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Hiking Gaf - "Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory."
- Thread starter Tex117
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MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather
Member
The entire Appalachian Trail, from Springer Mountain in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin in Maine takes around six months.
ElectricBlue187
Member
I hiked up to the 2nd Manoa Falls and around the ridge of Haunoma Bay and couple others in Hawaii. I hiked Pinckney Island recently but other than that I haven't done much the past couple years. I'd like to hike the AT soon.
Omegasquash
Member
This, yes. And it's my dream. Can't blame my wife for not being optimistic about me doing it, but I'd have earned my right to grow a beard upon completing it.
RedNalgene
Member
Yup. Mornings are chilly, but then the temp warms up as the day goes on. Long sleeves when you wake up, short sleeves at lunch. 19k, however, is always very cold. Figure ~3 degrees (F) colder for every 1000' of elevation gain.
OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather
Member
It's definitely one of the things I'd love to do most, but unfortunately, it's highly unlikely to happen for several reasons (money and doing it alone not being an option). :/
Dogfacedgod
Member
Great thread. I've been trying to get back into hiking but it's tough between work/wife/kids. I'm bringing my kids along on some small day hikes but I don't have much time to get out there.
I'm gong to try to get out and hike Mt. Washington in a couple weeks. I haven't done that in 15 years.
I hiked Mt. Manadnock a few months ago just to see if I still had it in me. (luckily, I did!)
We're in the same boat my friend.
I'm gong to try to get out and hike Mt. Washington in a couple weeks. I haven't done that in 15 years.
I hiked Mt. Manadnock a few months ago just to see if I still had it in me. (luckily, I did!)
We're in the same boat my friend.
Kung Fu Jedi
Member
Cold is a relative term, but yes a lot of people feel cold as they go higher on Kili or other high peaks. For me, Kili didn't start getting cold until we were up to 15,000 feet or so and on the way to Everest Base Camp it didn't really get cold at all. I had a down jacket with me, but never used it. But that said, the nearly everyone else in the group was cold most of the time.
And yes, I climb as well.
Captain Pants
Killed by a goddamned Dredgeling
The shoes came today, the sole is a little more green than I was expected, but it is still cool. We are hiking up to Stack Rock on Sunday morning. It's purdy.
edit:
It'll be a 13 mile hike.
AstroNut325
Member
I'm embarrassed to say this... but I've never been hiking! HELP! What do I need to go hiking? What kind of gear? Any newbie friendly hikes in Southern California?
RedNalgene
Member
doing Gregornio next week...seems pretty tame to what some of you guys are posting lol.
last year we were hiking up and I slipped on a rock and sprained my ankle...had to walk down 2.5 miles of the mountain on that bum ankle...had a small hole in my knee too. shit sucked...but it built character (LOL)
last year we were hiking up and I slipped on a rock and sprained my ankle...had to walk down 2.5 miles of the mountain on that bum ankle...had a small hole in my knee too. shit sucked...but it built character (LOL)
Looks awesome, but a 22 mile hike is... ambitious. I don't know what the elevation change is like, but around here in the whites a 10 mile day is a death march. Make sure you prepared to spend a long day out and have plenty of water.
As far as what you need to get started hiking, the answer is... not much. A pair of shoes and a water bottle will do you for a short 1-2 hour hike. Any longer than that and you should be using a decent day pack w/ a way to carry food and water. Here's a quick rundown of what you should be thinking about gathering together for hikes (from wikipedia but pretty good):
List
According to the Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the ten essentials are:[3]
Map
Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Extra food
Extra water
Extra clothes
Headlamp / flashlight
First aid kit
Fire starter (matches, chemical heat tabs, canned heat, or a magnesium stick)[4]
Knife
The textbook recommends supplementing the ten essentials with:
Portable water purification and water bottles
Ice axe for glacier or snowfield travel (if necessary)
Repair kit, including duct tape and basic sewing materials.
Insect repellent (or clothing designed for this purpose)
Signaling devices, such as a whistle, cell phone, two-way radio, satellite phone, unbreakable signal mirror or flare.
Plastic tarp and rope for expedient field shelter.
Not every expedition will require the use of an essential item. Carrying these basic items improves the chances that one is prepared for an unexpected emergency in the outdoors.
Just take it slow and you'll figure out what you want to bring with you, its all what you want to bring and what you need to bring to be safe.
Captain Pants
Killed by a goddamned Dredgeling
It turns out my friend misspoke... I guess it is 6.5 miles up, so 13 miles total. Not bad. I went and looked up the trail, and unless she has something else in mind, I think she just had her numbers wrong.
woahitsreeo
Member
Captain Pants
Killed by a goddamned Dredgeling
The air had been clearing up here in Boise, and then I woke up to a valley filled with smoke. I might cancel tomorrow's hike if it is still this bad. I can't see the mountains around town or any of the buildings downtown.
Hiked McCaullagh Gulch near Breckenridge CO yesterday (under Mt. Quandary).
Thought I'd try for a 3D shot half way up, for those of you practiced at crossing your eyes:
Here's more pics for those interested (straight uploads from my phone)
https://plus.google.com/photos/111327834950217894373/albums/5778484754531503969
Thought I'd try for a 3D shot half way up, for those of you practiced at crossing your eyes:
Here's more pics for those interested (straight uploads from my phone)
https://plus.google.com/photos/111327834950217894373/albums/5778484754531503969
I haven't done much hiking this year, except Yosemite earlier this year (but not much there, more like strolling).
Here's from my favorite hike from the past few years (my friend's pic):
Granite Mountain, Washington State
Yosemite
Goals:
Washington State (where I live):
The enchantments (mentioned earlier)
Rainier (to the top!)
7-14 day hike through North Cascades
A new hike every other week until October (as often as I probably can go)
Rest of the world...
I have hiked a lot in Washington, some in Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana (Glacier!), all over Korea, Italy (mostly islands, notably Ischia, Cinque Terre, want to go back and go through the north to Switzerland!)
I need some real gear. My boots leak, I lost my good knife, my winter jacket has fallen apart, tent is useless, can't read maps too well, I can't build a fire from flint (tried it, so hard), and am a little out of shape, but I love it all the same.
Here's from my favorite hike from the past few years (my friend's pic):
Granite Mountain, Washington State
Yosemite
Goals:
Washington State (where I live):
The enchantments (mentioned earlier)
Rainier (to the top!)
7-14 day hike through North Cascades
A new hike every other week until October (as often as I probably can go)
Rest of the world...
I have hiked a lot in Washington, some in Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana (Glacier!), all over Korea, Italy (mostly islands, notably Ischia, Cinque Terre, want to go back and go through the north to Switzerland!)
I need some real gear. My boots leak, I lost my good knife, my winter jacket has fallen apart, tent is useless, can't read maps too well, I can't build a fire from flint (tried it, so hard), and am a little out of shape, but I love it all the same.
Those are all great hikes. Lake 22 is what I use to introduce people to hiking. It's so beautiful, close to Seattle, easy, and the payoff is perfect no matter the season (I have been all seasons, Spring is probably my favorite, I love the mix of snow and fresh leaves, fall is a close second).
Progenitor
Neo Member
Kahana Valley and Bay
Ka'au Crater
I moved to Oahu 2 years ago and started hiking here a little over a year ago. It's nice since all the trails are easy to access and the views are incredible. Haven't had the chance to hike on the other islands of Hawaii but plan on doing some backpacking later.
For gear, I use 5.10 shoes, GoLite backpack, Canon s100, and Garmin 62s for the essentials. Also have found gaiters to be really nice for the overgrown and muddy trails here.
Ka'au Crater
I moved to Oahu 2 years ago and started hiking here a little over a year ago. It's nice since all the trails are easy to access and the views are incredible. Haven't had the chance to hike on the other islands of Hawaii but plan on doing some backpacking later.
For gear, I use 5.10 shoes, GoLite backpack, Canon s100, and Garmin 62s for the essentials. Also have found gaiters to be really nice for the overgrown and muddy trails here.
Hey GAF
Will be going to the US with my brother in bout a months time. Will be visiting the following NPs
- Sequoia National Park
- Arches National Park
- Badlands National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
Can anyone recommend some good day hikes? Pretty experienced in the outdoors as i do alot of fishing and hunting. Any extra info would be awesome!!
Will be going to the US with my brother in bout a months time. Will be visiting the following NPs
- Sequoia National Park
- Arches National Park
- Badlands National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
Can anyone recommend some good day hikes? Pretty experienced in the outdoors as i do alot of fishing and hunting. Any extra info would be awesome!!
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
So yesterday I had the chance to hike Mt. Bierstadt here in Colorado. I'm from NYC, so this was my first 14er and by far the tallest mountain I've ever hiked. Friend and I made it to the summit very quickly. Then we decided to climb across the Class 3 Sawtooth Ridge that connects Bierstadt to another 14er, Mt. Evans. Loved it! However, as we were nearing Evans, this huge storm passed over us sending down hail, and so we had to find shelter underneath a pile of rocks. Pretty scary stuff.
I'm on my phone, so I don't feel like typing anymore, but I'll post pics soon.
I'm on my phone, so I don't feel like typing anymore, but I'll post pics soon.
Dogfacedgod
Member
I've got Sunday all to myself and I think I'm going to hike Franconia Notch:
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/franconia-ridge-lafayette-lincoln-liberty-and-flume
It's been a while since I did a hike like this and I'm excited for the challenge.
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/franconia-ridge-lafayette-lincoln-liberty-and-flume
It's been a while since I did a hike like this and I'm excited for the challenge.
very cool. For anyone contemplating hiking a fourteneer, best advice is to leave enough time to be back to base and OFF the mountain by 2 pm. Weather is notorious for rolling in heavy and fast, and above treeline the lightning risk is scary.
Ooh a hiking thread! I love to hike. I live in Southern Maine and do most of my hiking around there.
I am on my phone right now so I can't post much but I will put up some pictures of my hike from last weekend. Just a day hike around Mohegan Island, but the views were great!
I really want to hike the Appalachian Trail when I graduate from University but we will see.
I am on my phone right now so I can't post much but I will put up some pictures of my hike from last weekend. Just a day hike around Mohegan Island, but the views were great!
I really want to hike the Appalachian Trail when I graduate from University but we will see.
Liberty and Flume are the next two that I'm looking forward to. Hopefully I get around to them soon. I don't know what the slide is like compared to Tripyramids though.
Captain Pants
Killed by a goddamned Dredgeling
Just got back from a 13.5 mile hike. I'll post pics later. We got really sunburnt and didn't bring enough water, but it was beautiful and we had fun.
Icefire1424
Member
Great idea for a thread, will need to check back on this one.
Did a really short hike last weekend. Broomstick Lake in the Adirondacks (all of a 2 mile hike round trip), kept it short since my cousin had their 7 month old with them at the time.
Looking forward to getting back to the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks though. Did Mt. Marcy and Phelps a few years ago, planning on taking the wife to Cascade and Porter Mountain, two of the easier ones to start out with.
Did a really short hike last weekend. Broomstick Lake in the Adirondacks (all of a 2 mile hike round trip), kept it short since my cousin had their 7 month old with them at the time.
Looking forward to getting back to the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks though. Did Mt. Marcy and Phelps a few years ago, planning on taking the wife to Cascade and Porter Mountain, two of the easier ones to start out with.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
Here's one of the pics I promised:
Sorry for the crappy cell phone cam quality.
Also hiked Blodgett Peak in Colorado Springs, which was devastated by the fires. Friend and I climbed it at 2am since it was a clear night and we wanted a nice view of the stars/city. It was quite a challenge, I have to say. I've never hiked in the dark before, but it made things... interesting. There's this two-mile long boulder field that required all four limbs to cross. That took a while. The trees at the top were all burned to a crisp, and the previous trail was completely gone. This made coming down the mountain even more difficult. Felt like forever until we returned later that morning at like 5:30.
EDIT: Some more pics:
The jagged-like "Sawtooth Ridge," which connects Mt. Evans and Mt. Bierstadt, allowing you to hike two 14ers in one day.
Here are some pictures from my hike last weekend. Wasn't much of a hike difficulty wise, but the views were great and I got to spend some time with my Mom before I go back to school!
Monhegan Island, Maine
I will also throw up some a picture from some of my other recent hikes:
Mount Agamenticus, Maine
Cadillac Mountain, Maine
Mount Katahdin, Maine
Monhegan Island, Maine
I will also throw up some a picture from some of my other recent hikes:
Mount Agamenticus, Maine
Cadillac Mountain, Maine
Mount Katahdin, Maine
Sir, you're my hero. I'm going to bookmark that page and use it during the winter/spring period.
Making a new goal, whenever I stay in a different state for more than a week, I gotta find a kick-ass trail to hike on.
Here's one of the pics I promised:
Sorry for the crappy cell phone cam quality.
Also hiked Blodgett Peak in Colorado Springs, which was devastated by the fires. Friend and I climbed it at 2am since it was a clear night and we wanted a nice view of the stars/city. It was quite a challenge, I have to say. I've never hiked in the dark before, but it made things... interesting. There's this two-mile long boulder field that required all four limbs to cross. That took a while. The trees at the top were all burned to a crisp, and the previous trail was completely gone. This made coming down the mountain even more difficult. Felt like forever until we returned later that morning at like 5:30.
EDIT: Some more pics:
The jagged-like "Sawtooth Ridge," which connects Mt. Evans and Mt. Bierstadt, allowing you to hike two 14ers in one day.
NICE PICS!!!! Thanks for sharing
Ok hikingGAF, I have been challenged to do something a bit crazy and am looking for ideas. I'm doing a 3 day 2 night trip in the white mountains in two weeks. I have been challenged to bring steak and cheeses w/ mushrooms and onions for everyone for the second day. My plan is to pre-cook the steak and bring it up in my lunch box (a soft cooler that will easily keep it cold for the hike in and there will probably be a refrigerator there to keep it cold overnight) Then pop it into some kind of pan and heat it up at the summit of Mount Jefferson. I need opinions on the best way to heat it up (I'm thinking about lugging up a couple of sternos and one of those aluminum pans) and how safe will it be to eat it at the point. What are everyone's thoughts?
Wow, good to see an outdoor related thread on GAF. I spent the last two summers working in Glacier National Park and got really into hiking and climbing. Heres a couple pictures:
Edit: I want to clarify that these are three different hikes on three different days, and I just happen to be wearing the exact same clothes in all of them. I sort of made that my "hiking shirt" because people would always ask me if I was in medical school on the trail and I would lie and say yes.
Edit: I want to clarify that these are three different hikes on three different days, and I just happen to be wearing the exact same clothes in all of them. I sort of made that my "hiking shirt" because people would always ask me if I was in medical school on the trail and I would lie and say yes.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
So I'm planning on starting to hike. I'm probably going to start a bit slow. Just two or 3 day camping trips.
Is there a checklist of items I need to have? I won't be doing anything terrible strenuous. Just a couple of trails in Scotland.
I bought this tent. Seems like it should do the job.
Haven't bought a rucksack yet. Any suggestions? What about hiking shoes?
Do you guys take a spare battery for your phone?
What kind of cooking equipment do you guys use? Do you buy a mini grill or something?
Cheers.
Is there a checklist of items I need to have? I won't be doing anything terrible strenuous. Just a couple of trails in Scotland.
I bought this tent. Seems like it should do the job.
Haven't bought a rucksack yet. Any suggestions? What about hiking shoes?
Do you guys take a spare battery for your phone?
What kind of cooking equipment do you guys use? Do you buy a mini grill or something?
Cheers.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Bumping in hopes of some help!
If you are over-nighting with a heavier pack, you are going to want a little heavier hiking boot as opposed to some trail-runner or light hiking shoe.
Something like that.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XRE1T6/?tag=neogaf0e-20
As for food, your best bet is simply a system that can boil water. Here in the states we have these jet fuel things that can boil water in about a minute and you just dump it into a package of pre-cooked meals (can buy them at outdoor stores). Cliff bars and the de-hydrated food...those are going to be your lightest and best bets.
You sure your phone is going to work out there?
If you hop on the REI website and/or backpackers magainze, they have a bunch of checklists.
Off the top of my head.
backback. between 45-75L. If smaller, make sure plenty of straps to hook things on.
Tent: (which you have).
Sleeping Bag: (probably synthetic..drys out faster..especially if you are in Scotland)
Sleeping Mat: Essential, keeps you off the ground..The ground SUCKS the heat out of you. This leads to bad...bad things.
Way to boil water (IE cooking).
Water Filtration.
Camelback (3L) Maybe a Nalgene or two.
Food Enough for two days. (Think about 4000 calories).
First Aid (including blister stuff)
Head Lamp
Compression Sack to put one change of clothes (in case you fall in a river or something), can be used as a pillow.
I suggest a two day hike first. You will be AMAZED at how much you will learn on the first overnight. Then once you get your system down, hit up 3 days.
THIS IS EFFING AWESOME!!!! If you can possibly bust out enough wine or some fancy drink for everyone, you will be god-tier.
A refridgerator? (sp) Where? Are you camping or in a cabin or something?
You could use sternos...and a pan...are you not worried about weight?
You will have to give us some particulars here to help you out.
How long is the hike...for sure fridge. etc.
Roland Garros
Banned
Is the US National Park permit system as prohibitive as I'm led to believe? I'm planning to road trip the US in April next year but the impression that I get is you can't just turn up and expect to go walking/set up camp? Are they that busy? Will I need a permit everywhere I go?
GoodMorning
Member
I <3 this thread. I really need to go out Utah, was supposed to hit Arches this summer but that didn't work out... I've done a few sections of the AT (it's nice living so close to it). Half Dome is amazing and Katahdin and Acadia are awesome as well!
Tex's list is good, but I think those shoes he linked are overdoing it in price and in terms of what you'll need for a 2 day trip. If you have any kind of outdoor specialty store (like REI) just go there and ask them for suggestions, they know a lot about that stuff. Ankle support is good, but you should not have to spend more than $100-$120.
For cooking, a cheap camp stove like this works fine. Just think high calorie. Trail mix and fruit makes a great lunch IMO. Also, depending on where you are going you might need a water filter.
It isn't very expensive, but you will probably need a permit if you want to camp in the park. In a lot of places though, there are national forests adjacent/bordering the national park, and you can legally camp there for free without a designated spot. The national parks really need to regulate how many people they have in any given area or places just get ruined.
Car camped in Cherry Hill campground just north of Walhalla, SC this past weekend.
Walked over to the Chattooga River.
Ended up only walking 14 miles this past weekend but we played in the river most of the time anyway. Nice relaxing weekend. Took a nap each afternoon.
Not a whole lot of people up there and the rain chance was only 10%. Only 12 cars at the Burrells Ford campground when I went by there Sunday morning.
I have a nice comfortable pair of Asolo boots. Never any friction on the skin with them. But I about busted my butt on a mossy rock. The Asolos' soles have let me down twice now. So I need to get a new pair. Keep the Asolo pair for dry hiking. Any recommendations for a "no slip on wet mossy rocks" pair of above the ankle high boots?
Walked over to the Chattooga River.
Ended up only walking 14 miles this past weekend but we played in the river most of the time anyway. Nice relaxing weekend. Took a nap each afternoon.
Not a whole lot of people up there and the rain chance was only 10%. Only 12 cars at the Burrells Ford campground when I went by there Sunday morning.
I have a nice comfortable pair of Asolo boots. Never any friction on the skin with them. But I about busted my butt on a mossy rock. The Asolos' soles have let me down twice now. So I need to get a new pair. Keep the Asolo pair for dry hiking. Any recommendations for a "no slip on wet mossy rocks" pair of above the ankle high boots?
SatelliteOfLove
Member
Nice; I headed to Currahee Mountain for a nice hike on Sunday. No, I didn't run the "3 miles up, 3 miles down".
freenudemacusers
Member
Awesome. Planning on going to glacier in a couple if weeks.Wow, good to see an outdoor related thread on GAF. I spent the last two summers working in Glacier National Park and got really into hiking and climbing. Heres a couple pictures:
Edit: I want to clarify that these are three different hikes on three different days, and I just happen to be wearing the exact same clothes in all of them. I sort of made that my "hiking shirt" because people would always ask me if I was in medical school on the trail and I would lie and say yes.
Roland Garros
Banned
Thanks for the info! Yeah, I have been getting the impression that the more famous parks are so busy that its almost best to avoid them in some periods, so I'm trying to gauge whether it's worthwhile to include a visit to Yosemite on my trip. I'm heading over in April which I believe is just before peak season? We'll see I guess.
The free spots in the national forests seems like a goer, I'm doing this trip on the cheap so that's perfect for me.
cooljeanius
Member
Yeah NH represent! That's where I've done most of my hiking. Coincidentally I'm also wearing my NH 4000 footers T-shirt today.I've been hiking a lot lately locally (MA) and in NH a bunch. Been slowly creeping up on my NH 48 4000 footers. I'm up to eleven. Been talking about going to places like Zion (my gf is there now, I'm jealous), bryce, Arches, Yosemite etc, etc, need to just plan a trip already. I just spent 4 days doing about 30 miles through the white mountains, best vacation of my life.
Me at Greenleaf hut last Tuesday(?) night.
A sunset we managed to find while we were up there. (quoted for scaling)
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