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Complete Newbie Help


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  • #1279325
    Landon Adams
    Member

    @landon

    Hello my background is never backpacked before. I do a lot of day hikes of 2-6 miles (pretty easy terrain). I have two boys (4 and 7). My oldest son asked me while on a bike ride about going camping. I live about an hour from Cohutta in North Georgia. Before I take the kids on a camping trip I figured I need to learn how to do it myself. I've been researching the forums but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what all I need. I'm hoping for a gear list of essentials and what a ballpark cost would be. I like the idea of tarping for shelter when it's just me. Can borrow a tent for the kids when I get comfortable enough to take them. I am an active guy with different hobbies so I don't need to spend a fortune but not wanting to get junk either. Any help would be very appreciated. If I need to give any more information that I missed I will be happy too.

    #1779355
    Andy F
    Spectator

    @andyf

    Locale: Midwest/Midatlantic

    Here are a few useful pages and articles:

    http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/cheap.html

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00034.html (I think this is a free article.)

    http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/backpack-cheap.html

    The backyard and state park drive-up campgrounds are great places to test gear and techniques.

    #1779360
    Jeff J
    Member

    @j-j-81

    Locale: Oregon

    From Gossamer Gear:
    http://www.gossamergear.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ultracheap_Henley.pdf

    From Adventure Alan:
    http://www.adventurealan.com/lightweight_backpacking_gear_list_comfort.pdf

    From Jamie Shortt (who posts on here quite a bit):
    http://lytw8.com/uploads/Cheap_Ultralight_Gear_List.pdf

    From me:
    http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=3572

    Mine is neither the cheapest nor the lightest, but I haven't spent a fortune on it either and it's below 10 lbs. I learned by lurking on these forums and analyzing gear lists and looking up gear that wasn't familiar to me. Learned a LOT. Waiting for deals helped too.

    Jeff

    Edit: Fix spelling

    #1779367
    J Boro
    Member

    @jbend

    Locale: PNW

    Rei has a good general list (not necessarily lightweight though). http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacking+checklist.html

    You can also check out the gear list and the gear deals threads here.

    I'll echo the other response… It's a really good idea to develop your skills in the backyard or car camping. Backpacking requires that you are proficient with your gear in order to stay safe, while going lightweight (tarp, alcohol stove, clothing selection) requires a level of skill that takes a while to acquire. You really don't to be figuring out a tarp with a storm closing in or running out of fuel mid trip.

    #1779376
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    Lots of articles on this site, including gear lists–left hand column:
    http://www.backpacking.net
    A bit heavy by BPL standards, but definitely lightweight. There's an excellent article there about backpacking with kids, too!

    Another vote here for starting in the back yard, or car camping. It's especially important to become thoroughly familiar with your gear before going out. You don't want to be spending your first night trying to set up your shelter in the dark in a howling rainstorm with instructions in one hand and flashlight in the other! Once you've learned how to set up and take down your gear, cook meals, etc., try doing this in inclement weather. Skills in staying dry and warm no matter what the conditions are best learned where you can easily bail out if things get out of hand! Once you're confident in the car-caming scenario, then try going in a mile or two from the trailhead a few times and gradually going farther.

    #1779408
    Michael Ray
    BPL Member

    @topshot

    Locale: Midwest

    Landon,
    Good advice so far. Definitely start by car camping or in your back yard until you're well familiar with your gear and what works for your boys at various temps. You can go backpacking with very cheap and also very heavy gear. I'd advise against the latter, but it depends on your budget and what you can readily find for your boys. I'd suggest you try to borrow a lot of stuff from friends/family to start as well. That would allow you to try different types and brands of gear, too. It's better to go heavy than not at all, and you'll appreciate it more once you progress toward lighter stuff.

    FWIW, I took my youngest (4.5 at the time) and his 13yo brother out for his first trips in April. You can see those videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/topshotrhit (Deam Wilderness and Forest Glen Preserve). The key with kids is that they are the focus. You must go at their pace and keep it fun. They are all different, too, so that can keep it interesting for you (haha).

    #1779424
    Stephan Doyle
    Member

    @stephancal

    There are some good cheap gearlists floating around this forum, if you can find them (IIRC there was a $500 Wal-mart list). Erik the Black (google him) had three on his site last time I checked – he's straightforward, easy to understand, and practical.

    #1779633
    Mary D
    BPL Member

    @hikinggranny

    Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge

    An excellent online source, although dating from 2001 (I wish BPL would update it!): "Lightweight Backpacking 101"
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00034.html

    The last chapter, "Ultralight, Ultracheap" is especially useful.

    Just remember that the specific brands/models of gear listed are, for the most part, woefully out of date. The principles, though, haven't changed!

    #1780144
    Don Wilson
    Spectator

    @nodiak

    Locale: Humboldt County coast, CA.

    Find someone to go with and you'll pick up skills by watching and helping. Friends or maybe ad in local craigslist (could be iffy)? Might be some groups nearby, we did alot of youth group camping as kids/teens. Maybe there's a state park nearby, would have campsites maintained. While my son was growing up we would take off often on weekend spur of the moment campouts at maintained campsites (car is parked right there if need to go). We were lucky to also do stealth beach sleepouts.
    Don

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