looking for your help to equip me for my very first hiking trip!

**Knowledgeengine** · 05-12-2008, 11:22

My recommendations

Orange Emergency Whistle, Match Safe and Compass Combo - $5 Academy Sports
Orienteering Compass with sighting mirror - $20
Waterproofed matches & tinder - Free
Topo map of the area you will be visiting - Free if printed onlie
AquaPure Tablets -$5 Walmart (water purification)
50 Foot of Camo Paracord - $2.09 Wal-Mart
Disposable Camera if nothing else - $7

Using a map and compass check this book out at the library if you don't know how to use a map and compass correctly. You can practice while you are on the trail (just stay on the trail, so if you are off on your readings you will not end up lost)

**heescha** · 05-12-2008, 12:48

ok, anyone else?

**Ramblinrev** · 05-12-2008, 13:06

An ice cream ball....

for those late nights around the campfire....

well maybe not.

**JayS** · 05-12-2008, 13:13

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

An ice cream ball....

for those late nights around the campfire....

well maybe not.

I agree, it's not for those late nights around the campfire... it's for kicking in front of you down the trail. Now that's multitasking!

Be sure to bring enough supplies to use it every day.

**dufus934** · 05-12-2008, 13:26

Heescha,
I know this is going to be long, but as fellow college aged male (just graduated last May) I feel your pain in wanting to buy used. However, I don't have anything to sell, but I do know what I used when I was on a budget.

This is what I'd add to your setup:

-Fleece Jacket (depending on how cold the nights will be)
-wicking T-shirt and shorts
-hiking socks $15 to $18 (smartwool are expensive, but worth their weight in gold...I PROMISE)
-tennis shoes
-hat
-fleece hat (again only if weather requires)
-1st aid kit $?? (one already suggested was cheap, light, and would work well)
-Take only one of the knives
-waterproof matches (can do this by dipping match heads in melted wax; then for when you use, peel off wax and strike)
-sunglasses (I always take these; call it a comfort)
-bandanna (water filtration)
-trash bag (to put in pack to keep stuff dry)
-lighter (I put these every where I can because I hate searching for these little boogers)
-2 stuff sacks (or one (for food) and the compression sack; what every you do put a trashbag in the one that has the sleeping bag in it)
-alcohol stove $15 (see bottom)
-wendy's fork (cheapest eating tool I cold find or use metal one from home)
-camera $10 (a must! you'll want to remember the trip)
-Journal $10 (also a comfort, but a must for me)
-watch
-headnet (only if bugs are bad where you are)
-insect repel $4 (same as above)
-collapsible water container $10 (instead of nalgene; bpl.com has some good ones in their store that are really light; these are lighter and take up less room)
-freezer bags (in food stuff sack with meals ready to just add water; I really just leave the stuff sack at home)
-sleeping pad $5 (if you need it; might not in a hammock in summer; once again it depends on weather)

Fifty bucks and you can have all this stuff. Most of it was stuff I had around the house. I tried to add prices to the things I had to buy. You already have the expensive things, and thats a huge plus.
Now, on the alcohol stove, there are a lot of opinions on this, and a lot of them have been expressed. I for one am a huge believer of this particular DIY project because it takes a couple of days of reading and tinkering to get it right, but once you do, you have saved a lot of weight and money. If you have a MSR setup I'm sure it's teh whisperlite. I too have this stove and never had any problems out of it, but it was to heavy to my likeing. My website has a bunch of materials on it that I found very useful when I was learning to make alcohol stoves. I know it seems overwhelming, but I promise it isn't. The price of the stoves is about what I spent on the initial supplies to build one, but the best way to cut them is with a exacto knife and make the holes with a thumbtack. I eventually made the cutting tools described on zenstoves.com, but the exacto knife will do everything that you need (cut...haha).
This list is a little on the heavy side, and a lot of things can be taken away from this list and a trip still be fun and successful, but this was my first gear list when I went.
Last thing, I promise. If you are still having trouble, there is a good lightweight gear list here that you might also find helpful.
Hope this helps, and sorry for the length.

**Ramblinrev** · 05-12-2008, 13:27

In all seriousness.... while an ice cream ball is a rather absurd idea... I would suggest you take something somewhat silly and yet entertaining. It can get very tough at times if you've had a hard day and the weather sucks and you feel like warmed over puke. Reach into your pack and pull out something that will be a little variety on the trail. I don't have any suggestions there, but I know some folks pack a deck of cards, or one gal I hike with on occasion brings her knitting project along. I used to pull out my pocket knife and remove bark from sticks. (Yeah, I live and exciting life on the trail.)

**dufus934** · 05-12-2008, 13:37

I use that type of time to brush up on survival skills. Like making fire with sticks, building a lean-to shelter, or something else. When all else fail go fishing. I may be in the minority on this though.

**Knowledgeengine** · 05-13-2008, 01:04

Yeah I carry a little walet sized tackle box, and a colapsible pole...use my reel from my main rod, and hope to do trout fishing later this week on North Sylamore Creek.

**Hooch** · 05-13-2008, 06:13

Drop the Buck knife and just go with the Leatherman. It should have a blade sufficient for your trip and other multi-use tools. The Buck is just extra weight that you don't need. I think it was Doctari that I hiked with last year that said a newbie he went backpacking with carried 3 knives with him on his first trip, including a big-*** Bowie-style bear skinner. Holy friggin' overkill Batman!