What Miguel said. Afternoon hangs in the local park to test the gear, then overnight in a campground with the car close by. That's what I did. A week later an overnighter in the back country. A week later I was going solo for 5 nights. If I did it, anybody can. You're gonna have a blast!
This is my first year hiking, backpacking and hanging, I have a couple of videos, this was my first trip I since have done a couple more if you search them out here and you tube, I still hang at established campsites, even in backcountry, usually easily to tell by the fire pit area, and some logs splayed around. I also try to stay close to water supply and just in general try to learn how I hike.. they say hike your own hike.
I have learned that i tend to push it as far as distance and weight, so i do not enjoy any down time at camp.. I also solo because i rarely have off when others do and never know for sure when that changes.. I have also learned that as much as i would like to cut corners the experience here is invaluable.. it sounds to me like your ahead of the curve with the equipment..thats a great start
good luck and keep us up to date
Tim
It's not the boulders that throw us off balance, it's the pebbles beneath our feet
also, check to see if there are any group hangs near you or any place you've been wanting to visit anyway.
there is a subforum on HF for this.
Definitely do your backyard first. There are many tricks to learn in setting up and if you have a gear failure, you can go in and get something else or just call it a night. In the woods, going back would be a very dark and sad hike back to your car.
I love frisbee, mangos, 7.62x39, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Atlas Shrugged, 1984, fresh grown tomatoes, oatmeal with raisins, America, potted meat, and the N.C. mountains.
I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.
-Thomas Jefferson
Ditto on testing your gear under controled conditions ( like your back yard ) so if things don't go as planned, you can bail.
Check for local group hangs, most of then are held at areas with hiking trails.
All the National Forests in NC have camping/hiking opportunites.
Also, most of the NC State parks have hiking and camping opportunities
The spreadsheet is a list of the State Parks in NC and most have them have feedback from where my self or other members have hung. Raven Rock State Park is one that is close by to you and has a nice hiking trail and hammock friendly camping area.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...jU0ZTNUE#gid=0
I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !
I progressed the same as you. Started day hiking, and eventually I wanted to go farther and longer.
Try hiking in NC state parks to start http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/main.php
Also, go to the local library and look up literature on hiking in NC. There might be some books with suggestions on where to go, and then you have a little heads up on what to expect.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.
Do you know if there are spreadsheets like that around here for other states?Originally Posted by gunner76
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.
Dejoha started one: spreadsheet. Not complete, by any means. Maybe you can add on to it!
"Pips"
Mountains have a dreamy way
Of folding up a noisy day
In quiet covers, cool and gray.
---Leigh Buckner Hanes
Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.
Surely, God never did.
backyard trials and overnight trials at local parks.
Upgrade to the trails for overnighters. This will force you to look for ways to cut some weight (it did for me!)
Then go bonkers with upping the mileage and hiking ability.
When I started out I was doing between 5-8 miles per day. With weight reduction it got me going to 9-13 miles per day. More weight reduction and better fitness training this go around and I was knocking out around 12-15 miles a day with one 21 mile day.
Takes time, lots of practice with your equipment, and a love for the outdoors.
Have fun and ask a lot of questions. Plenty of people here to answer them.
Raul
(Water Monkey)
"If you give a monkey a gun and he shoots someone, you dont blame the monkey"
The end of the world is not coming in December, it is happening now in my living room. - TFC Rick
http://watermonkey.net/
Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RaulPerez1?feature=mhee
i am going ok i think i know what im gonna do. This afternoon im going to head to the robbins branch trailhead for a easy (i hope
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