Intro Post

I'm unsure if there is a sticky to post these, but I wanted to make an intro post as I began my time here.

I came across this place after reading a few post on Backpackinglite forums, and then finding a recommendation at candlepower forums. Both were random visits, but I think I may have found a new home.

I'm a currently-serving US Marine infantryman living and working aboard Camp Pendleton. I've been at it for over 20 years, have carried a lot of heavy loads a long way, but never got into doing it outside my profession. After arthroscopic surgery to repair a meniscus tear and generally weakening knee, I hike for exercise to avoid the impact of long distance running. My most memorable hikes are marching in the 'heavy' category at the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon, and a 12-hr forced march along jungle goat trails from Camp Schwab to Camp Hansen on Okinawa, Japan many moons ago.

I think I'd consider myself most knowledgeable about multi-day hiking, since I've mostly carried existence loads, and I enjoyed the odd looks when I've pulled out a DIY penny stove in the field. I enjoy the outdoors and the feel of a crisp morning after a good night's sleep, and hope to make a few hiking acquaintances to share safe hike times with around SOCAL and the W. Coast.

-Jon

ETA: I forgot to mention that I use gear built primarily for mil purposes, hate the fact that our procurement folks have said, "Here's your new type pack," to us three times in the past 12 yrs (but each new pack wasn't better or lighter). I also wanted to hike the AT since I was eight or so, and saw a Nat Geo article on it.

Welcome! I'm further north in the state of Jefferson, otherwise the real N Kalifornia, not San Fran.
Another new pack. That's what bugs me about our gov'ment, the waste, spending on junk or over priced stuff.
Enjoy the outdoors, I've been out 3 times already this winter snow camping. A little crisper than cool mornings in the summer. Looking forward to longer days, at least here soon.
Duane

Welcome.

Welcome Jon!

Be sure to read the articles, dig through the forum archives and ask lots of questions. You can outfit yourself at a fraction of the weight Uncle Sam says you should carry, and more comfortably to boot. But don't spend your hard-earned money before doing a lot of research--there's a LOT of gear available.

It's hiking heaven in the west, even if the high mountains are a seasonal pleasure. It would be hard to find a better place to start.

Good luck with the knee!

Cheers,

Thank you all for the welcome.

Outside of finding a good pair of shoes/boots to help with the knee in future ventures, I'm trying to stay on top of good ways to cut the infantryman's load, from the ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal... aspect.

To that end, I continue to use predominantly issued gear and clothing and strive to be as minimalist with it as possible. One of my enduring projects is to work towards a standard loadout that allows us to get down to a 45 liter pack and avoid the current 80L behemoth we were saddled with a year ago (FILBE).

I'll have to remain in the 500 denier world for some time to come.

Some of the earliest backpacking experiences I had were in the Army, and I have to say that I didn't at all miss wearing a steel pot or carrying rifle and ammunition and, and ... plus it's a whole lot nicer to walk on a trail than move tactically through the woods. There aren't many military items I'd be inclined to carry now, but things might have changed I suppose in the 30 years since I got out! :-)

My question is about your aspiration to hike the AT: you live in SoCal, why not the PCT? IMO it's overall a better trail. Clearly if it's the AT stuck in your imagination, do hike it --- it's a great trail too. Just not AS great unless your focus is on the culture/history/geography aspect of the east, or you like the idea of sleeping in shelters or something like that.

The AT was just a young boy's dream years ago, with no context to frame it against. I will look into the PCT, though at this stage of my life, a hike any further than five days is all but impossible for now.

The equipment has gotten lighter, but also weaker in some respects, unfortunately.