Super noob questions

[xalex]

Hi again everyone.
First thanks for all the VERY nice responses I've had in my other threads.

In this thread I'd like to ask some super noob questions about hiking/camping. Someone sort of on the edge thinking about doing the AT next year.

My first question is somewhat embarassing.. but I don't really know anyone with camping/hiking experience so I don't have anyone to learn this from.

Fire? Whats your technique for building and do you carry anything other than a lighter on the trail? When its raining do you do anything different?

If this goes well I have plenty more noob skills I'd like to acquire. But I guess I'll stick with one at a time.

[xalex]

I suppose a big part of your hike might be gathering fire wood and other materials at the end of the day? What's the best method I should go about practicing building fire? (Trying not to sound like a complete idiot)

[HooKooDooKu]

First of all, if you plan to hike the AT, forget about fires. They take time and energy, make your cloths smell of smoke. There really isn't a NEED to build a fire except in cases of an emergency. Your primary source of warmth will need to be your cloths and a stove to make a hot meal.

Otherwise, to get started, you might want to begin by going to your local library and checking out some books on hiking. I think it will be easier to first read lots of information on the subject, then return to places like this forum to ask specific questions you might have.


BTW, most camping books will include some basics on how to build a fire. There isn't one right way.

[Sarcasm the elf]

First off . You don't sound like an idiot, you simply sound like you are new to hiking and all of us were in the same position at some point.

The honest answer is that most of us don't have campfires when long distance hiking. I love a good fire when I'm on a camping trip, but when I'm long distance hiking they're just not worth the time and effort.

Usually when I'm on an extended trip, I wake up, pack-up and break camp fast, hike about a mile in order to wake up/warm up and then stop and eat breakfast (maybe even make coffee). Then I take my time slowly but surely hiking, stopping and starting and snacking and enjoying the views and hiking again, doing this all day until I get to camp just before or sometimes after dark. I set up my tent, get my sleeping bag and gear settled in for the night and go about eating dinner then brush my teeth and relax for a while until hiker midnight (aka about an hour after dark). I go to sleep, wake up around dawn and do it all over again. Not much time or need for a fire.

[Sarcasm the elf]

If you're asking about fires because of cooking, most long distance hikers these days cook using either an isobutane stove such as the MSR Pocket rocket or the jetboil, or a lightweight alcohol stove.

Check out the link below which will bring you to good overview of different stoves (written by Mags, who is a moderator on this site).

http://www.pmags.com/stove-comparison-real-world-use


It's also worth checking out the other articles on his site because he has a number of write ups that are designed for beginners.

http://www.pmags.com/a-quick-and-dir...alachian-trail

[bobtomaskovic]

No Worries on the AT. Going northbound somebody will have a fire going at pretty much every shelter until everyone realizes it's just too much work. It takes a month or two.

[ChinMusic]

I started exactly one fire on my recent thru. Too much work. I would guess I saw only a couple dozen fires this season. Many were during bug season for obvious reasons.

I do enjoy a fire and if I'm taking advantage of someone else's fire I try to contribute some wood.

[illabelle]

Otherwise, to get started, you might want to begin by going to your local library and checking out some books on hiking. I think it will be easier to first read lots of information on the subject, then return to places like this forum to ask specific questions you might have.

Another option to get up to speed on the basics in the AT thru-hiking context is to read EVERYTHING on this site multiple times: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/
And another resource is trailjournals.com. This link is for one of our favorites, Josh Calhoun (aka Rash) http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=420450

[Rocket Jones]

To answer at least part of your original question, most hikers will carry a mini-bic lighter (or two). Many carry at least a backup fire source - hence the second lighter - which can also be waterproof matches, firesteel or something even more exotic. For emergency tinder, I carry 3-4 cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly (vaseline). You can spread one out wispy thin and they'll burn a surprisingly long time, bonus because they weigh practically nothing.

[Hikes in Rain]

To also expand on the original question, on how to build a fire. The chapter on fires in Horace Kephart's "Camp Cookery" (1910!) is about the best there is. I like fires, even though as most everyone here has indicated, I rarely build them anymore.

Here's a link to Google Book's on line copy. Should (I hope!) open to the fire chapter. http://books.google.com/books?id=CFw...page&q&f=false

[yellowsirocco]

How do I build a fire? I hang around potheads, they usually make fires. Bring some brats to roast over the fire and the the potheads provide the entertainment. Dinner and a show.

Seriously, lately I have been doing a lot of cooking over a fire on my first night out and eating very well. Look up the top down method of making a fire, it is counter intuitive but works.

[Slo-go'en]

It's not the potheads who make fires, it's the drunks

I had two collage freashman girls come over to my little campfire one evening. They were part of one of those orientation groups which are all over the trail in September. It was drizzling a little and had been on and off all day. So, they come over and asked "Sir, where can we find some dry fire wood?" I couldn't resist. I replied with as much seriousness as I could, "What, you didn't bring any with you?" The look on thier faces was priceless.

Of course, I then went on to explain about standing dead wood and that much of the wood even on the ground was only damp on the outside. But this shelter was pretty close to Hanover so was picked over really clean. I had gotten my little pile of wood way down the trail. They never did get a fire going that night.

Anyway, Bic lighters are the fire starter of choice. Don't cheapen out on an off brand, they often fail. It's a good idea to have two, with one stashed away as an emergency spare. If your not a smoker, a mini bic will last a long time.

As to how to build a fire, there will be pleanty of people around to show you how to (or how not to) build one. When you get to New England, birch bark makes really good fire starter and will burn when wet. You want the paper birch, not silver birch. The paper birch has bark which comes off in big sheets. There is never any around campsites, so I pick it up along the trail during the day when I see it on the ground.

Fires are real popular early on the trail, but peter out as you go north. After a while you realise you have better things to do than hunt for fire wood and tend fires.

[Venchka]

Hi again everyone.
First thanks for all the VERY nice responses I've had in my other threads.

In this thread I'd like to ask some super noob questions about hiking/camping. Someone sort of on the edge thinking about doing the AT next year.

My first question is somewhat embarassing.. but I don't really know anyone with camping/hiking experience so I don't have anyone to learn this from.

Fire? Whats your technique for building and do you carry anything other than a lighter on the trail? When its raining do you do anything different?

If this goes well I have plenty more noob skills I'd like to acquire. But I guess I'll stick with one at a time.

Remember books? Everything you need to know has been written down and published in books.
Remember the library? A building built for the purpose of holding and lending books.

You will encounter many ready fires at shelters along the trail.
For heating water & cooking, carry and use a stove. The choice of stove is up to you. There are two types of stoves: Those that work quickly, efficiently and will be permitted in Burn Ban areas. The other kind that use inefficient, slow alcohol and and will be banned in Burn Ban areas.

If "doing the AT next year" means a complete thru hike, start hiking with all your gear (both seasons), transportation to/from both ends paid for and a bankroll of $5,000 for on trail spending.
If planning a thru hile of the AT, work out your to/from transportation first. Keep in touch with the transportation folks to make sure that they stay in business, don't cancel services to your trailheads, etc. Far too many folks come on this forum with pleas like: "I'm starting a NOBO thru hike day after tomorrow. How do I get to Springer Mountain from Upper Outer Mongolia?" Dumb.

Buy your gear first. Then get properly fitted for a backpack that fits you and will hold your gear and food comfortably.
Buy quality once. It is always cheaper in the long run.
Good luck!

Wayne

[Another Kevin]

Of course, I then went on to explain about standing dead wood and that much of the wood even on the ground was only damp on the outside. But this shelter was pretty close to Hanover so was picked over really clean. I had gotten my little pile of wood way down the trail. They never did get a fire going that night.

Yeah, I never have tried to make a fire at Velvet Rocks. You're right, it's picked clean.

I think 2/3 of the fires on the trail are built by people who just react, "I'm camping. When you're camping, of course you need a fire," and would be totally unable to answer the question, "for what?" When you need one, you really need one (for instance, to heat rocks to dry out soaked boot liners in winter), but you don't often need one.

And I carry a Bic lighter, a firesteel, and several cotton balls gunked with Vaseline. But I almost never use them. (I just know that if I need them, I'll really need them.) In a pinch, I can recognize chert and jasper - common around here - so I'll always have a spark if I have my knife. And yes, there's birch bark, and evergreen resin, and mice's nests, and tinder-fungus, all sorts of oily stuff to light a fire with.

[xalex]

Thanks so much - what a wonderful forum this is. My partner in hiking said she was scared to post online until she saw your responses to my questions here.. (she still hasn't posted)

I have some more questions.. do most people sleep w/ their packs or leave them in their vestibule? Talking a pack with no food here, I think (unless we decide to be crazy and sleep on our food bags) Looking at some kind of big agnes. I'm 72 inches tall, the tent is 90 inches long, theoretically we could fit two bags in there safely? Or is it worth it? Just buy a rain cover, some premethryn and leave them outside????



Also does anyone have a favorite sleeping bag that could last one entire thru hike? Even if you need to carry some sort of liner or extra clothing early on?

We'd like to leave in March, maybe April, and would like to figure a way to avoid purchasing two sleeping bags if possible (so much money, these bags...) Any advice as always is awesome. I have so many questions about this, it's hard not to be overwhelmed.

[xalex]

I don't think you can edit posts here, but what does everyone recommend in the way of trash bags? And water/scent proof dry bags??? Any other 2014 thru hikers have questions they'd want to ask more experienced people!? Thank you again!

[Butterfly58]

If you're on Facebook and want to join our group, you will meet others just as excited and uneducated as you, lol. But many have years of experience as well. It's a great group, very friendly and helpful and not as (sometimes) sick of newbie questions as the folks here on WB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/56380495208/

[T.S.Kobzol]

I like to make fire but it all depends on xircumstances. Firestarters of choice are usually birch bark and small twigs. I do cary cut up tack cloth as an emergency firestarter or I break off a little off firestarter brick I use at home around wood stove. Remember, birch bark is great firestarter but birch wood is lousy at the beginning.

Another thing to be aware of is all the high tech plastic clothing we all wear. Fire sparks love to put holes in your tarp, tent, shell jacket or fleece garments. After paying pretty penny for these I am more hesitant with fire. Gone are the days I just built a fire, spread my bottom tarp and sleeping bag right next to the fire ring and enjoyed the immediate warmth.

[Astro]

I don't think you can edit posts here, but what does everyone recommend in the way of trash bags? And water/scent proof dry bags??? Any other 2014 thru hikers have questions they'd want to ask more experienced people!? Thank you again!

First, Welcome to WB!

Become a donating member and you can edit your post. It is a wonderful thing and you will be helping WhiteBlaze out too.

[hobbs]

Thanks so much - what a wonderful forum this is. My partner in hiking said she was scared to post online until she saw your responses to my questions here.. (she still hasn't posted)

I have some more questions.. do most people sleep w/ their packs or leave them in their vestibule? Talking a pack with no food here, I think (unless we decide to be crazy and sleep on our food bags) Looking at some kind of big agnes. I'm 72 inches tall, the tent is 90 inches long, theoretically we could fit two bags in there safely? Or is it worth it? Just buy a rain cover, some premethryn and leave them outside????



Also does anyone have a favorite sleeping bag that could last one entire thru hike? Even if you need to carry some sort of liner or extra clothing early on?

We'd like to leave in March, maybe April, and would like to figure a way to avoid purchasing two sleeping bags if possible (so much money, these bags...) Any advice as always is awesome. I have so many questions about this, it's hard not to be overwhelmed.

I sleep with my pack under me at my feet.I use it to elevate my feet so they dont swell and it also adds warmth. If your looking for a good bag and one not to exspensive.The Kelty Cosmic down 20 will do yeah.Its about 120 dollars and will go to 20 degrees..In the summer most people sleep on top of their sleeping bags.I know I did..