

“Thanks for the word of caution. I rather not end up in an Old Greg situation.”

““Cuz it's her turn to keep up with me :)”
muddy
4:35:49 PM
4/15/11
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And that's a full time job ;)”