Beginner needs advice

imported
#1

Hello,
I am planning a 3 day hike on the AT in Massachusets in September and need advice on gear I need and what sections you would recommend for a beginner. Any comments, tips, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

zzeeker

#2

go light, lighter is always better, wear shoes, not boots, and the most expensive is not always the best, i recommend the smokies for a beginning section, kinda strenuous but amazing, but thats kinda far from mass.

clong

#3

You should be hiking every weekend at least 10 miles or so, otherwise your 3 day will be a one day. Hiking is very strenous—and 8 hour day of backpacking is a 5000 calories burn and the equivalent of running a marathon. Are you really ready to run a marathon for 3 days in a row. I’d plan maybe 5 to 10 miles a day unless you are in tip top hiking/backpacking shape.

Any place on the AT is good. Might want to do some short sections in case your body tells you that you need to get off the trail.

Go light is good advice. Shoes okay if going real light, but heavy loads require good support for feet/ankles and boots are the better choice for heavy loads and heavy duty hiking. But to each his or her own.

Remember it is supposed to be fun, not devasting to the body, spirit and soul. So take it easy and enjoy.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#4

ZZ, Just a few random thoughts from another beginner. (a) once you have landed on what “type” of gear, a good place to get it fairly cheaply is www.campmor.com, (b) Don’t be shy about buying gear that is the 2003 model or 2004 close-outs, © Consider making a Pepsi alcohol stove - you can get instructions on the web by looking up earlier threads on this forum, (d) most people use hiking staffs, (e) most people use internal frame backpacks, (f) food will be your most “complex” area to plan - so keep it as simple as possible (Mac and Cheese? Poptarts?), (g) you can get a rain suit from Frogg Toggs and they will be useful to you later whether or not you continue hiking, (h) the toughest part of the preparation is the mental aspect of keeping your expectations in line with the reality of what you will encounter (monotony, rain, gear failure, hygiene puzzles, endurance - it ain’t a walk thru Six Flags).
Finally, I would suggest you pick a mileage target (say, 55 miles) and start that many miles North from Damascus and hike back to end up at Damascus as your goal. You will go thru the State Park with the horses and when you’re done, you can get a beer at Dot’s. Perhaps Jeff at Mt Rogers Outfitters will tote you to the starting point and you can leave your car at the finish line. Hope this helps. Bum

Damascus Bum

#5

Hey, Mass. was an awesome state. If you are looking to hike there, I loved the stretch from Salisbury, CT up Lions Head and Bear Mtn then crossing into Massachusetts. Sages Ravine or Sawmill brook is small little stream with wonderful waterfalls and rocky outcroppings. Then a long climb up Race Mountain. I loved Race Mtn, the climb is on open rock and the views are spectacular. Also the vultures were fun to watch.

If you would continue to South Egremont, that would be 18.5 miles, a solid 2 days for a weekend hike. Feel free to email. Easy to add another days worth or spend time farting around the hills there.

Or just throw a dart at the AT map in MA. It’s all good.

walk fast

Officer Taco

#6

My only advice is to plan on lower-mile days so you can enjoy yourself. Also, bring your raingear, just in case!

Sage’s Ravine is a very nice area in MA. Personally, I’d plan it so you have some time at Upper Goose Pond Shelter.

???

#7

Buy Ray Jardine’s Book and follow is religiously (using common sense of course). Consider cold food or a pepsi-can stove. Lightweight is the only way.

Tell it like it is

#8

I just started hiking this year and love it. My advice is to rent or borrow as much gear as possible for your first couple of hikes. You, as I have, will learn so much from other hikers about gear…what you really need, light weight gear, etc. Just ask other hikers at the shelters. Believe me…gear people like to talk about gear! If I was purchasing gear with the knowledge I have now I would have bought different stuff. “Maintain” has great advice regarding daily mileage. I have run 4 marathons in my life and continue to run long distances, but hiking kicks my butt!(In a good way…) Hike just a few miles per day and you will enjoy your trip. You will also meet very interesting and friendly people. Good luck and have fun.

Eric

#9

Of course the lighter you are the easier it will be to travel further distances. Plan 2 - 3 days if you can. Do like 2 miles Friday afternoon to get into the woods and set up camp. Then do like 6-8 miles a day for the last two. That will allow you to enjoy yourself at lunch and other breaks, as well as get to where you are going. Don’t follow anybody’s advice to a tee. Everybody is different. My wife and I thruhiked the entire trail last year and I still finished with a 45lb (fully loaded pack) at the end. It was just personal preference (and I was still hiking 25 mile days). Check out our website at hiking.sanwalddesigns.com for more info. The best piece of advice is to rent or borrow things so you can try them out. Then as you get more experience you’ll know what to get. If that isn’t possible, read as many hiking web journals, books, etc. as possible and figure out what is best for you. Some of my friends used running shoes (and went faster, but messed up their ankles easier), I used boots and was glad to have the ankle support. Rain gear is also something you’ll get used to not having. Food is a learning curve, bring plenty and have fun.
FatCat

Michael Sanwald (FatCat)

#10

I would try to borrow a pack as soon as possible and load it up with what you think you’ll need. Then take several five mile hikes with it. That way you’ll get used to carrying it, and also you’ll be able to figure out what you do and don’t need. Don’t bother with a lot of extra clothes. You’ll want hiking clothes, sleeping clothes and a jacket. Also rain gear. I personally believe in boots. The tent or no tent question is a weighty one. If the shelters are within 8-10 miles of each other, you could probably do without a tent. That would make things a lot lighter. Central Massachusetts, south of Route 20 is nice. Also, don’t bother with food designed specifically for camping, like MOuntain House meals. They’re too expensive. Get Lipton’s pasta sides, and put liquid margarine into a little plastic squirt bottle. You should have a great time. Here’s one final tip. If you have a relationship with your local outfitter, he/she might be willing to go over your pack contents with you and show you how to pack it. It made all the difference in the world for me.

Anne Chase

#11

Jardine’s book will help tremendously. Read it more than once. I always find new nuggets of truth each time I review it. He’s the real deal, and shares the knowledge.

tha wookie

#12

The least favorite part of my “job” is having to retrieve hikers from the trail that were poorly prepared for the trip. They are usually bewildered and embarrassed and often physically and emotionally exhausted! I feel so bad for them sometimes… SOMETIMES I want to kick their butts! (Some people should not be allowed to plan their own hikes!) Their is no real way the be prepared for everything and there always is that FIRST hike which will teach you sooo much.
I am planning a series of Backpacking Workshops to be hosted by Miss Janet’s House and led by “Experienced” long distances backpackers. The goal is to make a hands on learning experience that will cover the basics of backpacking for beginners and other workshops planned to cover special topics and needs. I am putting together a online group of advisers to aid me in planning so drop me a line if you are interested in helping me. This is turning into a MAJOR project now that the Forest Service is involved.

Miss Janet