Basics of Hiking? - General

I am urging to hike, and i mean backpacking through the woods for a week out in the woods. The hiking weather will be hot and humid. I have intermediate experience in camping and i have experience with manly outdoor tools like hatchets and knives. I can kill an animal just fine. There will be no guns allowed on my hiking trips, i would assume i could just snare rabbits and other rodents. Am missing one of the points of hiking which may be to hunt too? Again, I want my hiking trips to last about a week just for reference. Here is a list of questions i would like to be answered. 1.What types of boots should i wear? (I will be hiking in the mountains of western Pennsylvania.) 2. Amount and types of clothing? 3. Do i need permission to set up camp in a state forest? 4. How am i supposed to fit food in my pack? Or do i even bring that much food? I love the outdoors and appreciate nature, so please facepunch answer these questions for me.

I only have one piece of advice: Bring a cellphone AND a walkie talkie that can speak on a wide variety of channels. Keep them in an always easy to reach place.

Good idea, i completely forgot about cellphones....

Wear hiking boots, pack filling nutritious food, expect everything weatherwise even if you check the weather station before heading out. And I'm pretty sure you need to get a license to hunt, maybe camp as well.

OK, i did not know there are camping licenses. I was also thinking that combat boots would suffice for foot ware because they are well made and waterproof but uncomfortable.

Bring a lot of food, I heard bears don't like that kind of stuff.

I'm honestly not sure about camping licenses, but it would be something to check. I know a National Park near me has campsites that are more primitive and secluded than regular ones that might interest you, unless you want to pull a Hatchet or something [editline]11:31PM[/editline] oh shit, and about bears. Make sure you bag all your food up each night and tie the bag to a high up branch in a tree that's a bit away, so that bears don't get at it while you're sleeping

socks SOCKS [B]SOCKS[/B] You can never have enough socks. But never use cotton, use smart wool socks.

If you run into a bear pretend [B]YOU'RE A BIGGER BEAR GRAWGHRGHGHG[/B]

[QUOTE=T.F.W.O.;23194172]socks SOCKS [B]SOCKS[/B] You can never have enough socks. But never use cotton, use smart wool socks.[/QUOTE] Why not wool, i always that wool was best because it stayed dry when it got wet.

Get the book "Bushcraft". Also, hiking means you probably wouldn't have a static campsite, meaning snares and other traps wouldn't make much sense.

I misread the title as "Basics of Viking".

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23194211]Why not wool, i always that wool was best because it stayed dry when it got wet.[/QUOTE] polyester/nylon shit is where it's at now.

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23194211]Why not wool, i always that wool was best because it stayed dry when it got wet.[/QUOTE] If you have wool socks, that is perfectly fine. Just don't use cotton!

[QUOTE=T.F.W.O.;23194233]If you have wool socks, that is perfectly fine. Just don't use cotton![/QUOTE] Damn, i read your reply wrong. MY bad. OK Wool, i was right, i have so many of those socks from chopping wood in the winter.

Put one foot in front of the other.

whiteblaze.com Awesome website if you want to learn how to hike. For footwear, wear boots. But ONLY boots that are well worn in. NEVER wear brand new boots, you'll seriously injure your feet. Take clothing that you're most comfortable in. If it's hot out, dress for the heat. If it's cold, dress for the cold. I would suggest to always bring a spare jacket, just in case of what ever reason. If you get too hot with it, tie it around your waist. As for food - pack stuff that is small, but filling. And, under no circumstances, bring nuts or "trail mix". Contrary to their advertisement, it's HORRIBLE to bring nuts while doing physical work, like hiking. Nuts have certain chemicals in them that, when hiking, will seriously stress your heart out. And, for the camping, I'm pretty sure you need permission to camp in a State Park. In any case, it's best to check regardless just to be sure.

Bring a first aid kit no matter what, Bring a emergency kit too with small food ration, emergency blanket etc. Check weather conditions for that day and the next few days ahead. Let someone know when you're leaving and when you should be back. If something happens and you don't come back on the date you said they'll know something is wrong and will call for help. Dress accordingly and depending on how long your trip is take some extra clothes. Learned most of these things from hunting myself, but great for any type of outdoors trip. Common sense is the key along with preparation.

Buy these fuckers. [IMG]http://www.travelgearblog.com/files/2007/04/chaco-sandal.jpg[/IMG] If hiking boots are more of your thing, I also have a pair of Merrell hiking boots which are good. The main thing to keep in mind is, if you are using boots make sure they're adequately broken in. Nothing sucks more than having to hike in new shoes that have not yet 'formed' to your feet.

[B]The 10 Essentials of Hiking[/B] 1. Map 2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver) 3. Sunglasses and sunscreen 4. Extra food and water 5. Extra clothes 6. Headlamp (outdoor)/flashlight 7. First aid kit 8. Fire starter 9. Matches 10. Knife

Also, [url]www.moosejaw.com[/url] and [url]www.campmor.com[/url] is where I get my stuff unless you have an R.E.I. in your area. The staff at R.E.I. is very knowledgeable and friendly.

Lol at the cellphone suggestions. I live right next to a state park in North Carolina, and we don't get shit for signal out here.... Wear your favored, comfortable hiking boots and clothing that you feel comfortable in. If you're going to an area that requires a lot of river crossing, there are sandals made for hiking that are incredibly useful. It's pretty basic knowledge unless you're doing the hardcore stuff. Nylon clothing is awesome since it helps wick away sweat and water. Always bring something to dry off with in case of water as well. At our forest, you're required to check into the park office if you want to set up camp. This is mostly done to keep track of people to make sure you weren't being stupid and fell off a hillside or a bear decided to come nom your face. Food; trail mix and other dry foods you just add water (camelback water packs are ace) are preferred for weight. My parents have an entire mini cooking kit they use when they go out camping, and it all weighs less than 5 lbs. Food for a few days can range from a pound or four. Also; first aid kit. Edit; Holy crap, that took longer to write out than I thought. Ninja'd multiple times.

Wow OK, thats a lot of information to take in from 6 posts. First aid kit is a great idea. I am thinking about bringing a friend along.

Pack nothing but Clif bars. You'll need nothing else.

Most important thing: Avoid blisters. If you so much as feel a blister forming on a big hike, stop. Rest with your boot off for 30 minutes, water your foot down, dry it, continue on.

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23194405]Wow OK, thats a lot of information to take in from 3 posts. First aid kit is a great idea. I am thinking about bringing a friend along.[/QUOTE] Good plan, you two could share the weight of any camping/hiking gear, which means you could probably make better distance. Carry whistles. If you two get lost from each other some how, whistles will help get you two back.

These kind of socks are worth every dollar. [url]http://www.rei.com/category/4501773/q/Men's[/url] As for your other concerns: Boots: comfortable, broken in, toes don't run into the from of the boot. Clothing: research the weather there, bring clothes for both hat and cold weather, wet and dry. Permission: I don't know park laws in Pennsylvania, here in California you need a permit. Food: Your food should go in bear vault, if there are bears. [url]http://www.rei.com/product/768902[/url] That's my advice. [editline]07:50PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;23194341][B]The 10 Essentials of Hiking[/B] 1. Map 2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver) 3. Sunglasses and sunscreen 4. Extra food and water 5. Extra clothes 6. Headlamp (outdoor)/flashlight 7. First aid kit 8. Fire starter 9. Matches 10. Knife[/QUOTE]

Smartwools are expensive, but [B]sooo [/B]worth it.

Climb rocks in your undies. That's all you need to know.

In terms of knives what should i bring? A Rambo knife? A pocket knife or buck knife? I have a swiss army knife and a buck 410 knife which are both great. I also have a Coghlan's magnesium fire starter which ill use if i run out of matches for some reason.