backpack camping eastern pa image
Luke
So i want to start hiking and backpacking. Im 15 years old and want to get started with it. I have hiked a few times before just during the day but love it. Im in the eastern PA area. Im looking for gear i need and it is totaling up to be alot. I need to know what gear i need, how to get involved,any groups that i could join, ect . Thank you
Answer
The first thing I would do is establish my "no matter what" kit. These are the things I take with me regardless of where i go in the woods.
Simple compus
Sturdy knife
Fire starter ( magnisim and flint)
Fish line and hooks
Emergency blanket
These items can be found at any army navy store or camping equipment outlet. You want them to all be small but reliable as your going to want to be able to count on them in the worst case senereo.
After that I would pick your bag. Possibly the most important and least considered part of your gear, your pack should most of all be comfy and easy to take off quick (most bags have simple clips on the straps that work fine). Another thing to think of is size. I've found that the bigger bag I have the more stuff I bring and the more exhausted I get. A bag that fits you tent sleep system and some food with a little room left is perfect. Old army rucks are normally great to start with.
Next I always seam to bring with me my jet boil ($100 at most outfitters) a spoon and a hammock. You will undoubtedly find bits of kit that you love and hate and nothing sucks more then paying big bucks for something you can't stand, I get around this by buying a cheap piece of gear I'm not sure of, trying it for a trip and then spending good money on one that will last and I know exactly what I want from it.
As for joining groups I would ask around local outfitting stores. Have fun and always bring a camera.
The first thing I would do is establish my "no matter what" kit. These are the things I take with me regardless of where i go in the woods.
Simple compus
Sturdy knife
Fire starter ( magnisim and flint)
Fish line and hooks
Emergency blanket
These items can be found at any army navy store or camping equipment outlet. You want them to all be small but reliable as your going to want to be able to count on them in the worst case senereo.
After that I would pick your bag. Possibly the most important and least considered part of your gear, your pack should most of all be comfy and easy to take off quick (most bags have simple clips on the straps that work fine). Another thing to think of is size. I've found that the bigger bag I have the more stuff I bring and the more exhausted I get. A bag that fits you tent sleep system and some food with a little room left is perfect. Old army rucks are normally great to start with.
Next I always seam to bring with me my jet boil ($100 at most outfitters) a spoon and a hammock. You will undoubtedly find bits of kit that you love and hate and nothing sucks more then paying big bucks for something you can't stand, I get around this by buying a cheap piece of gear I'm not sure of, trying it for a trip and then spending good money on one that will last and I know exactly what I want from it.
As for joining groups I would ask around local outfitting stores. Have fun and always bring a camera.
Any good wilderness camping sites in NJ or PA?
joe k
I live in the NJ/PA area and am in search of a new wilderness camping area. In south jersey, Wharton State Forest offers some of the only sites where you actually have to hike/canoe 1-3 miles to get to the campsite. This is a nice woodsy area but lacks a good swimming lake (great for woodsy day hikes while camping though). North of Trenton is Round Valley Reservoir - my favorite so far. A 3-5 mile hike or slightly shorter canoe and you almost feel completely alone with a whole lake to yourself.
I am in search of another campsite in the NJ/PA area that requires a hike (helps to weed out some of the "cheaters"... ie. little kids... and increases the "away from civilization" feeling) but also leaves you with a nice view or nice place to swim and feel alone for a couple of days/nights. Preferably, I would prefer to have a campsite that is not immediately next to another and is at least somewhat away from civilization.
Anything in the Eastern PA/NJ area?
Does anybody know of a good place along the Appalachian Trail in the PA/NJ area where a good 2-3 day camping trip can take place? Having a campfire is a major part of camping but I have heard that they are only allowed in certain areas on the AT. Ideally, I'd like to find an area within a 1-4 mile hike to leave the tent for a couple of nights where a fire can be built.
Answer
The only WILDERNESS areas in PA are in the Allegheny National Forest. There is also the Great Swamp NWR and Brigantine Wilderness, also managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
There are several Natural and Wild areas in the Delaware State Forest (PA) but most of them are off limits for camping. You can check the state bureau of forestry website for more info. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/index.aspx
There are plenty of good backpacking trails in Eastern PA, but none of them are in a Wilderness area. Better opportunities for remote camping and backpacking exist in the central part of the state. There is the Old Loggers Path and the Loyalsock Trail as well a World's End State Park. Most of the state parks and trails such as The Horseshoe Trail and Thunder Swamp can be very congested due to their closeness to the Philly/NJ border. In short, don't count on finding anything remote east of the Susquehanna River. Hickory Run, Promised Land, Beltzville, and Rickett's Glen State Parks are usually very crowded during peak camping season.
Similarly, the AT in Pennsylvania largely crosses state game lands (no camping at all), state forest lands (usually no fires), private lands, and easements given to the ATC/NPS by private individuals. Due to relocations and weather conditions, fire restrictions change often. The current AT Guidebook for PA will give fairly accurate info, but you could hike in 7 miles to a campsite or shelter only to find that the property owners or the state has posted a fire restriction. The section from PA-183 to Swatara Gap is fairly remote. I've hiked it several times and usually only run into a handful of other hikers. The only places I've ever found crowded are the areas inside the Delaware Water Gap and around the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, but I've hiked the entire state several times and can honestly say I've never had the feeling of remoteness. You can almost always see lights from towns and on quiet nights can hear cars and noise from down in the valleys.
If you want to find a good swimming hole check here:
http://www.swimmingholes.org
Some places listed there have camping areas.
Personally, I'd head up to the Adirondacks or Vermont. There are many more remote areas to camp and lots of great swimming holes. So save up a few more PTO or Vacation days and spend a few more hours in the car. It's worth it.
The only WILDERNESS areas in PA are in the Allegheny National Forest. There is also the Great Swamp NWR and Brigantine Wilderness, also managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
There are several Natural and Wild areas in the Delaware State Forest (PA) but most of them are off limits for camping. You can check the state bureau of forestry website for more info. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/index.aspx
There are plenty of good backpacking trails in Eastern PA, but none of them are in a Wilderness area. Better opportunities for remote camping and backpacking exist in the central part of the state. There is the Old Loggers Path and the Loyalsock Trail as well a World's End State Park. Most of the state parks and trails such as The Horseshoe Trail and Thunder Swamp can be very congested due to their closeness to the Philly/NJ border. In short, don't count on finding anything remote east of the Susquehanna River. Hickory Run, Promised Land, Beltzville, and Rickett's Glen State Parks are usually very crowded during peak camping season.
Similarly, the AT in Pennsylvania largely crosses state game lands (no camping at all), state forest lands (usually no fires), private lands, and easements given to the ATC/NPS by private individuals. Due to relocations and weather conditions, fire restrictions change often. The current AT Guidebook for PA will give fairly accurate info, but you could hike in 7 miles to a campsite or shelter only to find that the property owners or the state has posted a fire restriction. The section from PA-183 to Swatara Gap is fairly remote. I've hiked it several times and usually only run into a handful of other hikers. The only places I've ever found crowded are the areas inside the Delaware Water Gap and around the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, but I've hiked the entire state several times and can honestly say I've never had the feeling of remoteness. You can almost always see lights from towns and on quiet nights can hear cars and noise from down in the valleys.
If you want to find a good swimming hole check here:
http://www.swimmingholes.org
Some places listed there have camping areas.
Personally, I'd head up to the Adirondacks or Vermont. There are many more remote areas to camp and lots of great swimming holes. So save up a few more PTO or Vacation days and spend a few more hours in the car. It's worth it.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Getting started hiking and backpacking?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment