hiking and camping

[talltines]

I am thinking about doing some hiking and camping. Does anyone have any suggestions as far as gear is concerned. I would like to pack in somewhere and stay a night or two. I am kind of new to the hiking thing so anyone have any good info into what kind of pack, tent and equipment one would need to do something like this. Also what public areas are open to backcountry camping?

[ecmbowhunter]

I believe Land between the Lakes has some good hiking trails and backcountry camping opps. www.lbl.org

[Xi Bowhunter]

Don't go cheap on the sleeping bag or tent. Make sure you get a tent that is as close to waterproof as you can get. Spend the extra money and buy a good quality tent because you get what you pay for. Coleman makes some great sleeping bags. Mine is rated for -40 degrees and believe me I have never gotten cold. Also, invest in a roll-up mat to sleep on, it will save you a lot of restless nights in back pain. A portable heater, lantern, cookstove, and small mess kit are a must if you are leaving your truck behind. And you will need a large, back braced backpack to carry all your gear. I know this sounds like a lot, but just remember to take as much as you will need and no more. I have done a lot of backwoods camping, miles from the truck, and believe me you want to be prepared. Camping is one of my favorite things to do, mainly because you get to get away from everyone and everything. I don't like to take my cellphone along, but I usually do just incase, but sometimes I don''t even have any service, and that is my favorite place to be.:)

[KYVarminthunter]

In backpacking weight is everything, the big three are your pack, sleeping bag and tent. The tent should not weight more than 4lbs per person, sleeping bags 2-4 lbs, pack shouldn't weight more than 5lbs.

Sleeping bag ratings are dependent on the person, do you sleep hot or cold? I slept comfortable for years using 40-55 degree bags until I went on BP medication so now I need 20 degree bag when it's 30 degrees.

It's a lot easier puting on another layer if you're cold, than waking up drenched in sweat because your burning up in your mummy bag.

Tents in Kentucky need as much netting as you can get. You'll need as much air flowing through as you can get with the humidty we have here.

Backpacks, There's internal frame packs and extrenal frame packs. Internal packs are pretty much the norm these days, they tend to be heavier than external packs but a lot more stable if you have to scramble over rocks or any type of rough terrian. External packs are light and allow you to carry a lot of weight, but are larger and not as stable.

With any pack you want a comfortable wasit/hip belt, This where you carry the weight. The shoulder are straps are to keep the pack stable not supporting the weight of the pack.

Look at when you'll be going, you want need a -30 degree bag or a four season tent in June.

There's tons cook sets and stoves out there, cook sets are made from numerous materials from aluminum to titanium. Backpacking stoves run on various fuels, coleman fuel/white gas, Isobutane, denatured alcohol to disel.

You can find all kinds of information online or try Backpacker magazine, Backpacker's buyer guide magazine may still be on the shelves it has a lot of information in it.

Where to go in Kentucky? Red River Gorge, Clear Creek recreational area. Kentucky is forunate to have one of the few national scenic trails the Sheltowee Trace, it starts close to the Ohio river and ends in Tennessee.

Hope this helps.

[creedua]

As stated the Red River Gorge arrea is some ot the best hiking in eastern Ky. There is alot of great trails around and in the Koomer Ridge camp ground. Also there is a few good trails around Laurel Lake. If you want I can get you i touch with the Ranger station in the Red River area, they do a monthly trail repair day culminating in a pot-luck dinner with free camping for participants.

[talltines]

Thanks for all the info everyone, I appreciate it. Looking forward to doing some camping.

[Foam Steak]

What about Boone National Forest?

You can spend TONS of money on backpacking gear. I have pretty much been collecting and upgrading for the past 16 years. All the advice above is good. Lighter is allways going to be more enjoyable as far as the hiking part of your trip goes.

Practice makes perfect! Practice setting up your gear after dark with a flashlight. You will find a headlamp is a great thing to have. Practice setting up your stuff in the rain. Practice sleeping out in the rain, in your back yard. Then you figure out all the problems with your setup BEFORE you are 8 miles into the backcountry! For your first trips just hike a mile or two from the truck. Get some experience and some confidence and figure out what kind of gear you really need, and what you don't need.

1 piece of gear that everyone should have is a roll of medical tape or Mole Skin. If you feel at all even the slightest little discomfort like you are starting to get a blister, tape it up. I prefer the medical tape to the Mole skin, but to each his own.

Medical Tape and Head Lamp, two of my MUST HAVES! Enjoy.

[tex]

www.msrcorp.com is a good place to start. Also you need to "fit" a backpack. Try them on in person before you buy, if you don't know exactly what you are getting. Also you need a purifier for KY water, its not safe to drink any water in KY that hasn't been treated somehow.

[big300mag]

Any gear you choose will be sufficient, but I would recommend choosing gear that is light weight and collapsable. Going on a long hike is hard enough without having to lug around a bunch of heavy gear.The areas mentioned above are all great places. I've been to almost all of them, but I would suggest trying the Shelthowee Trace. It is a hiking trail that stretches from the Big South Fork on the Kentucky/Tennessee border to Cave Run Lake to the north. It is 200 and some odd miles long. If you contact the US Forest Service, they should be able to hook you up with some maps and info if you're interested in trying this trail. I've hiked parts of this trail several times (since it's close to home) and I have to say that it has some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Camping is no problem along the trail. There are spots along the trail where grills are provided along with open areas for pitching tents.

[gurn]

I agree lightweight is the way to go. If your hiking long distance every ounce does count. My son and I use Mountain Smith internal frame packs, a Sweet Water pump, Pocket Rocket stove, Coleman +20 Bags, and Everware Titanuim cookware. Make sure you get good water bottles. I recomend Nalgene. There's lots of good stuff out there. Scan the internet for equipment and reviews on them.
Heres a good place to start.

www.rei.com (http://www.rei.com)