Starting out?

Hi guys

Ok..I'm looking for tons of advice as I'm a complete newbie to backpacking..and I was hoping you guys could please help me out

I think I should start off with my intentions..just to give you guys a better idea, when I'm asking advice on various equipment, etc.

Myself and my buddy are planning our first backpacking trip..maybe to take place sometime in January. Neither of us have any of the equipment needed, but we want to start gathering it all (slowely but surely) as from now til jan. Maybe a month or two to make sure we buy the correct equipment for our needs.

I'm a complete virgin to this, but my buddy does occasionaly do overnight/day fishing trips..so HE probably has some bascic stuff. I also have to make a compromise with him. Fishing must be involved (he says he would travel as light as possible).

He goes carp fishing..so I'm guessing most of his weight will be fishing equipment. I'm happy to fish (and the lightest/cheepest rod will do me..if I'm carrying it). My main intention is to just enjoy my surroundings, taking photos..and generally just moving from place to place taking in the wildlife...collecting small souveniers from dif towns, etc. Although saying that..I'm also quite happy to stay in the complete wild..away from the towns (if that's possible)...either way I'm happy.

Anyways..I would like to just forget about the fishing side of things for now..and concentrate on equiping myself with all the correct things I will be needing for my future trips.

Fist time out. We plan a 2 night trip..maybe travelling throughout Cumbria/ Northumberland..or maybe the Lake District. I might be talking jibberish here..as I'm not really sure were to go as of yet...but for sure..it will be 2....3 nights max (most likely 2).

So, that's that then. Now I need to start gathering my stuff. Originally I naively started looking for the pack first. I was quickly adviced to start off with my gear. So then I thought ok..I'll start off with the most heaviest/bulkiest items down to the lightest/smallest items.

I assume the tent is going to be the heaviest item..so I thought this was a good place to start. My needs for the tent? Hmmm..Two man, spacious with a decent size porch for storage/cooking. Would like to be able to sit up in it..and have enough space to maybe enjoy a few beers and a game of cards without to much discomfort.

I don't want to be chest to chest with my buddy lol! I realise I may have to make compromises though...as weight/cost could be issues here.  A 'decent' living area and a good nights sleep is where (I'm thinking) I should spend most of my money.

I just don't want to feel cramped..or wake up from a 'tough' nights sleep (although I do realise I'm in the wild here..so can't expect perfect sleep)...moderate comfort.

I would like to own the tent 'outright'..so there will be no financial help from my buddy here. For my first tent..my budget is probs in the range of 80-150 pounds. It's not a lot..but I am willing to compromise.

Space/weight and porch are the main factors (I think). This is the first item of many that I'm looking for some advice on..and I'm hoping some of you experienced guys/gals can help me out with my tent purchase and my future equipment purchases.

I cant really afford mistakes..and any wise words or pointers will be of great help and very much appreciated.

Thanks a lot for reading

Kevin

Welcome Kevin,

You have come to the right place for advice.

Can you tell me what walking experience you have at all?

Hi Simon..thanks for the reply.

The past 10yrs..none at all. Ironically..I'm recovering (helping myself..never seeked help) from Social Anxiety..and I've been pretty much housebound for the past decade. You might think it's weird that I would want to go backpacking with such an illness. To me though..it feels like a good 'step' to take to get myself back out there..into the big bad world.

I don't like the idea of hectic town/city life..and I just want to ease myself back into society..via the country..and everything it has to offer me.

Before illness struck. In my teens I used to visit Alston/Nenthead regularly..as my late gran owned a caravan on the Horse and Wagon Caravan site. Used to love visiting the stream, climbing up in the hills and walking to the shops in Nenthead/Alston.

10 years has past..and the urge to return to the country has never left me (I'm a country man at heart). I refuse to let my illness hold me back anymore...and I just want to get out there and enjoy my life really. I love all wildlife and I think the British countryside is stunning. I'm just hoping there is good times ahead for me..and I don't become to overwhelmed with things.

So yeah...it is in me...deep down. I'm pretty fit for a 10st guy...just been disabled with this damn illness the past decade.

 Kev

Nice intro Kevin and welcome.

I so envy you the early days - the experience you will have you will probably shrug off but some of them will engender  the most deep feelings of you entire life. Do not be too cautious - so what if you make a bad gear choice and have to sleep wet - it happened to me 3 weeks ago in Wales(57 yrs old) and I retreated to the car for a glorious night's kip.

Do not get obsessed with pack weight if you are under 30 - to do so will bankrupt you and to go high carrying 20Kgs will make you strong for the future.

Above all, enjoy the companionship  -we all have a gene in common - an appreciation of this primeval landscape - it doesn't change and it puts out feeble timescale in perspective - I have photos I took in 1970 alongside others taken last year no difference apart from the windmills which will be ripped down in 20 yrs. When you encounter another tramp on the trial treat them like an old friend for it is likely they will treat you that way. _something to do with fitness and endorphins?

Our hills are small- don't get too obsessed with safety - youth and fitness will get you out of most of the tricky situations. Don't bother the mountain rescue but if you meet one in the pub - buy him/her a pint and make a contribution they are GODS.

Enjoy your adventures.

Ok Kev,

Well done in getting where you are...

Your approach is interesting and  brave as most people start on the more heavyweight and then move lightweight as, for instance, some people can sleep on a post and in a crisp packet.  I like a good mat and a decent sleeping bag....I have tried the post and crisp packet combo and it isnt for me!

Others like to use a bivvy/tarp - dont get it myself - and live on potnoodles....Yugh....

My experience over 35 years and as an instructor indicates that...

Getting a decent nights sleep makes lots of other things more than bearable, so you need to look at your sleeping bag and mat combination....if you are cold it doesnt matter how good your tent is!

Tent...oooo....good question that.  What I might look at is something like a vango equinox 250 - huge porch and plenty room for two here. problem is...it is over your budget, but you get the principle.

Personally, I like my privacy so like a one man tent. This is whats known as the tigerpaw - frustratingly for you, Argos were selling them for £17 till recently - yes, I have two!

Good luck...but there are a couple of questions for you.

January is cold - and I wouldnt suggest it as the best month to relearn old skills.  To much possibility for a miserable cold weekend....

Start off by getting your walking gear together Kevin. Day walks will give you more idea of the conditions you wish to camp in. Nothing like walking in a storm in the hills to make you think carefully when it comes to choosing a tent. The camping gear can come later.

I disagree about the weight not being important. You may not feel it when you are younger, but your joints will thank you in later life. This is from someone who carried heavy weights all his life. I saw the 'light' a few years ago, and don't carry heavy weights anymore. If i had done that from the beginning, i might not be looking at a hip-replacement in my 40's. Who knows.

Thanks for the warm words Hafner

I'm pretty excited by all this and I'm lucky to have a very close friend who understands my situation and shares the same love of the countryside. For the first year or so..it will probs just be myself and my buddy..until I become comfortable with it all.

Then I'm hoping it will become a life long part of me..and I can eventually attend gatherings and group trips..and who knows..maybe even explore trails abroad, etc. I want to make a good future for myself..even if I do stay single all my life lol!..at least I'll be happy doing the things I like doing

Yeah..I agree..I shouldn't really obsess over weight. I'm pretty strong and used to carry huge/packed 'free paper' bags from door to door in my teens with my dad..so have a little experience of humping weight around.

I just want to make sure I don't buy to small of a tent or something that doesnt fit my needs..as I'll be purchasing most of my gear online..like I do with everything I buy..these days lol!

Thanks again for the advice Hafner

Kevin

Good advice from Simon - However I recall as a poverty struck youth taking the advice of the time hitch hiking up to Wasdale from London walking up to the highest wall  and sleeping in a fertilizer sack as did all my mates - we had a glorious day's climbing up on Scafell next day and a good night in the Arms later. Sordid nights -Brilliant days. I understand social anxiety and am glad you are fighting your way through - many would say it is an entirely rational response to the world we inhabit. Get out there - for me there is no better feeling in life than the experience of stepping off the tarmac and heading out to freedom - I feel like a teenager every time I do it.

Ok guys..thanks very much for all the advice..it has really helped a lot

Maybe we will wait a little longer for the overnight trips. I think I may be asking to much...a mild January lol!

At the moment my mate is out in the North Sea on a rig. I was on the phone earlier this week to him. He suggested we go on a 'day trip' fishing..which I happily accepted. He said it will only be a 6am Metro ride to the destination..stay all day, then return late night.

Maybe I should just gather gear together for this trip, guys? That would also double up as future overnight gear..? I understand I won't be needing my tent, sleeping gear..or full size pack yet..but I could start collecting other items, maybe?

Things like a good all round small pack, cooking stove, eating utensils, tools, etc..

Would it be ok to look for these types of items now?

I would really like to start ordering a few things throughout tomorrow..and a small pack, cooking equipment seem to be a good place to start...what do you think, guys?

Kev

 Go For it Kevin- getting out there is good for ones head

(but...January is not the ideal time to begin - long dark nights and potentially unpleasant weather may put you off). 

common sense should dictate that the  ear you choose will fit your needs- in terms of warmth

I personally would consider the weight a little if I was you. (search the forum for the definition of base weight).  Carrying a too-heavy pack can hurt and possibly damage you if not used to it.

I backpacked a lot age 13 to 20, often carrying 25kg+ then life led me to other interests till  late 20's.

When I started again, using my original gear, I found that it felt fine for a mile or 2, then progressively worse, till the back and or neck pain was  unbearable.  - lesson - I was not the same person physically as my teenage self, and the kit was too heavy. 

I stopped backpacking for more than 5 miles for years because of this (still wildcamped but shorter trips).  It was only when I did a bit of research and 'lightened up' a fair bit that I found backpacking a pleasurable possibility again.

Nowadays I find 15kg the maximum I would like to carry comfortably for any distance, -that's with food and water.  Generally I carry alot less- especially in summer.

If you are stating from scratch, there is no need to 'bankrupt' yourself, but do pay attention to each items weight and bulk - e.g. there is no point in buying a 3kg army 'arctic' sleeping bag for backpacking when you can get something half the packed size and 2kg which is adequate for your needs. Beware of 'fishing type bivvy gear' as it seems to be bulky and heavy from what I've seen - not suitable for backpacking.

Kevin,

Mike has a good idea - get a cheap old lump of a tent and car camp - in January most campsites will be quiet and, truth be told, people will leave you alone and allow you to have your own corner of the field.  Then try some day walks - pick the right routes and I can almost guarantee you wont see a sinner during the day!

This way, if conditions are really horrible, you can always go to plan B....whatever plan B is...and if they are nice, then you can do what you want.

Thanks a lot for that Mole..I'm learning loads already from the comfort of my bed  I suppose it might come down to buying some light things and some not so light..when I'm ready for overnight trips. Then I can just test things out and chop n' change as nessessarry. I will be careful with your advice in mind..cheers mate

Yeah Simon I like Mike's idea of collecting my walking gear first...cheers Mike  I could include cooking equipment as part of my walking gear...yeah? I like the idea of cooking on this fishing trip with my mate...and would like to order my stove tomorrow..along with a small pack.

I've already ordered my boots and I'm onto my jacket. I have most of the other clothing for this trip. What I'm thinking is this fishing trip could double up as Mike's idea..and I could just gear up a small pack for it and see how it goes.

There won't be to much walking...more sitting around parts of a lake/river or whatever my friend has in mind..I'm guessing not a lot of movement. I just want to make the most of this first opportunity to get out in years..so any trip is a good trip for me. I still don't mind being packed up for hiking..be like experimenting

Am I thinking correctly here, guys...?

Kev

Just to add. I really do like the looks of that tent, Simon

When I'm ready to buy in a few months..maybe the price would have dropped even further. Even if it doesn't I will probs buy it..as I like the all round look of it. Storage, porch and bedroom is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks, mate

I've just found that 'How To Wild Camping article I think yourself posted in another thread. Going to have a good read of it now. I'll be up until 1-2am tonight reading various articles here....

Kev

For your insomnia...

Duke of Edinburgh award kit list.

Recent lightweight kit list.

Backpacker's Handbook

I reiterate the comment that a good night's sleep is paramount. Without that everything else will seem crap.

Less is more. The odds and sods can really add up.  Even if you don't get the lightest tent etc, look at how few items are on a lightweight kit list.

You might enjoy the Bushcraft stuff too.

Thanks for those links DandyMountainMan

Plenty of time to do a lot of reading up on things. When the time comes..at the very least, I'll have some knowledge in my head to try and keep things running smoothly. Cheers, mate

I was going to suggest treating yourself to the Backpackers Handbook but I see DMM beat me to it.

Just remember its supposed to be fun, don't bite off more than you can chew, just enjoy yourself

Thanks for the wise words, Benco

Great..cheers James & Karen. I like the idea of the porch having a ground sheet.

I don't really see any difference between the Omega and the Equinox? I'm guessing a larger sleeping/storage area justifies the 85 pound price difference...