Basics of Hiking? - General

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23194540]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.[/QUOTE] A simple pocket knife, you don't want to carry your rambo knife the whole trip, do you?

[QUOTE=T.F.W.O.;23194564]A simple pocket knife, you don't want to carry your rambo knife the whole trip, do you?[/QUOTE] No, i have done that in my woods just walking around and its a bitch! So my swiss will accompany me. Should i bring a book? I have seen guys who trek in the tropical jungles on tv and they even cut the covers of their books off to lose a few grams of weight.

[QUOTE]1.What types of boots should i wear? (I will be hiking in the mountains of western Pennsylvania.) [/QUOTE] Get some nice Gore-Tex boots that go above your ankles, that will help keep the water out and keep you comfortable. Wear sock liners, then a comfortable pair of long socks over them. It'll wick the moisture away and keep your feet from getting blisters hopefully. Also make sure you break your boots in before going on a major hike, you'll get tons of blisters if you don't. [QUOTE]2. Amount and types of clothing?[/QUOTE] Light synthetic clothing. Avoid cotton whenever possible, especially cotton underwear. If it gets damp with sweat it'll cause chafing from not drying and friction and well - It's not very pleasant. Bring a nice wide brimmed hat and a hiking staff if you can, bring an extra pair of socks and liners. Keeping your socks dry is important. Under Armour works well as a synthetic clothing, and it dries really fast. As for gear make sure you have a freaking loud whistle with you in case of an emergency. Whistles carry a very long distance when your cell has no signal, remember three blasts of a whistle is a universal help sign. Make sure you tell someone when you're leaving, where you're going, and when you expect to be back. Bring a rain jacket and pants if weather takes a turn for the worst. Bring a sleeping bag/pad to keep your body off the ground so your heat doesn't get sucked out into the earth overnight if you're making camp. [QUOTE]3. Do i need permission to set up camp in a state forest?[/QUOTE] Not sure on this one, it depends on the state regulations. [QUOTE]4. How am i supposed to fit food in my pack? Or do i even bring that much food?[/QUOTE] Pack light food, preferably snacks and protein bars and the like. Packets of chicken (Tyson brand I've had before), crackers, a little candy, a baggie of pretzels, ect. On the other hand, bring LOTS of water. Dehydration is one of the worst things that can happen while hiking besides hypothermia. [QUOTE]I love the outdoors and appreciate nature, so please facepunch answer these questions for me.[/QUOTE] Same, as an Eagle Scout with over 300 miles hiked in his life so far I do as well. Hiking in the outdoors is fun, you just gotta be careful and come prepared. EDIT: If you're bringing a friend split gear weight between the two of you. Helps a a lot, trust me. For a knife, get one that's not longer than the width of your palm+thumb. Bring some waterproof matches, a small LED flashlight, a first aid kit, and some parachute cord with you too.

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23194604]No, i have done that in my woods just walking around and its a bitch! So my swiss will accompany me. Should i bring a book? I have seen guys who trek in the tropical jungles on tv and they even cut the covers of their books off to lose a few grams of weight.[/QUOTE] Depends on what you're hauling with you. You don't want to fill your pack to the point where you'll be tired out from hiking for just 20 minutes. Pack light. If you bring a book, don't bring something that has a billion pages, as it will add weight.

[url]http://www.rei.com/product/626974[/url] OMG I love these socks. They're absolutely amazing for hiking in the summer and they're so toasty warm in the winter. They go up to my knees in case it gets buggy too. In addition to what everyone else is saying I'd make sure to pack bug spray, particularly if you're going to be going through a damp area. If there is ANYPLACE where you're going near that is the slightest bit swampy, make sure to bring some very lightweight longsleeve shirts and pants. Depending on how high up you go, it might be very warm during the day but cold at night so pack appropriately.

:siren: If you can, don't forget about bug repellent. You'll regret it, believe me.

This is very coincidental, I'm actually leaving to climb Kilimanjaro tomorrow. Gaiters are also very useful if you are going through loose rocks or mud.

[QUOTE=kevn150;23194923]This is very coincidental, I'm actually leaving to climb Kilimanjaro tomorrow. Gaiters are also very useful if you are going through loose rocks or mud.[/QUOTE] Good luck to you man, sounds epic. Take some pictures for us FP'ers!

[QUOTE=IwuvWafflez;23193781]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.[/QUOTE] 1. Waterproof Hiking Boots. [url]http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1760482&cp=2367438.2367824.2277089.2368759.2361225[/url] I know they cost alot, but wet socks aren't fun at all. 2. Bring extra sets of boxer/breifs(however you roll), a sweater(it can be cold in the night, even in the summer), and the basics, I don't reccomend jeans though, because they aren't very flexible, normally gym shorts will do. Also, something you don't really mind getting slightly dirty. 3. I don't beleive you do, but do some research about where you live to make sure. 4. Bring lots of dehyrdrated food. Its very compact and easy to make. Make sure you have water, and lot's of it. I prefer having 3-4 liters every 2 miles, so don't forget that.

[QUOTE=kevn150;23194923]This is very coincidental, I'm actually leaving to climb Kilimanjaro tomorrow. Gaiters are also very useful if you are going through loose rocks or mud.[/QUOTE] Wow that is fantastic, you are so lucky. Good luck, and i was thinking about gaiters.

Try to wear long-sleeved shirts, and layer accordingly, even though it's hot and humid, because the long sleeves can be rolled up anyway and help keep the sun off your skin. Hiking pants are best because they are breathable and won't chafe. Also, pick a pack that is comfortable. Wool socks are a good idea because they stay warm even if they are wet. Just like in Forrest Gump, change your socks. Wear sunscreen, a widebrim hat, and sunglasses. Oh yeah, don't overexert yourself and be sure to drink plenty of water. Since you're gonna be doing overnight stuff, wake up early so that you can get a headstart when it's the coolest temperature wise. BTW: the freeze dried stuff is pretty delicous although it's expensive (7 bucks). If you're a big eater plan on getting a 4 person one from Mountain House.

1. Put on shoes 2. Walk forward

Do NOT set traps, unless it's an emergency or if you have a license. Setting your own traps is illegal, especially in national parks and forests. You could endanger someone's life, and the punishment for setting hand-made/illegal traps is severe. Bring your own food, and keep it well stored to avoid bears or any other animals from foraging your supplies. Also, wear your clothes in layers, that way it will be easy to regulate your body temperature. Make sure that your boots have thick soles. I've had lots of times where I've stepped on something nasty that pierced my sole. But Colorado is different from Pennsylvania, so it might be different there. Bring a GPS or a satellite phone (if you have the money) if you get lost. If you can't afford any of those, then bring a map of the local area and a compass, and make sure to mark where you are going. Try to make sure that the total weight of what you're carrying is not bigger than half your body weight. You may seem confident, but you might have second thoughts when you're hiking and realize that your shoulders are heavily strained. When packing, put essential things, such as a flashlight, first aid kit, etc., in the places that are easy to reach. Once again, take ONLY what is necessary, as useless weight will slow you down and lessen the chances of you enjoying hiking.

[QUOTE=Slasha00;23193821]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.[/QUOTE] Even though when you get into a dense wood the signal will drop faster than a lead weight.

Good socks. I was out buying marching socks yesterday, and had a fairly long talk with one of the staff at the shop. You want medium-thickness seamless socks that are built for long walks, that are long enough to protect your entire foot and lower leg from the boots. He also suggested that you wear nylon socks underneath them so the friction in the boot will be between the nylon sock and the outer sock, instead of between your foot and the sock. Good socks also help move the humidity of the boot away from points where friction is known to occur, to recude the chance of blisters. Wet skin + friction = blister Proper socks will easily run your 20€ a pair though, but they'll be worth it, especially if you plan on hiking more than just this one week.

OK, looks like I need to do some sock shopping. Any recommendations for a type of walkie talkie? I don't have a wide brimmed hat, would a baseball cap suffice?

Don't walk off the cliffs

If you can find em, a pair of US Leggings from WWII are absolutely awesome for walking long distances. Not only do they keep your boots tight against your feet, but they keep brush, dirt and sand out, prevent thorns and various nasties from stabbing you in the shins and they also support your calf muscles. Just make sure the string hooks are facing backwards and on the outside of your leg so they don't get caught on stuff. [img]http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7592/m38leggingst.jpg[/img]

1. Water Proof Hiking Boots. 2. [B]Wear -[/B] Shorts - T Shirt - Hiking Boots [B]Just in case... Carry: [/B]-Jeans -Light Jacket(over shirt or whatever the hell you call it) 3. Truly depends on what forest it is... Arizona is pretty anal, but when I lived in New York the curtsy rule was just clean up behind yourself. 4. Depends what hike your doing... From living in Arizona... I have to bring the following. -Dehydrated Meat(Beef Jerky) or Trail Mix -Two (2) Liters of Water. -Swiss Army Knife My Comments: Before getting out, and hiking I recommend you learn the area you entering, and make sure you know the hazards which are there. You probably should visit a book store, and pick up some books for id'ing plants, animal tracks, and otherwise. Some survival tips I'll offer you... Bring some 4-8 pound test fishing line, trout hooks, and a digging trowel. If I remember correctly... Your water from ground level point is about 3-5 inches... So it shouldn't be to much of a dig for you to get water, but make sure you can bring a small pot or something for purifying. You should also be prepared to make deathfall traps for small animals if you find yourself in a very bad situation. I'm getting ahead of myself... I don't truly know the size of the forest your doing ,but I'm aiming for getting lost in mountains like the Foothills or Kit Peak. Oh! A pro-tip... Stay the heck away from caves. Bears, Cougars, Lynx, and Wolfs love em'. [editline]08:58AM[/editline] [url]http://www.omahas.com/index.php[/url] Military Surpluses are bomb for buying stuff for hiking!

[QUOTE=RR_Raptor65;23204098] [img]http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7592/m38leggingst.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Those are awesome. I am going to go to my local army navy store because they usually have a tri-fold shovel for around 7 dollars. I will be hiking in foothills hopefully and there are all of those animals except for wolves, only coyotes.