It's something I've always wanted to get into but never really had growing up as a kid so I figured I'd start a thread. I like the idea of camping in both a "real" sense (tent in the middle of nowhere) and a "pussy" sense (cabin in a state or national park). All I've done so far is share a cabin with no bathrooms or electricity outside of Alfred with my friend's boy scout troop so I have basically no experience.

Looking for anything and everything, personal experiences, recommended equipment, good places to camp/hike, ways to deal with animals, etc. Been curious about doing Mount Marcy (tallest peak in NY) for a while.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I go out at least a couple times a year, usually to a national park up in Ontario. There's running water and bathrooms, but no showers, which I'm totally ok with.

Normally I car camp: Drive in, park at the site, and set up shop there. (Best part of the trip is where my cell service dies right in front of the site. )We setup some tarps for some shelter because the place is on a peninsula between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, but that really depends on where you're at if you need that or not. The upside is if it's raining, you can still be outside, and not stuck sitting in your tent or car.

Advice?

- Make sure your tent has a decent rain fly. Gives you a nice dry area to take your boots off and such.
- Don't setup your tent on top of a tarp. If it rains, all that water just sits underneath and you'll be wet the entire time.
- Get a sleeping pad so you're not in a sleeping bag laying on the dirt. It's more for temperature than anything else; you'll be quite cold laying right on the ground even in a really expensive bag.
- Dress in layers. Wide swings of temperatures depending on times of day, seasons, and what you're doing.
- Beer. Bring lots.

Sweet man! I try to get out camping at least twice a month in good weather and I'm usually hiking on Saturdays most of the year. What exact gear are you looking at? Depending on what you want to do gear can be ex[pensive or cheap. Like if you're going to park your car and camp right next to it then you don't need a really good back pack and could get away with a duffle bag or something and maybe a small pack for a short hike if you want to venture out. If you really want to go on a long trip with lots of hiking you're looking into more gear like water filters, packs, boots, knife, compass, trail maps, books etc.

Tell me what type of camping you plan on and I'll stell you what gear I have found to be the best for it.

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From what I've been told about the Mt. Marcy climb, you have to hike in, camp for a night, and then hike to the summit, so I'd at least need a tent that's fairly portable along with gear for making food.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I have not done Marcy, but some good friends have. You can do it in a day, but it'll kick your ass. Making a camp is probably a good idea.

One thing you need to consider is lack of campfires. Check into this, but I don't believe you're allowed to make any campfires out on the trails there, not even small cooking fires. I'm not a fan of that myself. We occasionally will take a boat out to an island in Georgian Bay and spend a night overnight there, and we can't build fires. I just find those nights to be miserable.

Maybe it's just me though.

yeah that does sound shitty.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Well, number one thing on your list should be a really good pair of hiking boots. My personal experience has shown Merrell to be the best brand but stay away from their "toe" shoes. I've worn many brands and theirs is the only one that has NEVER given me a blister...even a slight abrasion. Cotton sock first, wool over that and the boot...unless you go fancy and buy a pair of special hiking socks. http://www.merrell.com/US/en/MerrellMainPageB?grp=B

Second is a good day pack. If you want to stick to 1-2 day adventures then you can get away with the 24-30 liter packs but they are tiny. I suggest getting a pack in the 50-65 liter range if you don't plan on going out for more than say 3 days. Personally I have come to absolutely LOVE the backpacks by Osprey. They have amazing suspension, make rugged models and really light models (slightly less durable but perfect for those that don't do tons of hiking) and basically are built so well that you get trail amnesia and forget how much your lugging around. They also set the pack off of the back so you don't sweat very much. I would recommend the Aura 65 unless you want to eventually go on longer trips then bump up to the Ariel 75 which will work great for you unless you plan on doing over a week long trip with no resupplying. Also, they all come with a bladder pouch so you can throw water in there like a Camel Bak and then toss extra bottles in your pack since you can carry two days worth of water on you. ttp://www.ospreypacks.com/

On a 2 day trip I wouldn't worry about getting a burner and cooking gear. Stick with peanut butter, a few fresh things like an apple/orange and power bars/oatmeal bars. You're not going to get a warm meal but on a 2 day trip you can go without it and it saves you weight in your pack and money in your wallet. On longer trips it's essential from a comfort stand point IMO cause warm food makes you feel better when you start getting worn down in the back country.

As far as tents, Marmot tents are my personal fav but they are expensive. REI makes great gear for cheaper prices but that's something that also depends on how long you're planning to go out. I would go with a single person tent or maybe a two person one so you'll have room for a buddy to come with you. Look into the uber-light weight backpacking tents: http://www.rei.com/

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Added note on the Merriell shoes. When I got stuck and had to walk 23 miles out of the woods in March I had my Merrell shoes on, not my boots and outside of not being as insulated as the boots, stood up wonderfully. That was through 1-3 feet of snow the whole way all nestled on a fat layer of ice. I fucked up my hip flexors and had shin splints, calf cramps and more but my feet were as fresh as if I had been sitting on my couch all weekend. I wear them everyday actually. They run like 100-150 but you may find a good deal out there at an outlet store or even Amazon.

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This is awesome advice, and a great thread idea, I think about getting to know nature quit a bit myself, but just like CV my childhood sucked and I've only been once or twice in my entire life.

I've been thinking about just going on like a $1,000 shopping spree at a Gandor Mountain or something and then just driving far away and camping for like 5 days. What does a newb camper need to buy (besides beer(?

Nevermind I just read the entire thread so far and it's all good advice. I gotta find a nice newb place to go to.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

I'm doing a 3 day 20 mile trek coming up soon and then a 40 mile one in June. Amazing hiking out here on the Colorado Trail. Always have extra space here. Also, I tend to not use tents while I'm hiking to save weight so I go with a hammock. I string a rope above me and set a tarp up for rain cover if I need it. Not the most comfy way to sleep in crappy weather but in the summer on a good night it's tits. Bring a metal flask with strong shit in it instead of beer for hiking trips also....less weight ya know and no garbage to pack out.

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That's so funny that you sleep hammock style, because the one time I went cabin camping with a bunch of peeps in WV, I was obsessed with buying a hammock! I just could not go without, and i found a cheap one in some store and everybody was jealous because I was chilled out in the warm sun with cold beers.

Until Chris cut in down the middle to get back at me for pulling his swimming trunks down in front of everybody. he stood there for like 5 seconds before realizing it happened LMAO. Totally worth it.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

"THE POOL! I WAS IN THE POOL!"

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Hey DP (or anyone else), how does Mountrek brand compare to Merrell? I'm looking at water sandals for moderate trail and hiking use that can also be worn through streams, lakes, and even in the ocean. I narrowed down to two models by Mountrek, and one each from Merrell and Columbia.

I've never tried any sandals from Merrell and I've never heard of Mountrek but I did buy a cheaper pair of Columbia and they were okay. I use them when I play discgolf so I can walk into the water and get my discs without soaking my shoes. That being said, pretty much anything from Merrell is good. Try checking out the reviews on them and Mountrek on Rei.com. Another brand to look into is Keen. I haven't worn their shoes but my buddy has a pair of their sandals that he swears by. For discgolfing I'm happy with the old open back, band kind of design but I think if I bought some for hiking i would maybe look into the ones with a closed heel and ones that cover the tips of my toes so i wouldn't get little stones in there.

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Yeah I looked at Keen too...they seem overpriced a bit maybe based on name. All the models I'm looking at have a closed toe, solid footbed and sole with drain holes. I just got back from Hawaii and tore the shit out of my old water shoes and split my sandals, but they were crap anyway. Now I want quality that will cover all purposes.

http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Cambrian- ... 792&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Mountrek-Ground-W ... 883&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/Mountrek-Mens-Cha ... 883&sr=1-2

I'm a fan of Merrel but those Mountrek Men's Camp Ground sandals look sweet. The other Mountrek pair looks like the toe isn't as covered and may leave a digit open

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I have to decide if it's going to be more hiking use or more water use. I really like those camp ground shoes too, but I'll probably be in the water more. I don't want any sand/silt to collect in the toe area.

I know...buy both and hit every trail, river and stream from March-November!!!!!!!!

I've been backpacking, hiking and camping my whole life.
About 10 years ago I dropped about $350 on a pair of Scarpa boots and they've never let me down.

When backpacking, foot comfort and protection is paramount.
If you're a complete noob I'd suggest getting what you need and going car camping somewhere...don't go straight out into the woods with a backpack.
Learn your equipment, learn what sucks, what doesn't, and what you need more or less of.
Those lessons are expensive without support (ie an established campground / get away car).

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I'll post these pics since you'll probably appreciate them, this is where I tore up my old crappy water shoes. It's the Halona Blow Hole on the east coast of Oahu. I also tore them up hiking around the north Mokulua Island 30 mins up the coast. To get all the way around, at one point you have to get out on a rock shelf below the water line, jump in and swim for it through turbulent water for about 30 feet. A small rock formation protects you from the waves that crash into the sides further in front and behind you. Awesome is not a good enough word to describe it.

Here's a pic from Mokulua Island I found online in the same spot I described above, I guess on a calmer day...