Training for Backpacking

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  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Those are nice bike rides too if trail system is long enough - bike camping too - pull a trailer, see more sites.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    I wonder if there is a local hiking group you could join?
  • rose_a_lind
    rose_a_lind Posts: 41 Member
    That would be fun. I will check it out.
  • rose_a_lind
    rose_a_lind Posts: 41 Member
    Are there such a thing as Backpackers that do a less back country, wilderness hike? I am thinking about how this would be fun to try. Kind of an Urban Trekker? That way I could get the exercise without having to take cooking gear and lots of food. Just energy snacks like trail mix and granola. I think this is done more in Europe and Great Britain. But how about here in US or Canada?

    I think I would like to still try camping out though. Maybe mix it up a little to experience both.

    Any one else have experience with this as a way to be outside, exploring, and getting great exercise?
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    Ws2016 wrote: »
    rose_a_lind wrote: »
    My goal is to be able to gain the ability to walk at least 10 hours in one day with a backpack on the AT, and camp for the night.

    How many days out are you planning? If you're in any shape at all, after about 4 days you'll find your pace and strength.

    ^ This. You'll be amazed at how quickly you adapt. As for footwear, yes make sure your boots fit, but you may find you prefer trail runners or even hiking sandals. Boots are for rough terrain and heavy packs. If you want to do real distance go light and go comfortable.
  • rose_a_lind
    rose_a_lind Posts: 41 Member
    rose_a_lind wrote: »
    My goal is to be able to gain the ability to walk at least 10 hours in one day with a backpack on the AT, and camp for the night.

    The corrected goal is to walk around 10 MILES, not hours, (phew, that would be hard!!!) not nessesarily on the AT, (maybe a part of it, but not a thru hike) and still camp.

    In May, I hiked 10 miles RT on a portion of the Tanglefoot Trail, logged another 5 miles at the Trace State Park, and camped out for the night. I didn't feel bad at first, but felt exhausted later.
    I think it was all the work of setting up and taking down camp after the long Backpacking hike that did me in.

    I want to try ultra light weight gear but not spend mega bucks on it.

    In August I fly into Portland, Maine for a week. I have family near Bangor that I can stay with, but I want to spend some of the time hiking and exploring. I look forward to some seacoast views. I can take a Tourism bus part of the way up the coast to break up the hikes.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    edited June 2016
    rose_a_lind wrote: »
    Are there such a thing as Backpackers that do a less back country, wilderness hike? I am thinking about how this would be fun to try. Kind of an Urban Trekker? That way I could get the exercise without having to take cooking gear and lots of food. Just energy snacks like trail mix and granola. I think this is done more in Europe and Great Britain. But how about here in US or Canada?

    I think I would like to still try camping out though. Maybe mix it up a little to experience both.

    Any one else have experience with this as a way to be outside, exploring, and getting great exercise?

    You would have to pick one of very few trails where they have huts to stay in or little cities off trail that match what you are talking about - we are so much more expansive here in land that it's hard to have that same ability.

    The KATY trail going from St Louis to Clinton, MO would be something similar in that you could arrange for B&B's along the way - so no where nearly as cheap.
    And it's decent landscape for riding across where you move through the scenery fast, I dare say hiking would get boring fast since not actually in the woods very often - you are following old RR line, so not much incline either.

    I can only recall reading about portions of a longer trail that had a few segments that had a hut and food available or short walk to a nearby town, but infrequent and far between.

    For the camping being exhausting - examine if you really need a tent. Vast majority of my winter camping is without a tent, because not in high mountains. Even if snow on the ground, unless it's expected, don't need it. Even dealt with high winds decently, though in that case level ground and feet right direction would have been better.
  • rose_a_lind
    rose_a_lind Posts: 41 Member
    Thanks heybales! No tent in the winter, I can't imagine! What are you sleeping in? I have heard of using a screened hammock. My son has one, but I haven't tried it.
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