According to a recent survey conducted by the Humane Institute for Passivity & the Social Tolerance of Assimilation (HIPSTA,) 9 out of 10 people who own a backpack with a styling hip belt are clueless of its pragmatism and to the fundamental physics behind its construction. When asked if they have ever spent an evening isolated from civilization, the overwhelming response was, "Does the Bee-Gees reunion concert count?"
To the wonder of the rugged, yet chic, urban explorer -- commonly observed in their native uptown habitat, draped in Patagonia and North Face logos, and inside the safe and friendly confines of their SUVs -- these backpacks are constructed to withstand the brutally harsh elements of nature. Well, if you’re eager to learn the intended function of today’s trendy urban gear — and I don’t mean the suit — then escape the suffocating grip of society and experience good old Mother Nature. Here’s your opportunity. So, you lack motivation and are intimidated by the heavy responsibilities of planning a backcountry excursion? Just loosen those hip belts, relax, and let me carry the load.
Finding the perfect place and the ideal trail is central to your journey. However, this requires extensive knowledge and a significant amount of research. Why can’t somebody else do it? They can and they have, but first, it’s better to narrow the search yourself by picking an area that interests you. Make things easy on yourself; start with established wilderness areas such as a National or State Park. Our tax dollars go a long way (from universities to prisons), and one perk of being an American citizen is the maintenance and protection of these wilderness areas. The parks have been nationally or state designated to be preserved for a reason, and it is our duty as taxpayers to discover why.
Consult a library, bookstore, or the Web to find an area that interests you, which also offers a wide range of hiking trails that allow overnight camping trips. Backpacker Magazine is an excellent source, and their annual Eastern Hiking Guide is an excellent source to find majestic trails in New York State and the Catskills region. The GORP pages located at www.gorp.com are also an excellent resource for planning the itinerary of your trip.
Keep a few basic concepts in mind when making your decision. For one, respect the learning curve underlying all backcountry and life experiences. Although it would be really cool to tackle the alluring volcano atop Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park or peak the snow capped face of Mount Rainier, it’s extremely grueling, and without the right experience, it is downright life threatening.
First off, determine how many days and the number of people who will be accompanying you. Be aware of everyone’s skill level and interest in the outdoors, because, as the platitude goes, one bad apple will spoil the bunch. Most importantly, it is usually beneficial to have at least one person with some solid outdoor skills. You wouldn’t get in an airplane without a pilot. Besides, a little basic knowledge as simple as how to pitch a tent in the dark will take you a long way.
What’s your idea of a good time? America offers some of the most diverse and unique landscapes in our galaxy, and there’s an ecosystem for everyone. From the dense rainforests of Washington down to the dusty deserts of Arizona; across the mist of the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and all the way up the rocky coast of Maine; this land is made for you and me!
Now it’s time to let that special somebody alleviate the annoying pressures of planning. Contact the appropriate source, and when we’re talking State or National Parks, that usually equates to a Park Ranger or one of their cronies. The ranger is a rare species of government official; their job is actually to help rather than hassle you. There are however, however, exceptions to every rule -- especially if you’re from the punk rock school of camping -- but that’s another article.
Question 1. How much does it cost to get a hiking permit? Before you reveal any facts about yourself, be sure you know how much this is going to cost you. Sad but definitely true, hiking permits range anywhere from free to upwards of $20 per person per night in extremely rare atrocities. Most parks and forests in the New York area should be free or relatively inexpensive. If this is the case, be frank with the ranger or at least as frank as you can be with an authority figure. Otherwise, try to drain as much oil out of the well without opening yourself up for scrutiny. This helpful tidbit of advice can be applied to any other unfortunate confrontation you may encounter with authority figures.
Question 2. We are looking to hike about X amount of miles in X amount of days. What trails do you recommend? Fill in the blanks, it’s that easy. Plan to hike anywhere from 5-10 miles a day, depending on your level of physical fitness, the trail, and most importantly, your mental hygiene. Every venture is primarily a psychological battle: if you don’t have the drive, don’t go! Make sure there is an abundance of water available. Otherwise be prepared to carry lots of heavy water. The ranger is working for you, so feel free to voice any other concerns you have, including political ones. More often than not, these are pretty smart cats and you might pick up a thing or two.
Once he or she has helped you pick a trail, be sure to ask them where you can pick up a topographical map of the area you’ll be hiking. They’ll usually have some on hand or be able to direct you toward one. Maps range in price from free (flimsy paper) to $14 (durable tear-proof and waterproof paper).
The same advice applies to National and State Forests, as well as BLM land and National Wilderness areas. Smaller and local parks leave it pretty much up to you to figure out your own game plan.
Teflon, Gore-Tex, Fleece, or any other synthetic space-aged material that keeps you warm, dry, and comfortable, while weighing relatively little and taking up minimal space in your pack, is the ideal. Bring just enough clothes. Modus operandi dictates that enough clothes equals wearing everything you brought and you’re still just warm enough at night. Don’t sweat the daytime -- sunlight and hiking take care of keeping you warm during daylight hours. For each day of hiking, bring a pair of comfortable socks. Never leave without a pair of thermals and a waterproof (a marked difference from water-resistant) raincoat. You’ll also learn a whole new appreciation for fresh underwear.
Light weight -- and I don’t mean low fat -- foods are critical. Cans, jars, boxes, or any other heavy packaging stays home. Pasta, soups, rice, oatmeal, couscous, granola bars, PB&J sandwiches, tuna, and mac & cheese are all staples in the hiker’s diet. Notice a trend? Dehydrated —and just add water. Concentrate on finding light, easy-to-cook, high-energy foods. Shrink your stomach and ration your food. One good plan is to start eating the heaviest foods first and work your way down to the Raman Noodles last.
Cram all your new toys into the pack. It is a good idea to line the interior of the pack with a trash bag in order to ensure that your clothes stay dry in wet weather. Pragmatism is the mantra for hikers. Since most packs try to cut down on added weight, don’t expect to find an abundance of compartments in newer models. Remember that practical doesn’t always mean convenient. You will inevitably find yourself blindly grasping into the mysterious and smelly confines of the deep pit that now stores all your essentials. Keep high rotation gear and clothes you’ll use most often in easy to access places, which usually translates into the top or in the head pouch. Make sure everything fits. If it doesn’t, you packed way too much. Strap on the pack, adjust the fit, and be 100% positive you are comfortable with the weight. A decent pack should way approximately 30-40 pounds for the average four-day outing, give or take a few pounds, depending on your build.
An early start is vital. One way to ensure a fresh start is to crash near the trailhead the night before. Rise with the sun and hit the trail after a good breakfast and tall cup of joe. Hiking techniques vary from person to person, but there are some universal rules to live by on the trail.
Drink lots of water. Dehydration will spoil any outing.
Set a constant and comfortable pace. Fast hiking is by no means good hiking. Follow the example of the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady. Once you stop for a break, your muscles tighten and your body temperature will drop rapidly. Pretty soon your breaks will become more frequent than your hiking. Listen to your body and plan strategic, long breaks for at least 10 minutes, or until your body is restored to its natural breathing equilibrium.
Don’t dwell on how long or how far you’ve walked, while at the same time be aware of how much ground you have to cover, and how much daylight is left. This is the Zen aspect of hiking. Be aware all the time, but don’t consciously focus on temporal trivialities.
Carry anything you brought into nature, out of nature.
Who’s in charge? No, it’s not Rudy Guliani anymore. Mother Nature rules supreme. Be prepared for the unexpected. No clever hiking gadgets can save your ass when it’s do or die time. Rain, wind, fog, and wild animals can all strike without warning. Stay calm. React quickly and intelligently. If all else fails use the force. It’s all around you.
So hit the green, grassy knolls and shower beneath the crisp, cascading waterfalls. Go out and see as much virgin land as you possibly can while it’s still an option. You owe it to the crafty engineers who designed that backpack you strap on every morning. Unfortunately, evolution has not been kind to the hiker. Credit our lazy Neanderthal ancestors for developing tools as the reason why you’re dishing out a few hundred bucks for a sleeping bag.
Don’t allow a tight budget to hamper your ability to venture out of the city for a weekend. Renting gear, buying used merchandise, or borrowing are all reasonable strategies to lower the bill. Eastern Mountain Sport (EMS) and REI are a few of the retailers in your local area who will rent out much of the necessities you require. After the initial investment, a weekend in the woods will undoubtedly save you some cash. Think of the alternative: spending yet another weekend in the city.