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Hello guys, My name is Brandon I'm 16, And I'm just getting into backpacking so I kinda need some pointers to get me going in the right direction . With that said I'm starting to set up a 2-3 day pack. I have a pack, I just got a north face Terra 30 on sale I'm not sure if that is the preferred size for a 3 day pack, But I figure it wold be big enough to get me started. I'm looking into knifes, sleeping bags, light tents(I'm 6'4 around 190lb), stoves,water filters, rain gear, and good long term hiking clothing. I have been looking around on REI, Campmor, and my local sporting goods store(Ralphie's Red Ryder) for gear and advice and there isn't much help there for backpackers/hikers which really blows but anyone with any help wold be a blessing for me.
thanks
-Brandon
P.S. my mom doesn't like the fact that I'm 16 and want to go backpacking, So if there is any groups or young people that could accompany me on a few trips that wold be great just to give my mom some piece of mind.

Check out Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona for some great volunteer opportunities. Nary a cold shoulder there.

Picked up some literature today after so many book suggestions I had to go grab a few. I am still looking for a tom brown book but here is what I picked up.
HOW TO STAY ALIVE IN THE WOODS
by:Bradford Angier
which is a great book, well I think so 2 chapters in.Its more of a bush craft book which teaches what food you need to survive and how to hunt it/find it/cook it/identify it. And also different types of shelters and how to make them with the resources around you.And teaches orientation and safety which i think are vital in a survival situation.
HOW TO CATCH A PIG
by:Denis Boyles and Gregg Stebben
Which I don't think its a good book for backpacking but will work great if your car camping or in a situation(zombie attack) when you and your family need to get out of town get out of town.
98.6DEGREES THE ART OF KEEPING YOUR pumpkin ALIVE!
By:Cody Lundin
This book rocks with lodes of sensible survival for the average joe in a desperate situation this book is full of information that will put your kit to the test. i think this book is a must have for anyone that does anything in the outdoors and I'm only half way done with it!
*still looking for a good stove and water filler your input wold help greatly.*

People always seem to recommend books when starting something. People on summitpost love to recommend that new climbers read all sorts of books like Freedom of The Hills and so on. I guess people did that here, too. I don't know, do you want to read about hiking ( or climbing in those cases) or actually do it. I never read about hiking, I just did it. But, if it works for you, I guess that is OK.

brand0n wrote:HOW TO STAY ALIVE IN THE WOODS
by:Bradford Angier
which is a great book, well I think so 2 chapters in.Its more of a bush craft book which teaches what food you need to survive and how to hunt it/find it/cook it/identify it.

He knew a few things, but the bushcraft he advocated is pretty destructive, not to mention time consuming. What would the popular trails look like if everybody made a bed of pine boughs every night?

big_load wrote:

brand0n wrote:HOW TO STAY ALIVE IN THE WOODS
by:Bradford Angier
which is a great book, well I think so 2 chapters in.Its more of a bush craft book which teaches what food you need to survive and how to hunt it/find it/cook it/identify it.

He knew a few things, but the bushcraft he advocated is pretty destructive, not to mention time consuming. What would the popular trails look like if everybody made a bed of pine boughs every night?

True but I think in a sticky situation the trail vs my life I might take a page out of this book but I'm not sure I still have some reading to do and some experience to receive. I am going hiking whenever I can but day hikes are getting old now its time for some longer adventures!

Experience is the best teacher. Unfortunately this means you have had a bad experience that didn't do you in.

I was lucky that I had some mentors to take me into the woods to show me hunting, fishing, and survival techniques. In the recent past, that was a necesssary part of what the elders did for their children---taught the rules of survival and how to harvest a living from the land. In the modern world, we guide those eager to learn about the outdoors to websites, bookstores, and the local REI instead.

There's plenty of infomation in books that will keep you safe. Each author, like a good field mentor, will usually have something to offer up. A good book is as much a treasure as a good hike. You can experience both and not see one as taking away from the other: you can hike and you can read about hiking. Just as my uncles and Father taught me, I have learned from books as well---it is just a different teaching method. If you are lucky enough to have both a mentor and a library, great. If not, hunt for that author that speaks to you and gives you the gift of knowledge. I had the same experience that Brandon reports when I read Cody Lundin's book for the first time---he was speaking to me through his words on the page. I added a few things to my survival kit and trail knowledge as a result.

There are other books out there that 'Rock!'

@azbackpackr
Hi Liz (and all whom read this!) I just want to say that I will be 50 in a couple of wks and I too am rekindling my hiking heart and hoping to backpack a few times...REI has been very helpful with gear everytime I have gone in there. Now I am looking for a few people who would take a newbie such as myself out for a night in the back country...I am planning on doing an REI backpacking 4 nighter in July, but really want to work my way up to 4 nights...Liz, I addressed this email mostly to you, because you seem to have the wisdom I am searching for as far as our environment and survival skills. I also like your pics and looks like you hike with a good bunch of people. I'd love to meet you all for a hike some day!

Leslie

lross wrote:@azbackpackr
Hi Liz (and all whom read this!) I just want to say that I will be 50 in a couple of wks and I too am rekindling my hiking heart and hoping to backpack a few times...REI has been very helpful with gear everytime I have gone in there. Now I am looking for a few people who would take a newbie such as myself out for a night in the back country...I am planning on doing an REI backpacking 4 nighter in July, but really want to work my way up to 4 nights...Liz, I addressed this email mostly to you, because you seem to have the wisdom I am searching for as far as our environment and survival skills. I also like your pics and looks like you hike with a good bunch of people. I'd love to meet you all for a hike some day!

Leslie

Hi, Leslie, sounds like you are off to a good start. Watch here on HAZ for easy backpacking trips. Also the meetup group called Arizona Backpacking Club does LOTS of trips. There is one almost every weekend, and often they are suitable for newbies. I also recommend doing a lot of dayhiking. Bring your full overnight gear on some dayhikes, too, with at least 20 to 25 pounds in it. If it does not feel comfortable after several miles and you don't know how to adjust it, take it back to REI, and also post your problems on here. We may be able to help with explanations. Packs should fit comfortably, and be sure to tighten that hipbelt, and then tighten it again! And again!

I am in the middle of trying to move to Flagstaff. Keep in touch, I would be happy to do a weekend trip with you after I move, (IF I move. Sheesh, my life is CRAZY right now!) Just do keep in touch.

Elizabeth

hi Liz,

Thanks so much for the head's up! I have a cabin in Munds Park..love it up there...but this will be my first winter! Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Leslie

okay, i'm going to chime in here and say that i'd like to do some backpacking, too
i consider myself a novice, as i've only gone on two trips - one in rocky mountain national park, and the other down to havasupai, both four day trips
i have plenty of gear, and do lots of dayhiking, but haven't pursued the backpacking thing
so keep me in mind for a practice outing somewhere relatively easy
the arizona backpacking club sounds promising, too
p.s. i need to get a water filter, and i need to hike with some weight in my pack

Water filter is a good thing to have, but on any group hike there are always too many of them! Then you sit there and decide who is leaving theirs behind, etc.

azbackpackr wrote: I am in the middle of trying to move to Flagstaff

what?

Yup.

azbackpackr wrote:Yup.

The big city?
Say it isn't so!
We will definitely miss your updates of the area around EAGAR! :worthy:
(boy I hope I splled EAGAR rite) :STP:

Yup, the big college scene. I think I am getting a bit too long in the tooth for any sort of "scene" though, unless it is a "scene" I might see looking down a trail in the Canyon. I will be able to go dayhiking in the Canyon! Close to all those creeks that run into the Verde River, too, none of which I have ever explored.

SkyIslandHiker just bought a place in Show Low, a weekend place. So, I guess he is gonna be our guy in the Whites now.

I am not sure exactly how long I am going to stay up there. We'll just have to see how the cookie crumbles.

Though to me, Show Low is close to but not in the White Mountains. It's just plateau country.

It's good we'll have a heavy user in Flag, as both Jake and I will be leaving here at year's end or shortly after.

Yes, it is plateau country but don't tell that to the people who live there! ;)