Getting back into hiking

[r3biker]

In my teens I did all kinds of hiking with scouts. Did a couple of 50 milers. As a kid, camping meant a minimum 2-mile hike to a primitive campsite. I'm now in my 50s and bike a lot more than I hike, but still enjoy a good backpacking trip. My 19 year old son asked me to do a 50 miler with him in the High Uintas May 5-10th so I've traded in my external frame pack for a smaller internal frame pack, picked up a light weight mummy bag and super feather weight air pad and am itching to hit the trails. My son and I started with winter snowshoeing and camping trips. Now we are hoping to ditch the snow gear, -20 F sleeping bags, and four season tent to do some fast trekking and fishing. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's trip suggestions and getting out this summer.


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[Perry]

Welcome @r3biker !

 

[SKLund]

First thing is does the pack fit you. I have had stores sell me what they had and said it fit. Not! Next learn how to adjust the pack properly when you put it on. Some brands are more lenient to slack adjustment than others. Osprey and Gregory come to mind, but think of packs becoming less accommodating the more you add to them. I would then load up the pack with moderate weight, say 15 - 20 lbs. and get out there ASAP. Increase the weight over the coming weeks to expected pack weight or more. You will likely find that you'll get sore in the hips and the butt most of all. That's where backpacking puts most the load. Of course you'll get sore everywhere else as well. :twothumbs:

Look at online references on how to load, adjust, and put on a pack properly so you can avoid injury and enjoy yourself.

 

[Outdoor_Fool]

Since you're a biker, you've likely maintained a decent level of fitness, which seems to be what kills the fun for most older trekkers. Backing up what SKLund said, a good fitting pack is essential. Add to that your boots have be a great fit also, and they have to be well broken-in. Finally, spend as much time as you can at as high altitudes as are available between now and the trip.

Good luck with the treks! If you're anything like me, the idea of "fast trekking" takes on a whole 'nother meaning now that you have a few years on you.

 

[Nick]

My 19 year old son asked me to do a 50 miler with him in the High Uintas May 5-10th so I've traded in my external frame pack for a smaller internal frame pack, picked up a light weight mummy bag and super feather weight air pad and am itching to hit the trails.

Welcome! I can't help but think that it's a typo that you're planning a 50 mile trip through the High Uintas in May. Right?

 

[r3biker]

Welcome! I can't help but think that it's a typo that you're planning a 50 mile trip through the High Uintas in May. Right?

Not a typo. Just wishful thinking on my part. I didn't mention that we do like winter backpacking, but that's a different animal . . . Beacons, satellite pager, snowshoes and the list goes on. We really would like to a 50 miler and that just won't be fun if we are hauling all our winter gear along.

So . . . Today we started researching places to do a 50 miler in May in Utah that would be reasonably free from snow and not in the desert canyons where a flash flood could dampen things. So we are looking for recommendations.





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