dropdeded 0 #1 January 28, 2004 Soon as Im out of school, mid March, Im going on a long distance hike. I just commited myself to it last night so I dont have a lot of details yet. I think its from McKittrick Ca. to San Lois Obispo. One of the guys goin is an old hand at this, he's done like Canada to Mexico and gone across the U.S. so its no big deal to him. Another guy is marathon runner. Anyone done any long distant hiking? Got any words of wisdom? I have 7-8 weeks to get ready. WTF do I need to do to get ready? dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #2 January 28, 2004 start taking long walks with a fully loaded pack uphill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #3 January 28, 2004 Hmm, start carrying a pack. Do some hikes of shorter distances. Oh yah, get fat. I'm serious. Really fat. Your body will need the reserves. Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #4 January 28, 2004 QuoteWTF do I need to do to get ready? First off, it sounds like you'll be backpacking, not hiking. But that's just semantics right? Start off by doing day hikes (don't forget to carry a backpack with some weight). Then start doing one and two day backpacks where you haul in all your supplies, sleep overnight in your tent (or bivey sack) and figure out all of the bugs. How to pack your pack (heavier things at the top), what to bring, what to leave at home, what sort of food can you haul and how much H20 do you need? Be prepared mentally as well as physically for this trip. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #5 January 28, 2004 Oh yah, get fat. I'm serious. Really fat. Your body will need the reserves. ----------------------------------------------------------- Im actually really lookin forward to losing this bit of a belly that seems to have attached itself to me since I climbed off the roof and took up the edumacation thing. I think this is like a 90+ mile hike so its definately gonna knock a few lbs. off. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #6 January 28, 2004 QuoteOh yah, get fat. I'm serious. Really fat. Your body will need the reserves. ----------------------------------------------------------- Im actually really lookin forward to losing this bit of a belly that seems to have attached itself to me since I climbed off the roof and took up the edumacation thing. I think this is like a 90+ mile hike so its definately gonna knock a few lbs. off. dropdeded Oh shizzy, I thought you were talking super long, forgive my lack of west coast geographical knowledge. Forget what I said about the weight gain unless your gonna come out east and hike the AT or something. Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #7 January 28, 2004 Dude, 90 miles is freekin a LONG way for me dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #8 January 28, 2004 Strip down all the stuff you are going to put in your pack to the bare minimum. Then....get rid of 3/4 of that....you should be good. Make sure you have some well made, comfortable, and BROKEN IN boots. I never had foot problems. Worst I ever got was a small hot spot after the Air Assault 12 miler. Did the Manchu Mile (25 miler) with no problems but I used to see lots of guys wearing panty hose footies or at least 2 pairs of socks. One cotton and wool on the outside. Weigh your pack.....if it's much over 35 lbs.....you are probably not going to get far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #9 January 28, 2004 Bring a cell phone, batteries. Only wisdom advice I can give.. I go on little hikes around Malibu, Ca area once in awhile. Nothing major, tho. Mostly, church hiking group, or by myself. Been quite a few months, and I am getting fat as well..All belly! hahah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #10 January 28, 2004 I got a pair of boots from a friends nephew who is a Drill Instructor (or whatever they are called) in I think the Marines awhile back and they are broken in nicely. Hell, they feel like slippers. I wore em when I hiked Mt. Whitney with no problemo's. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airborne31582 0 #11 January 28, 2004 Take some duct tape too, it's handy to fix stuff and also good for putting over hotspots on your feet. Chris I thought of the odds of me succeeding, versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid, and I went ahead anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #12 January 28, 2004 I've got several 75+ mile hikes in and more then a few 50+ milers too. I want to do the AT at some point. I doubt I'll do it nonstop, but segments would be nice. PM me with any questions. First thing.. get good boots NOW. Wear them around the house at first break them in and then wear them any time you are training. Go to an outdoors store and get the correct boots for your feet. Your feet are your engine on a hike so take care of them. You should be wearing Polypro liner socks and wool blend outer socks during all the training, during the hike and during the fitting. I spend $300+ on my Vasque boots and I never regeted it one second in the backcountry. Goretex is a plus on the boots. Look for boots like Technica, Vasque and Merrell. I've had good luck with all 3 of those. Get lots of spare socks since you'll soon discover that polypro can only be hand washed and after about 30 washings they are toast. Next major thing you need is a backpack. Internal fram vs External frame. Big debate, but Internals are more comfortable to me. Externals let me lash more gear on so I'll grab what ever pack meets my requirements for that trip. If I might have to carry others gear I'll use my external, other wise my internal. Find out from your guide how many days the trip will be and a recommended size in cubic inchs for the pack. Size will depend on length of trip. A weekender can get by with 3000-3500, a 4-5 day will need 3500-4500. Anything more then 5 days with no resupply stops and you are in for a serious workout. Expect to spend $150-350 to get a new pack. Backpacker.com used to have classifieds, check them out once you figure out a model and size. Carry at least half a gallon of water on you and a gallon is better. Platty's are a godsend on a long hike... get one. Sleeping bag, tent, and stove depend on the trip you are doing. The guide should tell you about the stove situation, the bag and tent should be light weight, but still rated for 15 colder then what you think you might run into. 35 degree bags are good for 45 degrees usually. Save weight anywhere you can. An ounce in the morning is a pound at night.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #13 January 28, 2004 Wow, what fun. I've done that before. What I've done to get ready for a trip, is take a day trip, and then do a few over nights. I keep a running list of things that I forgot, or things I didn't use. I also keep a note book writing down things that I ate that didn't agree with me, or things that worked for me. What works for one, doesn't always work for the others. Have fun.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #14 January 28, 2004 If long distance hiking is like being in a long distance relationship, then it's the thing for me. You can say you're involved in it, but since it's long distance, you don't actually have to participate in it. Sorry to hijack, I cracked myself up at work and had to share. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #15 January 28, 2004 QuoteMake sure you have some well made, comfortable, and BROKEN IN boots. I'll second that. I wore around a pair of Gore-tex/ leather Vasque hiking boots for a few months and when I took my first real hike in Scotland, my feet were killing me by the end! They never bothered me again though; so, break 'em in before you go!! -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmcd308 0 #16 January 28, 2004 Get some moleskin to cover up the inevitable blisters. ---------------------------------- www.jumpelvis.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bch7773 0 #17 January 28, 2004 get some high quality hiking boots that REALLY fit you. save the reciept, and go do a short (a few miles) hike with your pack on. If you get blisters or raw spots, then the boots didn't fit you well enough. Return them and try another. oh and experiment with those energy bar things and find a brand that doesn't taste bad, so you know what to buy for the trip. MB 3528, RB 1182 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #18 January 28, 2004 I've discovered that Doc Martens make GREAT hiking boots. They're not very warm, though, so if you need warmth, look to a different shoe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcandalysse 0 #19 January 28, 2004 I walked a 900 mile ancient pilgrimage path in Japan. Took me 7 weeks. Lots of good tips already. Get good boots and break them in on small hikes. I even walked on the treadmill with them when weather wouldn't let me outside. Take lots of water Take lots of moleskin for blisters and put it on at first sign of irritation. As suggested, do some short overniters with full pack. Have fun! I miss the mountains! Florida weather is great, but it sure is flat around here. That's why I like that view from 13K!! Marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #20 January 28, 2004 QuoteIf long distance hiking is like being in a long distance relationship, then it's the thing for me. You can say you're involved in it, but since it's long distance, you don't actually have to participate in it. Ya know, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I prefer the long distance relationship, makes the break up so easy. And when the other one calls, and you don't want to talk, you can act like you're busy QuoteSorry to hijack, I cracked myself up at work and had to share. I too am sorry for replying to Andrea's post, causing a hijack. I guess it's cause we're just bad girls. flyangel looks around to see if Sunny is on her wayMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #21 January 28, 2004 QuoteI too am sorry for replying to Andrea's post, causing a hijack. I guess it's cause we're just bad girls. flyangel looks around to see if Sunny is on her way Ugh, sunny is pretty busy working...yeah, it's shocking but true. I'll be bad some other time though, i promise. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 January 28, 2004 QuoteI'll be bad some other time though, i promise. Somehow......I beilieve that..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #23 January 28, 2004 The unicore construction on Doc's make them a poor choice for serious hiking. Having a multilayer core is much better on rough terrain and after 100+ miles on the boots. Plus solid leather shoes usually equal blisters in humid areas since the shoes can't get rid of the moisture. I highly advise the taste testing of power food snacks first. I LOVE the vanilla Powerbars but most of the people I hike with refer to them as "consensed Ensure bars" Also good rain gear is worth its weight in gold on a rainy day.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #24 January 28, 2004 QuoteIm going on a long distance hike. Here is a terrific book which will get you into the spirit of the hike, as well as provide some great pointers on what to do, and what not to do: A Walk in the Woods It's about a man's experience hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SullyFlyer 0 #25 January 28, 2004 Wow, looks like you are already getting a lot of advice. I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail starting in April so I trained last summer. I started with short day-hikes with a pretty light pack, then went to over-nights. Then I did 2-3 night hikes in the mountains (the rough terrain really does you in). Then I ended the summer with a 100-mile hike in Maine. We brought all of the grear and food we needed for 8 days. I like going ultra-light weight so I can get a lot of miles in each day. Find light weight gear. Depending on the terrain, wear trail running shoes not boots. They say a pound on your feet is like 6 pounds on your back. Go to http://www.backpacker.com they have great gear reviews. PM me if you need any specific advice. ~ Fear is the thief of dreams... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
