Question #2 - What Kind of Gear Do I Need?

Ok, now this is a great question for me. Why? Because I love new Backpacking Gear! - Thus the website name GearWild.com Anyhow, back on subject . . .

The typical gear list will very from your experience level to personal preference. However, almost every first time backpacker brings too much junk with them on the first trip. Why do I say this? In backpacking the expression "every ounce counts" really rings true. Everything you put in your backpack is going to make it heavier! And everything you add will take up space. If you're heading into the wild for the first time, chances are you don't have all the latest, coolest, lightest, smallest, gear available. - Unless you check out my store that is! - Sorry I just had to add that! haha :)

So, then if you don't have all the great gear, you're probably going to be lugging along some older stuff you've had laying around or could borrow from friends. And there is nothing wrong with that! That is exactly how I started. Not too many people can afford to go out and buy everything brand new for their first trip!

But the main thing to remember is this: Don't overpack! You won't need 6 Rolls of Toilet Paper, 2 Knives, 1000 Feet of Rope if you're just going for a short weekend trip. You won't need that big bottle of syrup for your pancakes. (I actually have a friend that carried a large bottle of syrup up the entire side of a mountain so he'd have delicious pancakes the next morning! Boy did we laugh at him!) You won't need the 8 cans of Campbells Soup. You won't need a cast iron skillet to cook with! There are simple ways to keep things light, yet to be sure you've got what you need.

First off, sit down and ask yourself if you will really use the item you are considering putting into your pack! Chances are you won't need a bottle of aspirin, but you may need 4 pills. As I mentioned above, you're going to need Toilet Paper, but can you just spool some off a roll and pack it in a ziplock bag? You can also take that large bottle of syrup and put it in a 2 ounce bottle so you're not lugging the entire container around.

I can tell you from experience that you will only use half of what you take! I always come home and ask myself, "Why did I take 2 knives (or whatever it is) on that trip. I barely used one!" So, be realistic. Remember, "every ounce counts!"

Now that we've spent all this time talking about what NOT to take, lets get back on topic. "What Should I Take with Me on My Backpacking Trip?"

First Off, You'll need a decent backpack! They will very in weight and price. Find something in the middle of the that bracket and you'll be good to go. The size you need will very depending on the trip you're taking. But a good rule of thumb would be to buy a pack about 3500 cubic inches for a typical weekend trip. (If you get a 3500 cubic inch pack you will be less inclined to overfill it because you won't have any extra space to hall around extra junk!) If you're heading out for a weeklong trip you'll need something around 5500 -6500 cubic inches.

In addition to a backpack, you'll need a good sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Check the weight on these guys. They very tremendously! Buy the lightest sleeping bag you can afford. I generally recommend a good 15 or 20 Degree Mummy Style Bag that is "Stuff-able." You want a bag that either comes with or can be put in a stuff sack and smashed down in your pack. A 15 or 20 Degree bag will be a good all around bag you can use in Spring, Summer, and Fall. The sleeping pad will provide a layer of comfort between you and the ground and, most importantly, will provide an extra layer of insulation so that the cold ground doesn't pull your body heat away!

I personally use the Big Agnes Lost Ranger Sleeping Bag with the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Pad. Its the best sleep system I've ever experienced!

Next, you'll need good boots! I always recommend boots that have a Gore-Tex (or generic waterproof - breathable membrane) lining in them. Why? Because they will keep your feet Dry and they will allow your feet to breath at the same time. Generally "Synthetic" Boots are going to be lighter than Leather Boots. Synthetics also break-in easier. Always look for a rubber lip on the Toe of the Boot. You'll be surprized how quickly the front/top of the Toe in the Boot gets beat up. A Rubber/Plastic Lip on it will make your boots last longer. Now, after you purchase your boots, BREAK THEM IN BEFORE YOUR TRIP! Don't wait till the day you're ready to head out to put them on for the first time. You want to wear them and break them in so your feet are not abused on your first Backpacking trip.

Finally, you need a good Tent! I generally recommend you purchase a 2 person tent. This will give you a little more space if you're hiking alone, but it will give you the flexibility of bringing a companion along with you. What should you buy? Again, buy the lightest tent you can afford. Make sure it has "Taped Seems" so that water doesn't leak in if it rains while you're sleeping.

The Tent I use is the Big Agnes Copper Spur. It was Rated #1 by Backpacker Magazine. It provides alot of room, stays dry, and weighs next to nothing!

If you get those 4 main components, you're starting out great! The items above are the items you should spend the most money on! They will be the items that will take the most abuse and the items that can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and a miserable trip.

What about everything else? Stay Tuned. I'll be posting again soon with more details!

Questions? Need Advice? As always, feel free to email me at gearwild@gmail.com

And don't forget to check out my great Gear at http://www.gearwild.com/

Question #1: Can I Really Just Hike Into the Mountains and Make My Own Camp?

When you are planning a backpacking trip, you need to do just that! You Need to PLAN! While you certainly can just hike into the Mountains in some places, you shouldn't just make a snap decision and start hiking. Why? Simply put, without proper planning you will get yourself into trouble.

Why do we say that? If you have never backpacked before, there are a lot of things to consider. First, you need to know if its legal for you just to plop down a tent somewhere in the mountains. Why? Each area has its own regulations.

National Forests (picture above Monogahela National Forest) typically have the least restrictions; however, even they have restrictions as to what you can and can not do. For example, they will probably allow you to set up an overnight camp as long as you are away (out of view) from the trail; however, they may or may not allow you to have a campfire.

On the other hand, a National Park has much greater restrictions. Generally you are required to have a permit for overnight backcountry camping and generally that permit is only valid in a given spot for each night.

So then, you do some Research and decide where you would like to go, what is allowed, and what is not allowed!

After Researching your destination, then its time decide exactly where you want to go in that destination! For example, if you decide you want to hike the Grand Canyon where in the Grand Canyon do you want to Backpack? Do you want to hike the rim or deep into the canyon?

Now, the most important part! Absolutely Do Not Just Drive to the Park or Forest and Start Hiking without following the steps below! Each year there are many reports of people failing to plan ahead and getting, lost, injured, or even killed because they failed to prepare!

First off, make sure you know how to read a Map! Topograpical maps show the layout of the land, valley, streams, moutains, and more. Its very important to have a map of the area you will be in and know how to read it! Those little lines can get confusing if you don't understand what they really mean!

Now, you might think, "Well, I'm just gonna follow the trail. I don't need a map!"

I'm here to tell you, that is the WRONG PLAN! Why? Because, even though I've hiked in many places, I still loose the trail at times! I've even lost the trail when I hiked the exact same trail the year before! Its very easy to do. You start looking at a view or talk to your friend and before you know you've lost your way! A map will help you get to your destination safely when something like that happens!

Second, always make sure that your map has your trails or route marked on it before you leave! Mark your route, your planned campsites, your distances, where the nearest water sources is, etc. Its much easier to plan this out in your living room than trying to figure out where you need to go when its pouring down rain or snowing on you!

Third, Don't Over Do It! Most first time backpacker's have a tendency (me included, even now) to plan a much tougher trip than they really should. What do we mean by this? Hiking up the side of a mountain 2000 feet is tough! Going 5000 feet up a mountain can be miserable if you're not prepared. Hiking 1 mile with 40 lbs of weight on your back can be tough. Hiking 10 miles with 40 lbs of weight can be miserable if you aren't prepared. In other words, for your first trip make it EASY! Those mountains are much taller than they look on the map, the streams are much wider (and deeper) than they appear on paper. And those distances between campsites are much farther than they appear too! If you kill yourself (or your friends) on the first trip, you probably won't be planning another one later!

Remember, your goal is to enjoy the wild! Not to need rescued! Not to be miserable! And believe me, if you plan well, your trip will be amazing! There is no better experience than being out in the Wild! Give it a Shot and You'll Be Glad You Did! I know I am!

Questions? Email me at gearwild@gmail.com or check out our secure website at GearWild.com

First Time Backpacker?

If you are thinking of taking your first backpacking trip, chances are you've had some questions like these?

1.) Can You Really Just Hike Into the Mountains and Make Your Own Camp?

2.) What Kind of Gear Do I Need?

3.) What About the Bears?

4.) What Do I Eeat?

5.) How Do I Cook My Meal?

The Question List can go on and on! At GearWild.com we are here to help!

Over the Next Week, I will answer each of these Questions! By the time we're done, you will feel confident enough to enjoy the Wild on your own - or maybe with a group of friends :)

Meanwhile, if you need some advice on an upcoming trip, please feel free to email me at gearwild@gmail.com We love the Wild! And We Love to Talk About It!!

Stay Tuned . . .

Looking for a Great Place to Hike?

Over the last several years, I have hiked in Many Places, however, one place really stands out for backpacking and hiking trips! Where?

Glacier National Park in Montana, USA

Why is it so great? The place is packed with Amazing Views, Excellent Trails, and Wildlife!

The above picture is just one of the beautiful views, just off the Going to the Sun Road. Glacier truly is an amazing place. On our last trip, we spent 10 Days in the Park, Backpacking almost the whole time.

While you need permits for overnight backpacking, if you can make it up there, its well worth the time and effort! You won't be disappointed! We hiked to Cracker Lake, No Name Lake, Upper Two Medicine Lake, Cobalt Lake and many more places. These places are awesome! We caught trout and grilled them up! Wow! That was some good eating! Everyone knows that I love the Mountain House and Backpacker's Pantry meals that I sell at http://www.gearwild.com/ but nothing can compare to the Fresh Rainbow Trout of Glacier National Park.

Thinking of taking a trip, email me at gearwild@gmail.com and I'll give you some suggestions and send you some pics! Thanks for stopping by!

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