Current Events > Question about hiking on trails.

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So I've heard of people going on like a 7 day nature hike and coming out it changed their whole life. I want to experience this. Just take a tent, sleepin bag, food and water and be in nature. I live in the USA does anyone know if its possible to do this somewhere?

Id hate for someone to come yell at me for camping in the wrong spot. Thank you!

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its impossible

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Youre basically looking for a trail in a mountain range, if you want to go for a week

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I'm a mountain climbing guide and have done some backpacking guiding

what you're referring to is true, as much as the video game nerds here make fun of it as "white people shit" or whatever they'll say. It's like a zen buddhist experience and makes you realize how petty first world "problems" are

of course it's possible, it's one of the most popular activities to do in the western US. Where do you live?

some resources: reddit.com/r/campingandhiking reddit.com/r/ultralight

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anyone that says that is full of shit. I just came back from camping, hiking, fishing weekend. All I came back with is a fucked sleeping schedule and a sore back from sleeping in a tent. I also did it for weeks on end in the military probably months on end. brushing out spiders from my half shelter got old

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darkprince45 posted...

anyone that says that is full of shit. I just came back from camping, hiking, fishing weekend. All I came back with is a fucked sleeping schedule and a sore back from sleeping in a tent. I also did it for weeks on end in the military probably months on end. brushing out spiders from my half shelter got old

glamping or rucking is hardly the same experience

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/01/call-to-wild/
Science is proving what we've always known intuitively: nature does good things to the human brainit makes us healthier, happier, and smarter.

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Just look up whatever wilderness camping rules there are online, you probably have to buy a permit.

Alternatively you could find a campground to use as a base for going out on some day hikes, since you're inexperienced that might be a good start

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Dont go on some week long hike if youre not experienced. Especially not alone. Start small first and do your research.

Tons of places. I go backpacking all the time. I would definitely start with a 1 or 2 night, dont go straight to 7. Spend money on a good backpack, good sleeping bag, and good sleeping pad. I usually dont use a tent, but there are plenty of single-person hiking tents (Bivy Bag is the first I think of).

I think its most fun to not plan the route before you go, but make certain you know where water is/bring a filter. Iodine tablets work okay but wont stop any amoebas if theyre in the water. A gravity filter is best if attainable. You realistically wont want to carry more than 3 liters of water to be comfortable, especially if its a longer trip where a lot of your weight will be food, so youll need to know where water is.

Like some people suggested, maybe start by finding a campground, setting up camp, and then take a day pack with water/snacks to go on a day hike and return at night. That way you a) get some experience hiking with a backpack thats lighter than your full load and b) can test whether you think you really would want to go further.

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Colorahdo posted...

I'm a mountain climbing guide and have done some backpacking guiding

what you're referring to is true, as much as the video game nerds here make fun of it as "white people shit" or whatever they'll say. It's like a zen buddhist experience and makes you realize how petty first world "problems" are

of course it's possible, it's one of the most popular activities to do in the western US. Where do you live?

some resources: reddit.com/r/campingandhiking reddit.com/r/ultralight

Thank you for your info. I live in ohio and sadly i do not have hiking experience. I am in shape though and am pretty devoted mentally so I'm prepared to embark on this experience. I see the Appalachian trail has several clubs I wonder if I can Just go to the closest spot to me and join the trail?

Just want a couple day to a week experience. Thanks :)

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7 days worth of food and water is going to be heavy as shit and you won't be hiking much. Strongly suggest something like dehydrated rations, access to water, and the ability to boil water coupled with water purification tablets or hardcore filter.

Or were you like... planning to forage/hunt/fish for food along the way?

May I suggest some of the more 'urbanized' parks/trials that have outposts you can reach every day or two for a safety net+supplies?
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philsov posted...

7 days worth of food and water is going to be heavy as shit and you won't be hiking much. Strongly suggest something like dehydrated rations, access to water, and the ability to boil water coupled with water purification tablets or hardcore filter.

Or were you like... planning to forage/hunt/fish for food along the way?

May I suggest some of the more 'urbanized' parks/trials that have outposts you can reach every day or two for a safety net+supplies?

Awesome yeah im a total novice im trying to get the knowledge. I may try to find a smaller day or two trail before I try a mountain range. I dont really know much about it yet.

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Dont go alone; its never a good idea to spend time in the wilderness by yourself as you can get really lost even with what looks like visible trails and absolutely no one will be there to help you or know of your condition

Should you go alone just take some trails to get used to it and build that momentum of holy facaca i had fun and now I wanna get to the top - spend time in the area with the trees and get some advice from the locals.. maybe even visit some landmarks within those trails and make sure you take a compass, snacks, 2 bic lighters, a candle, water, a flashlight/mirror lens to reflect sun/emergency green laser (cause if you aim that at a plane you best believe theyll find and track you down in a life or death scenario.. usually where I hike theres absolutely no service and if its the winter, the cold with instantly render your phone useless regardless if its dry/wet), a bunch of cotton or tinder and lighter fluid.

FrankJaegr posted...

Dont go alone; its never a good idea to spend time in the wilderness by yourself as you can get really lost even with what looks like visible trails and absolutely no one will be there to help you or know of your condition

Should you go alone just take some easier and recognizeable trails to get used to it and build that momentum of holy facaca i had fun and now I wanna get to the top - spend time in the area with the trees and get some advice from the locals.. maybe even visit some landmarks within those trails and make sure you take a compass, snacks, 2 bic lighters, a candle, water, a flashlight/mirror lens to reflect sun/emergency green laser (cause if you aim that at a plane you best believe theyll find and track you down in a life or death scenario.. usually where I hike theres absolutely no service and if its the winter, the cold with instantly render your phone useless regardless if its dry/wet), a bunch of cotton or tinder and lighter fluid.

Great advice, makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much i hope i can find somewhere like that.

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Shoot I forgot to tell you to bring a knife/Swiss army, and a hand saw if its not prohibited in your state.. not a bad idea to bring a needle and thread water purification tablets (or life straw) and create a small kit of stuff in an Altoids tin.. you can YouTube that and get some really good ideas for emergency kits which I feel like everyone should have stored away in a car anyways

TeH_ForGoTeN posted...

Great advice, makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much i hope i can find somewhere like that.

Even just being outside will be a load off your mind, just sitting by calm waters and having your nose cells used to fresh air.. letting your skin breathe freshness - its a great psychological thing that you can totally ignore and still get the benefit from

TeH_ForGoTeN posted...

So I've heard of people going on like a 7 day nature hike and coming out it changed their whole life. I want to experience this. Just take a tent, sleepin bag, food and water and be in nature. I live in the USA does anyone know if its possible to do this somewhere?

Id hate for someone to come yell at me for camping in the wrong spot. Thank you!

Where are you? And yes, you can.
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FrankJaegr posted...

Shoot I forgot to tell you to bring a knife/Swiss army, and a hand saw if its not prohibited in your state.. not a bad idea to bring a needle and thread water purification tablets (or life straw) and create a small kit of stuff in an Altoids tin.. you can YouTube that and get some really good ideas for emergency kits which I feel like everyone should have stored away in a car anyways

Awesome thank you very much!

FrankJaegr posted...

Even just being outside will be a load off your mind, just sitting by calm waters and having your nose cells used to fresh air.. letting your skin breathe freshness - its a great psychological thing that you can totally ignore and still get the benefit from

I know I have been getting into nature a lot lately, I love it!
SiO4 posted...

Where are you? And yes, you can.

Ohio.

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Camping alone is an amazing and refreshing experience, you're not going to be eaten by a grizzly in Ohio. Just tell someone where you're going.

It just takes doing it. If you get really good at packing you can do 7 days of food and gear in like 25-30lbs, but I'd start small at 1 night and see what works. You'll be surprised how little you need to be happy and healthy in life.

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And devote yourself to making it to 4 nights. That's when the "feeling" really kicks in. The feeling of the civilized world seeming stupid and meaningless. Day 2 you usually aren't too stoked

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TeH_ForGoTeN posted...

Ohio.

Then take a trip to The Adirondacks. There is a lifetime of places there.

Edit:

Actually, that kinda far for you.
But yes there are places.
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