posted
Mr. Opera and I are planning a trip back to the Smokies with the kiddos. We will be camping/hiking for about three days. We've never done this kind of trip before and want to make certain that we're adequately supplied. If anyone has suggestions or links to sites that would be great. Thanks!
posted
Oh yeah, should have added this - we will be setting up a different camp each night. So we're looking to carry the minimum number of things possible while still having everything we need.
posted
How old are your kids? How strenuous do you want this to be, and related to that, how physically fit is your family? Will you have to bring your own water?
Pocketknife or two Hatchet if fires are allowed Portable stove and propane One or two small pots Iodine for water purification Collapsible 5 gallon water jug At least two water bottles for each person I seem to remember you smoke, so bring a lighter and do not mess with matches. Ground cloth if that is not included with the tent Everything Hobbes said.
If your kids do not have air mattresses, I would suggest not buying them. Buy a couple of Ridge Rests instead, so you can use them outside to sit on without worrying about sticks and rocks. Air mattresses are easier for small children to destroy.
Backpacks (frame packs) for you and your husband - I prefer external frames.
Posts: 1364 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I sure hope you meant white gas, most propane stoves are rather large.
How old are your children? How many miles will you cover per day? How strenous/luxious do you want it to be? Why are you taking this trip (are you trying to teach your kids about camping)?
Here is a list that a scout troop I know of used for a week long trek through the Rockies.
quote: Trail Checklist for a Week-long Backpack Trek (for 6 days in the Rocky Mountains)
Follow this list! If you want to add/subtract/change anything, talk to the Scoutmaster first! NOTE—NO glass or spray cans. They are expensive and heavy, and glass breaks. Use lightweight plastic containers. Count every ounce NOW because you will regret every extra ounce along the trail. OPT-optional items
Pack:
* pack & frame (padded shoulder straps; padded, wraparound hip belt; sleeping bag straps-NO shock cord or rope) * small waterproof bags for ALL gear in pack (nylon, cloth, plastic, etc; make your own!) * rope (8 m, 6-10 mm diameter//25 feet, 1/4 to 3/8 inch diameter)
Footgear:
* 4 prs light socks * 2 prs heavy socks (wool best) * hiking boots (waterproofed, comfortable, and big enough) * sneakers (not moccasins or sandals) * foot powder * moleskin * 12 bandaids (25-mm/1-inch strip type)
Basic Clothing:
* 2 T-shirts/tank tops * 3 underpants * 2 short pants (or 1 short & 1 long pants)
Protective Outerwear:
* long-sleeved shirt (wool best) * sweatshirt or windbreaker or light jacket * down vest or warm sweater * OPT sunglasses * OPT hat with sun visor to protect nose/ears/neck * OPT wool hat (especially for sleeping)
Foul Weather:
* rain jacket or poncho * waterproof pack cover or 3 large plastic trash bags * OPT rain pants * OPT gaiters
Sleeping:
* sleeping bag * waterproof stuff sack for sleeping bag (use a plastic trash bag inside a nylon stuff sack) * sleeping pad * 2-person tent and accessories (share with partner) * flashlight with brand-new batteries (good AA size or small C size; share with partner) * extra bulb for flashlight
Survival/Repair/Miscellaneous:
* compass (liquid filled) * whistle * needle (large eye) * thread (wind around piece of cardboard) * 4 safety pins * extra shoelaces * extra clevis pins/split rings for your pack (use as zipper pulls) * OPT camera & film
Personal Care:
* 2 bandannas or handkerchiefs (they really are useful) * Chapstick/Carmex lip balm * toilet paper (in waterproof bag; at least 1/2 roll) * "pooper scooper" plastic hiker's trowel * * "Camp Suds" or soap (hotel size or tube of liquid soap) * comb * toothbrush * toothpaste (share with partner) * insect repellent (stick or liquid, no sprays, no glass) * OPT dental floss (share with partner) * OPT metal mirror (not glass; share with partner) * OPT hand towel/pack towel * OPT personal medication (inform the Scoutmaster) * OPT sunscreen (especially for light complexions)
*&8212;The Bible says (Deuteronomy 23:13), With your equipment you will have a trowel, and when you squat outside, you shall scrape a hole with it and then turn and cover your excrement.
Cooking/Eating:
* water bottle (1 liter/quart wide mouth; canteen not recommended) * water purification system with new cartridge plus spare cartridge (share with partner) ["First Need" recommended; each pair needs TWO cartridges OR a filter with a new cartridge that has never been used!] * iodine water purification tablets (1 bottle as backup to water filter; share with partner) * collapsible water container (10-liter/2.5 gallon; share with partner) * pocket knife * cup (plastic or metal; "Sierra" cup not recommended) * spoon (fork not needed; use pocket knife instead of silverware knife) * food & snacks [900 g/2 lbs of snacks/Scout is plenty (450 g/1 lb/adult)] (in waterproof bags; share with partner) * pot & lid (2 liter/quart minimum; share with partner) * one-burner backpacking stove (share with partner) [MSR Whisperlite recommended; see Scoutmaster for other options] * 2 fuel bottles (750 mL/25 oz) or equivalent amount (total of 1.5 liters/50 oz; share with partner) * wooden matches in waterproof container (share with partner) * 2 scouring pads (share with partner) * 5 "handiwipe" paper cloths or chamois (share with partner) * 2 plastic trash bags (share with partner) * OPT wet/dry towelettes ("baby wipes", etc) * OPT dishwashing detergent (biodegradable best; share with partner)
"Adult" Options: (Scouts—don't look)
Here are some options adults may want to consider. Because of cost, or the fact that adults seem to need more comfort and assistance than most Scouts, these options apply primarily to adults, though Scouts are welcome to use them too.
Strongly Recommended:
* hiking/trekking poles—These are similar to ski poles, but designed for hiking. They reduce load on your knees, assist in going uphill, downhill, and on the level, and they reduce the work of hiking (so you don't get as tired). They also give you better balance in stream crossings and other "tippy" places (except boulder fields, where you will not want to use them). They cost about $60 to $120, and come with two or three adjustable telescoping sections (three sections let the poles collapse into a shorter length for packing or travel). A desirable feature is a spring "antishock" system. Make sure you use the little ski basket that screws onto the bottom of each pole (it keeps the pole from sinking too deep into mud and soft dirt). * Thermarest-brand sleeping pad—A Scout can use a closed-cell foam pad (like "Ensolite"), which is cheap and effective. An adult is usually willing to pay more for the added comfort of a thicker, self-inflating pad. Buy a full-length model (you will not like anything shorter). An inch thick is enough, and the "standard" models may be a little more comfortable than the "lightweight" versions. * freeze-dried suppers—Instead of buying all your food at the grocery store (the cheapest option), you can buy freeze-dried meal packages for some or all of your suppers. A significant advantage of this is the reduced cooking time and fuel usage (typically about 5 minutes to boil water, as opposed to 20 to 30 minutes to cook a grocery store meal), and reduced clean-up (just your spoon and cup instead of a cook pot that will require scrubbing). After a hard day's hike, you'll probably wish you'd paid the extra cost. Mountain House-brand meals are consistently pretty tasty, and you prepare them in their own packet, so nothing gets dirty except your spoon (note that not all brands are prepared in their own packet). For most people, a "4-person" meal will serve two to three adults or Scouts; a "2-person" meal will serve one person, but may not be enough for two people.
Worth Considering:
* notepad/journal + pencil/pen—A lot of adults (and no Scouts) enjoy keeping a log or journal of the trip. * mesh hat (anti-mosquito)—This is a light mesh "hat" designed to be worn over a regular hat that protects your head & neck from mosquitos and flies. There can be a fair number of mosquitos some of the places we go, so a mesh hat might get some use (but would likely be much more valuable on a canoe trip where mosquitos tend to be worse).
Not Recommended:
* mesh jacket and/or mesh trousers (anti-mosquito)—NOT RECOMMENDED—The mosquitos won't be that bad. * sandals—NOT RECOMMENDED—Yeah, they're nice in camp and for stream crossings, but they are not usable for hiking. You absolutely must have two pairs of footgear suitable for hiking (hiking boots + sneakers typically), so sandals add extra weight with limited extra value.
No matter what you decide to do for food, I strongly recommend using cooking bags, it cuts down on the dishes, and when your done, it is much easier to fit into a bear bag (the used bags will be the first item that animals go for). I also want to add to the above list, 100ft of parachute cord and a mesh bag to us as a bear bag.
If you have any questions feel free to IM on Aim @ boyscout140
posted
Our kids are 6 and 9. They are pretty good little hikers; we did a 5 and 1/2 mile hike last month and they did much better than we expected. We are all pretty physically fit, but don't want our first trip of this kind to be too tough. We are looking at either going to the Smokies in Tennessee or to Cumberland Gap Park in eastern Kentucky. I don't know about the water situation yet. Thanks for the suggestion so far; I'd hate to get out there and realize we don't have what we need!
edit: Wow, great list!! Basically we're just taking the trip because we love the outdoors.
space opera
[ July 11, 2004, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: Space Opera ]
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posted
If you plan on doing more than one trip of this kind, I recommend you buy a water filter, Iodine tablets get the job done, but they take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to do there thing and the water tastes less than great. Water filters can be used in any stream or pond (all you need is at least 2in. of water and your set to pump water. But filters can be rather pricy ($80 to $150), so you may want to go with iodine tablets till your sure your kids enjoy these ventures.
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posted
Don't wear cotton... it's bad if it gets wet in cold climates. I learned this from my outdoory friends. They made me were polypropolene when I went climbing in NY.
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posted
If you buy a first aid kit, make sure you're familiar with all the ingredients. If your kids are accident prone, supplement accordingly.
If you don't know, review the procedure for handling a sprained ankle.
Otherwise, the boy scout list is a pretty thorough one.
A multi-tool can be useful, but hardly essential.
And I prefer a big flashlight - 2 or3 D for emergencies. Entirely a personal preference - the minimag AA's work just fine.
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