Any Backpackers Out There?

[skp]

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Well, I looked on the University of Iowa website and I don't see and clubs or student organizations devoted to this activity, so I'm a little bummed out.

Anybody know of any national/university organizations promoting/doing this sort of thing? Or maybe we'll just have an SDN hiking club, where we go on virtual hikes and have virtual blisters (I'm all for the latter).

I'm a novice hiker - I'm trying to get in shape to tackle some bigger trails though. I'm trying hiking to keep myself in decent shape (physical AND mental) while in pharmacy school - and give me a break from the books!!

It quite interesting how all the different (and new) fabics work - some complicated chemistry no doubt. Anyone a fabric expert?

-skp

 

[TCB]

Well, I looked on the University of Iowa website and I don't see and clubs or student organizations devoted to this activity, so I'm a little bummed out.

Anybody know of any national/university organizations promoting/doing this sort of thing? Or maybe we'll just have an SDN hiking club, where we go on virtual hikes and have virtual blisters (I'm all for the latter).

I'm a novice hiker - I'm trying to get in shape to tackle some bigger trails though. I'm trying hiking to keep myself in decent shape (physical AND mental) while in pharmacy school - and give me a break from the books!!

It quite interesting how all the different (and new) fabics work - some complicated chemistry no doubt. Anyone a fabric expert?

-skp

I guess you're the only one who loves hicking on SDN 🙂 . Hiking is fun though, maybe yu should form your own organization at your school.

 

[vafcarrot]

I'm a hiker. 😀

The biggest backpacking trip I've done is about 40 miles in 2 and a half days. I just wore cotton everything even though that's a huge no-no. I did buy two pairs of special hiking socks that draw the moisture away from your feet.

 

[skp]

40 miles in 2 1/2 days - that's pretty fast hiking...right? was it level or did you have to do a lot of climbing?
yeah, i've heard about the woes of cotton!
because your one of the very few who have responded in my thread I'm officially forgiving you from being from Kentucky. 😀

here is a site I found that I like:
www.campmor.com

do you know any other good ones for gear/info? i'm a newbie and don't really know where to look.

 

[baggywrinkle]

40 miles in 2 1/2 days - that's pretty fast hiking...right? was it level or did you have to do a lot of climbing?
yeah, i've heard about the woes of cotton!
because your one of the very few who have responded in my thread I'm officially forgiving you from being from Kentucky. 😀

here is a site I found that I like:
www.campmor.com

do you know any other good ones for gear/info? i'm a newbie and don't really know where to look.

Living in the hills of Western Washington where it is very dark, I have just discovered night vision. Too cool, hiking at night.

 

[Pharmgirl714]

i love to go hiking! i live in so.cali. right now so i don't get a lot of opportunities to get out on the trail. but soon i will be moving to vegas and once i get there i'm going to try to meet other fellow hikers. it's hard to meet people that enjoy backpacking. best of luck to you skp in meeting others with your interests...by the way i love your avatar!

 

[skp]

i love to go hiking! i live in so.cali. right now so i don't get a lot of opportunities to get out on the trail. but soon i will be moving to vegas and once i get there i'm going to try to meet other fellow hikers. it's hard to meet people that enjoy backpacking. best of luck to you skp in meeting others with your interests...by the way i love your avatar!

thanks, i just made it.

baggy - night vision! now I'm afraid of you! 😱

 

[vafcarrot]

40 miles in 2 1/2 days - that's pretty fast hiking...right? was it level or did you have to do a lot of climbing?
yeah, i've heard about the woes of cotton!
because your one of the very few who have responded in my thread I'm officially forgiving you from being from Kentucky. 😀

here is a site I found that I like:
www.campmor.com

do you know any other good ones for gear/info? i'm a newbie and don't really know where to look.

There was a ton of climbing. We actually got lost and weren't hiking leisurely or anything. We were pretty much putting the pedal to the metal trying to get to a higher elevation so that we could get someone's phone to work so we could call for help.

When we fainlly got rescued, the ranger told us that we were forty miles in the opposite direction of where we started (and we were wanted to end up).

Note to all you future backpackers- don't get maps off the internet for trails. Shell out the 9 bucks to buy one at the ranger station, otherwise you'll be hiking on trails from maps that are over 50 years old and these "trails" don't even exist anymore.

For shoes- get a pair that fit your feet well even with really thick socks on (or two pairs). before you buy them, go around kicking things to make sure your feet don't hurt. When you're hicking, specially going down hill, you're feet will KILL you if you don't have have good shoes.

For packs- get something that sits really well on your hips (you should go and get help at the place you are buying your pack- they know which is the best size and fit for you)

When you do go backpacking, make sure your pack doesn't weigh too much.
I'm about 5'6" and 135- I wouldn't pack anything out over 35 lbs and expect to come back aliive (or at least with my pack). My husband can handle about 50 lbs but anythiing over and he's out of commission.

Any other questions--- 🙂

 

[DHG]

Living in the hills of Western Washington where it is very dark, I have just discovered night vision. Too cool, hiking at night.

Don't do that alone...

We were stalked by a very large mountain lion one night while night-hiking in Northern New Mexico.

The freaky thing was who knows how long it was stalking us before we actually saw its eyes glowing in the dark when we stopped to rest???
I'd bet Washington has mountain lions too, doesn't it? Anyhow, be careful, and never hike alone.

"mom" is over and out. 😆

And oh yeah, wear a headlamp 🙂

 

[skp]

Any other questions--- 🙂

Wow...quite an adventure you had. Thanks for the tips!

Here is another question: How do you measure torso length? I know the bottom marker is where the spine crosses the hip bone, but where is the point at the top of the back?

-skp 👍