New and have a few questions!

Howdy everyone,

I'll start off with a little introduction, I'm new to the site and somewhat new to backpacking. I've had some experience, I've been on a two week backpacking trip with a pretty large group, I used to be a Life rank in BSA, and I grew up in the woods so I'm comfortable out in the rough stuff. But I know enough to know that I should ask the experts for some advice, because it's easy to get yourself in a nasty situation out there.

I'm planning to organize a trip with a few of my friends, and try to hit a approximately four day to a week long trip somewhere in the east coast (most likely around Virginia/NC).

Obviously we've got to organize gear, food, and plan out a route along with some backup plans, but I've got a few questions on specifics.

1) I've got an older external frame backpack, but almost everything I see on the web is an internal frame. Should I invest in a nice internal frame, or is my old backpack just fine?

2) I'm a bit nervous about bears, I've had some nasty experiences before and I have to put one down with my .300 Savage. Is it worth it carrying a handgun on the trail? If so, what calibers are appropriate? I've got three .38 Specials, but that's far too small to even bother a bear, but I've also got a .45ACP and have been considering a 10MM Auto Glock 21 (this could be an excuse to buy it).

3) What's the best medium to handle food? I love MREs, but I don't know if they are the most efficient way to handle food in terms of weight. When I was in boy scouts, we humped in coolers, and my previous backing experience was mostly freeze dried food.

4) Anything else I should know? Any good books out there?

And just for some other information, I'm 20 and in pretty good shape (I run a few miles and day and do Crossfit).

Thanks!

Hi Philip,
Welcome to the site.
(1) Your external frame should be fine for now assuming it fits, is large enough, and is comfortable. If you decide to upgrade your gear the pack is usually the last thing to change.
(2) Check with local rangers for conditions specific to your hiking area. There is safety in numbers. There is a recent thread about lightweight hand-guns. In general terms most hikers don't carry. Your milage may vary.
(3) The local grocery store should get you most of your food. The food forum on this site has a ton of recipes and ideas.
(4) This site has a lot of info on general hiking. Gear lists, equipment choices etc. What works for you is what is best for you.
Good luck with your trip. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you are concerned about bears they sell bear bells, but I don't know how well they work. The theory is the bell rings as you walk, alerting the bear long before you see it, so you don't surprise it.

Keep your pack. Get everything else, then buy a pack that fits.

As far as books, this site recommends some good ones. I have read "The Complete Walker" and found it to be what I already knew. But I think it is great for beginners. I also read Ryan Jordan's book. I can't remember the title but I think it is "Lightweight Backpacking" (My 2 yr daughter found some scissors and decided to test on my book cover). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Welcome to the forum.

1. Whatever fits best is what you should use. I would recommend going out with the pack you have a few times, and figure out your "style" and if you are really serious about backpacking before investing in a new pack. I'm on my 5th pack right now, which is the one I have settled on as it fits the best.

2. Bears are a risk of backpacking, but I wouldn't worry too much about them. Especially in NC/VA. Just make sure you handle and hang your food properly. The only places around here where there are decent populations of bears are in Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah NPs. I have been hiking in the SE for over 6 years and have never even seen a bear here (only heard one in the Smokys). But like I said it is a risk you take, and as another poster put it you can check local regulations on carrying a gun if that makes you more comfortable. For what it's worth I am a gun advocate, own several guns, and I have never carried. I have considered it, and that wasn't cause of bears (it was cause of 2 legged "varmints").

3. Grocery store. You can also go to a local backpacking store and buy freeze dried meals made by companies like Mountain House. I usually carry stuff like oatmeal, energy bars, Fritos, foil packages of tuna or chicken, pita bread, jerky, Gorp (just buy some nuts and dried fruit and mix them together), tea, candy, and whatever else I happen to be in the mood for. I carry Mountain House meals for suppers and sometimes carry the eggs for breakfast. I have carried things like Lipton Noodles before, and those work fine to. The Mountain House type meals are just a little easier to prepare (boil water, dump in meal, wait 10 minutes, and eat).

4. Read all the stuff on this site. This is one of the best places for good backpacking info on the net.

Your pack is fine for now. Once you get back into hiking, you may decide you want to lighten up your gear a bit, and you should buy your new pack after you've upgraded your other stuff.

No need to worry about bears in NC/VA. No real need for a firearm, either.

Plenty of backpacking food available in grocery stores these days. Some folks carry MRE's, but they tend to be heavy for the calories. (Can't comment on the taste of current versions; my experience with them is a long time ago.) Lipton's noodles and sauce with a bag of chicken is a popular hiking meal, for example. You might look at the site www.freezerbagcooking.com.

There is plenty of great hiking in NC and Virginia. The Mount Rogers area is popular, as is Roan Mountain in NC.

Have fun!

Ditto on keep your pack - keep your pack and ignore the old school looks from
people who insist you have to have a 400 dollar pack to go hiking.

Once you get into it, and get your gear list down a bit to where you are comfortable
buy a pack that fits you and your gear. Have a look at the gear lists on this site, esp
the 27 pound 7 day pack and the 18 pound 3 day pack, as well as some of the others posted here (click my name to see mine)

As for bears, I personally wouldn't worry too much, in black bear country I seldom bother
with anything. I carry bear spray in grizzly country.

It was stumbling across this book that got me in to backpacking in the first place. (Yes, I was looking for teardrop trailer plans for car camping...) Very practical approach to lightweight, perfect for first-timers, and originally written for boy scouts. And it's a free download! :

http://www.kuffelcreek.com/new_release.htm

Lightweight Backpacking: The Importance of Good Form is a "Quick Start" manual for those who might be interested in the freedom of backpacking, but have been intimidated by the heavy pack weights, imagined hardships and equipment expense.

In a simple, humorous and insightful manner, Lightweight Backpacking explores the mysteries of wilderness trekking and explains how to stay warm, eat well and sleep dry without spending a fortune.