Backpacking For Weenies

I recently got back from a week long bike tour, and I was thinking this morning that I would (hypothetically) enjoy backpacking. My reasoning was that I love just being "in the nature" (this is how my sisters describe it) and taking all day to get from here to there (lots of time to be in the present).

With backpacking I could go to even more remote places! (And I'd get to sleep there!) whoo-hoo. I was at a campfire last night, the stars were out, the lightning was far off. Someone said that on clear nights, you could see it from other states, even. (this is questionable, I think, but anyways, you could see it from really far away.) I thought: wouldn't it be nice if I could just stay here?

I think I might be able to backpack because I don't mind being what is considered "uncomfortable" and having to do something strenuous the next day. (And the day after that...)

I am, however, a certifiable weenie, so what do I do next? I have an idea I start taking longer hikes, find some good books on the subject, friendly people who know all about it (I'm in luck! They're relatives too!) and learn a whole bunch I don't know and probably haven't even thought of that would be of the very useful to know variety. If anyone has advice, thoughts or whatever, I'd love to read them. Carrie

 Oh gloriouse hiking!

• All my seriouse backpacking experience has come through Girl Guides of Canada (Girl Scouts for you Americans) and Duke of Edinebrough youth award program... My suggestions would be to find a youth group like that and tag alone.
• You dont have to join a group nessasarly to get their wisdome, just find someone useful and friendly.
• So far as books go, look around. Be very aware that the time of each hike is different acording to the author. Most books are still written by men, they usually walk faster then woman.
• Learn how to use a topographical map. Remember that only elivations over one thousand feet are showen, so the path my look flat when really its a zillion little hills all less then a thousand feet.
• buy good boots. you can usually borrow/rent any other gear you may need, but buy your own boots, and break them in well ahead of time!
• Know what saftly measures to take depending on where you are going. dont get eaten by a bear. :)
• Take a first aid kit with you. know how to use it.
• For backpacking tents, you can usually count on 2 pounds of weight per persion. (a 3 man tent will weight around 6 pounds)
• Take a bloody tarp with you. If you dont have one it will rain or snow on you for sure.
• I could babble on forever but i wont. hiking it awesome wonderful stuff. :)Dawn
• Two more things. First, my group averages 4 km an hour for speed on kinda flat tertain. We are not super hikers in the slightest. Secondly, take off all your jewlery when you hike, but most of all rings. My hands always swell up within a few hours of having a pack on, and its scary to not be able to take your rights off.