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Decided to do the Foothills Trail so we could get some warmer weather being from Iowa. Did it in four nights, averaged about 20 miles per day. Ate 3,500 calories/day doing no cook to save weight not lose any body weight.

Gear:

• Miraposa GG 60L pack - worked great and fit all of my food. Back never got sore once.
  
  
• Cascadia Brooks 11 Trail Runners - Finally got a pair of trail runners that work for me. La Sportiva, Solomon, etc. all did not fit me. These things dried out like a champ and were light weight.
  
  
• Merino Minus 33 wool tops and bottoms. Worked amazingly. Kept me warm, dry, and stink free. However, the quality leaves something to be desired. Started fraying. I realize that wool isn't the strongest of materials, but these things won't last too long unfortunately.
  
  
• Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager Fishing Pole - Small, lightweight, inexpensive, great quality, collapsible, comes with a carrying case that fits perfectly in my pack.
  
  
• NEMO Hornet 1P - love everything about this tent, especially the weight. The zipper to the door can be a little bit of a pain to zip up if you don't have the right tension in the fabric, but other than that, it's awesome. A little extra headroom would be nice, but it's nothing that's been a problem.
  
  Trail:
  
  
• Such an amazing trail and well marked.
  
• Fairly difficult. There were almost no parts of the trail that were just flat. You were either going up or down.
  
• Beautiful views. My favorite parts were the top of the mountain at table rock and walking alongside the Chattooga for several miles.
  
• Fishing wasn't great. We didn't catch much, but it's hard to get good fishing in when you're hiking 20 miles/day.
  
  Things I would have done differently:
  
  
• Made sure my two hiking partners were ready to hike 20 miles/day prior to going. I think it was a bit more than they thought it would be, but we still had a blast.
  
  
• Bring less first aid stuff. If you get hurt, you can call someone. I don't really need band aids for scrapes. Ibuprofen is about all I need for muscle aches.
  
  
• Need advice on water filters. The Sawyer Mini worked great, but the flow rate is not up to speed for me. We estimated that we filtered about 15-20 gallons of water between the three of us. One friend had a water filter pump and I used the Sawyer. Most of our downtime was filtering water which kind of sucked. Is there something that works faster? It was hot so we were pounding the water.
  
  Shuttle:
  
  
• We used Heyward Douglas who operates on a volunteer basis. We each gave him a $20 bill. He was the nicest guy ever and gave us lots of good advice. Even called me after we were done to make sure we were safe and ask how we liked the trail. He picked us up at Oconee State Park and brought us to Table Rock State Park where we hiked back to our car.
  
  Snakes:
  
  
• We saw three different types of snakes (all non-venomous). My buddy has an intense phobia of them and almost peed his pants the first time we saw one.
  
  Pros of the trail:
  
  
• Well marked.
  
• Difficult.
  
• Decent cell phone reception.
  
• Waterfalls every mile.
  
• No problem with water sources for drinking due to the previous bullet.
  
• Plenty of trees for hammocking (which my friend did) and tying up a bear bag.
  
• I believe we were the only group we saw that was thru hiking.
  
• People were very nice! We love the south!
  
  Cons of the trail:
  
  
• Saw many day hikers.
  
• Guide books were kind of pricey (I have a guide book I'll send to someone if they cover the shipping).
  
• 20 miles/day were kinda hard on the knees.
  
• Last 15 miles of the trail to the west were pretty uneventful/not many views.
  
  Guidebook:
  
  
• I used 'Hiking South Carolina's Foothills Trail' by Scott Lynch. Worked great and it was really small.
  
  Footwear:
  
  
• I highly recommend trail runners... I was the only person from my group who didn't have any blisters.
  
  All gear I used was ultralight. Please ask questions regarding what gear I used and how I liked going no cook. If you plan on doing this trail anytime in the future, I highly recommend it. I did a lot of research on it and hiked it straight through, so I think I could help out a lot if you have any questions about planning a thru/day hike on it!
  

Well, this got far longer than I intended. I hope you get something useful out of it, I did a brief summary at the end if you want to just skip to that.

The most important gear to have would be a way to contact someone if necessary. Assuming there is service, a cell phone suffices. I doubt you are going far enough into the wilderness for now that you will be out of cell reach. But keep an eye on the signal on your first trip on a trail, you don't want to find out you're in a dead zone after you realize you need to contact someone. An additional option would be an emergency whistle, some of them are capable of blasting over 120 decibels and are small enough to fit in a small first aid kit (see below) or wear around your neck. Three blasts are the commonly accepted signal for "Can I get some help over here please?!" Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back, so they can send out the cavalry in case you get turned around and can't make cell contact.

If you are going off pavement onto trails, take a map of the general area showing the trails in case you get turned around. Caltopo or Google maps are the most commonly used source for free, printable maps these days I believe. Just remember, typical printer paper and ink aren't waterproof, so slip them into a ziploc in case of rain. If you are going to be hiking in a managed area, contact whoever is in charge of managing it, as they probably have excellent maps available. If all else fails, there are often good maps at trailheads. Just don't get there empty-handed to hike counting on there to be a map. There are also lots of apps available like Gaia, Alltrails, Hiking Project, etc. A small (half-dollar size) pocket compass to orient yourself is handy to have, in case your cell phone dies and you don't have it to reference. Too many people act like there is no chance of them dropping or sitting on their phone or having it just decide to crap out on them. A small compass would also fit in a small emergency kit (see below).

Also important is to carry water. How much depends on the weather, distance, etc. Use you judgment and then carry a little more. A liter (maybe two?) should be enough for a couple of hours hiking. A snack or energy bar can be nice to have in a pocket in case your energy levels start to crash as well.

Another very important consideration is your footwear. If you are going to be hiking on established trails or paths, I don't personally think you need boots and would probably be better off in very comfortable walking or trekking shoes. They are far more lightweight (less fatiguing) and breath better than most boots. Speaking of breathing, waterproof anything = barely breathes. For spring, summer and fall, you'll probably be more comfortable in good breathing shoes that aren't waterproof but can dry quickly (including your sweat). Sweaty feet lead to them slipping around in the shoe, which leads to blisters. The only reason I would suggest boots is if you are going to be hiking over rough, rocky terrain or lots of roots that make for an uneven surface. In that case, good boots laced tightly can save you from twisting an ankle. Whatever you get, don't buy them at Walmart, go somewhere where the help has a clue. Don't be afraid to throw an aftermarket pair of insoles in there from the outset if they make the shoe/boot feel perfect, especially fully supporting your arch. Whatever you get, break them in slowly. Don't start with a 10 mile hike unless you like pain. If you've got a good pair of very comfortable, great fitting (no foot slippage!) and supportive walking shoes that aren't worn out right now, try them before blowing a bunch of money on something fancy.

Along with good walking shoes goes good walking socks. Cushioned merino wool hiking socks are always preferred over cotton, possibly with a sock liner if you are prone to blisters. The perennial favorite is Darn Tough Merino Wool Cushion Socks (lifetime guarantee!), but pick whatever you like. Just get something with cushioning (but not way too much that will make your foot slip around in your shoe). Don't worry about wool being hot, merino wool is some magical, physics-defying material. Just don't get winter-weight socks, you'll be fine. Merino wool socks can be hiked in for literally days and not pick up any odor, wool is naturally anti-microbial. Synthetic socks, on the other hand, can reek after a few hours and the smell will not want to come out.

Lastly on the foot front, take something like moleskin or similar blister care/prevention with you from the outset. Even sports tape or a band-aid will help in a pinch. A little first aid kit (throw it in a little ziploc baggie, no need to buy one) with some moleskin, a couple of band-aids, a safety pin (pops blisters, field repair ripped clothing/zippers/broken buttons), a couple of benadryl and advil, maybe some sting-eze along with your emergency compass will slip into any pocket. The key here is that as soon as you feel a hot spot, or rubbing on any part of your foot, STOP IMMEDIATELY, remove your shoe and sock, inspect the area and put something over the spot that is being rubbed. Check inside of your shoe, is there anything inside that might be causing the rub? Nobody ever wants to stop to mess with an annoyance in their shoe, so they soldier on. Well, it isn't going to go away, and it's just going to keep getting worse and worse until you can't walk on it. And it'll be too damn late to do anything preventative by then. So stop and take action as soon as you feel it. Sometimes just re-tying your shoe can stop the slippage. Don't ignore it. Your feet will toughen up, but if it's a recurring problem, consider sock liners, different shoes, pre-taping that spot before starting your hike, etc.

What to wear depends on the weather (temperatures and rain) and sun in your area. Clothing generally blocks sun better than sunscreen, but it can also make you hotter. Sunburns suck and lead to melanoma. Always wear a cap that will breath and is designed to keep the sun off of your face (a wide brim all the way around is great, if not a fashion statement). Cotton clothing is generally not pleasant once it's drenched with sweat (or rain), doubled or more in weight and sticking to you, but it is more effective at cooling you when it's wet (which is also why it can be deadly if it gets wet and the temperatures drop - and I'm not talking down to freezing). Performance synthetics are better at drying and blocking sun, but some can hold onto stink like nobody's business, even through washes. Lightweight merino is great, but they don't give that stuff away and it isn't as durable as synthetics. You can get by with whatever you've got in the closet to get started. I prefer synthetic, stretchable, hiking pants; jeans generally suck for hiking. They are restrictive, they bind when you want to raise your leg high, once they get wet they stay wet all day, so on and so forth. If all you've got is jeans or shorts, go shorts if the weather allows. Just remember, any skin you like cancer free needs to be covered with clothing or sunscreen.

Depending on the tick and mosquito intensity in your area, long pants/sleeves can help there, too. For sure, make use of bug repellent like DEET or Picaradin (hint: the "all natural" stuff doesn't really work) if you will be out in the early morning or evening for mosquitoes, or walking through grass for ticks. If you will be going off of established dirt paths and ticks are a real problem in your area, consider treating your clothes with permethrin. I'm really a believer in combining permethrin on my clothing with picaridin on my skin to prevent tick bites. If you do pick up a tick, do not pull it out with tweezers, or burn it or put oil on it or any of the other crappy old wives tales. That will likely just result in it spewing its bacterial load into your bloodstream. Use something like a Tick Key or similar that gets under the tick and pries it up out of your skin without ripping its head off still embedded in you, or squishing everything inside of it into you ala tweezers.

Lastly, and this is definitely an "after you've got some experience" item, you could consider trekking poles, even without carrying a pack. You mentioned being out of shape, trekking poles can really take some strain off of your knees, hips and ankles and spread it to your upper body. Definitely don't go out and buy them to start with, but keep them in mind if you find your lower joints really bothering you. Lots of people even brag up Walmart's and Costco's trekking poles that are pretty inexpensive. Just be sure to get the kind that have "flip-locks" instead of the "twist-locks" if you get adjustable length poles. Most people who start with twist locks quickly move on to flip locks after their twist lock poles collapse under them a few times. Watch some Youtube videos for proper technique for using poles.

All of the above will either be worn on you or fit in your pockets, with the exception of the water, which you could carry or get some sort of bladder or bottle carrier that would fit to your belt. No need for a pack - unless you want one!

So to summarize:

• Your cell phone and emergency whistle
  
• Map of the area showing the trails
  
• Comfortable shoes with good socks
  
• Water
  
• Snack
  
• Hat with brim and comfortable (preferably non-cotton) clothing
  
• Small homemade pocket first aid kit w/ blister prevention and emergency compass
  
• Bug spray before you hit the trail
  
  And go have fun! It's walking, chances are you aren't going to screw that up too badly, and the more you do, the better you'll get. You'll also figure out exactly what you want to have with you out there.

Poles are life-changing. I know they seem dumb. I would likely still think they're silly if I didn't try them out of necessity after nursing an injury. But it makes hiking so. much. faster. and much more comfortable on the down. Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles are basically everyone's top pick, but they're expensive. If you're just hiking the PCT, I would go for something lighter, more like the Gossamer Gear LT4 (I have them and love them) - they're more fragile, but I've only ever broken 1 and it was definitely my fault, almost any pole would have suffered some damage. If you want a budget trekking pole to test whether you like it, I think these are what everyone recommends:

https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Twist-Lock/dp/B007E0ZBZI

I think you can get the same ones at costco?

Anyway, I haven't done any of the PCT in OR or WA, but I live in CA and have explored bits and pieces in Northern CA, Tahoe, and the Sierra. Tahoe is my home away from home if I can call it that, so I love the trail as it goes through there and have hiked and skied parts of it many times. The high Sierra sections should be on anyone's bucket list, but can be so highly trafficked that you can easily find better hikes just one valley or ridge over. I'm also a big fan of California's deserts, but they can be a bit overwhelming to new hikers. A wonderful place to explore in the spring.

I've never gone without a shelter, but have used a tarp and lightweight bug-proof bivy on trips there. Using a standard bivy is a pretty personal preference, but it's definitely an option. I think in OR and WA, I'd be more likely to bring a tent or tarp with a large living space underneath for prolonged rain. You can sleep in just a sleeping bag for weeks at a time in California, nights are usually pretty dry. You don't want to be without bug protection until later in the year.

I use an inflatable air mattress. If you can sleep comfortably on a foam mattress, I suggest getting the lightest one you can find and cutting it at the knees. Otherwise, NeoAir X Lite pads are my favorite.

Usually I'm just wishing for some food thing, or fizzy drinks or something.

I've gotten pretty good at bringing the right things for the conditions and checking everything in my pack when I get back to make sure that it was useful. I literally practice packing on smaller trips just so I don't wish for things and bring anything extra. I really can't think of any non-emergency items that don't get used at some point.

Also, I replaced the Salomon X Ultra 2 with the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor and am a huge fan. The sole is less boxy and has a really great rock plate, the rubber is softer and grippier for climbing things, it's more breathable, and it just fit my foot better. For long distances on trail, Altra shoes are very comfortable, breathable and light - worth checking them out too!

Check out /r/PacificCrestTrail - people are posting their photos/reports of their current thru hikes there

The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness has two great mountains to climb- Pharaoh Mountain and Treadway Mountain. Both have great views- the views from Pharaoh are a little bit better, but it also attracts a lot more hikers, so the summit can get a little crowded if you're up there on the weekend and it's a nice day.

I'd also recommend checking out the Lake George Wild Forest- some great peaks there with awesome views. The Tongue Mountain Range on the west side of Lake George, and Black Mountain, Sleeping Beauty, and Buck Mountain on the east side especially are all worthwhile hiking destinations. There is also some really pretty small ponds and lakes to explore in the vicinity of Black Mountain and Sleeping Beauty- Lapland Pond, Millman Pond, Fishbrook Pond, and Bumps Pond are all worthwhile destinations. In fact, the network of trails on the east side of Lake George is quite extensive, and it would take probably a solid week to explore all that the area has to offer.

There are also some easier hikes in the High Peaks. Cascade and Porter are 4,000 footers, but they can easily be done in a day by anyone who is in reasonable shape. Some shorter mountains in the High Peaks, but still with spectacular views, include Noonmark, Round, Baxter, and Roostercomb.

What I would do is invest in a couple of hiking maps, and maybe some guidebooks. National Geographic makes a map set that covers the entire park in 5 different maps- one of the five covers the Lake George region, while another covers the High Peaks region. The Adirondack Mountain Club also publishes some great guidebooks- there's one for the Eastern region (including Lake George and Pharaoh Lake), and one for the High Peaks.

Hope that helps!

Just did a South Kaibab -> Bright Angel loop last month. It was a strenuous hike but entirely possible for 3 guys who did no training whatsoever before leaving. If you don't have your permits already in order it may be too late to go down legally, they generally book up months in advance; visit the park website for more information. The fine for camping without a permit is $50.

It's hard to say who your party consists of from your brief description but I'd recommend not taking kids <13 years on this hike.

The North Rim is a lot higher in elevation, therefor has worse weather, and in fact closes in late November.

Required gear is pretty standard but of course depends upon your route. Pack lots of water, some of the water sources freeze up and cannot be relied upon in winter.

It looks like from some of the posts that you'll be responsible for food. If you're only going to do a single overnight and stay/dine at Phantom Ranch, bring a bunch of light snacks otherwise definitely bring a stove because nothing is going to beat a hot meal on a cold day when you're exhausted. If you don't have one already I like my Jetboil. It's kind of pricey but it packs into itself and is only slightly larger than a travel coffee cup. If you need silverware, these sporks are the shit. They're durable and won't pierce anything in your pack.

Get nice socks (like smartwool) they'll reduce your likelihood of developing blisters and good hiking boots which ideally will be broken in. It sounds like you're pretty well experienced and have appropriate clothing.

Most importantly bring a camera. This hike is going to beautiful and fun. It's going to be a hike you won't forget but you're going to want to share your memory with other people. Have fun!

I can't think of a brand that I wouldn't buy. Rather, it more depends on what model shoes are available at the time when I need a new pair. I got several years from a pair of Danner EXO Edge GTX that I picked up when they were discontinued, and I just bought a pair of North Face Ultra 109 GTX that I'm excited about.

Recently, the North Face Hedgehog and Topo ST have been highly reviewed. But they're also two very different shoes. My personal preference would be to try the Hedgehog but instead go for Topo's MT. In May, Topo will also be releasing their Oterro light hiking shoe. Merrell, Salomon, and Keen are all solid manufacturers that lean toward more boot-style footwear. Adidas and La Sportiva lean more toward trail runner types. I've even seen a few New Balance shoes that I wouldn't mind trying.

Your best bet is to just hit a bunch of outfitters and sporting goods stores and try on whatever appeals to you - I usually make my initial decisions based on the outsole treads and the weight of the shoe. I'm also a big fan of a Gortex layer (anything labelled GTX has one) to provide some protection from water. It also decreases ventilation in the shoe, so it's not for everyone. The more shoes you try, the better feel you'll get what you find comfortable.

In general, you want your ankle held firmly but not tightly in place. You should be able to wiggle your toes in the toe box. Tap the toe box on the ground or against a wall - your toes should have enough extra space and your ankle should be firmly enough held that your toes won't be crammed painfully into the front of the shoe. The best shoe selection info I've read was in Andrew Skurka's book, which you can often pick up in public libraries. Also check out the REI guides on running shoes, walking shoes, trail runners, hiking boots, etc. While you can usually find their same items online for less, the staff at REI is fantastic at helping you find the gear appropriate for your needs.

I echo the trekking poles suggestion (they're a lifesaver for me), and I'd say that practice will help you build confidence. I'm not sure where you are, but if scrambling is what you're interested, there might be courses that give you instruction and techniques to better move over rock and snow. I took my alpine scrambling course through the Mountaineers in Washington state, and it did wonders for my confidence on snow (I already felt pretty good on rock). A lot of the material covered is in the Freedom of the Hills book, which might be an interesting read, though it goes into alpine climbing and more advanced subjects as well.

Yeah, I've been to the Lewis and Clark trail a few times. Lots of great hiking in Missouri. If you live in the region and don't already have it, I'd recommend this book that covers hikes close to St. Louis (in MO and IL):

https://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Including-Farmington/dp/0897328833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497446023&sr=8-1&keywords=60+hikes+within+60+miles+st+louis

I've done at least 3/4 of the hikes in the book and it's a good way to explore new areas. It is sorted by region, but also includes indexes for other trail considerations such as length, difficulty, remoteness/foot traffic, and terrain. One of my favorite trails is Lower Rock Creek (near Fredericktown, Missouri). There's almost never anyone there, one or two cars at the trailhead at most. The road in is a little rugged and it can be pretty snakey and ticky, but it's still one of my favorites. Also, the smooth rock surface along the creek is extremely slick.

The Buffalo River is also an easy recommendation. We dumped a couple of times, but overall, the stretch that we did was easy. There are lots of nice spots where the water is deep and the rock ledges are accessible, if cliff jumping is your thing. :) Also, several small waterfalls, springs, and small caves to enjoy.

Aaaannnnnnd... I wish I was there now.

Can you be more specific as to the particular stove(s) you're looking at on amazon?

A few months ago, I was looking for a cheap backpacking stove and stumbled upon this one on amazon.

Seems to have pretty favorable reviews, and I was going to order it, until I realized that it would be shipping from Hong Kong. If I'd had the time to wait for shipping, I would have purchased it, but I needed something right away.

That being said, I ended up just going to my local REI and picking up the MSR pocket rocket and have been extremely impressed with the performance. It also feels extremely durable, I'd highly recommend it.

Also....that one on amazon has an electronic ignition. It's nice, but the other components will probably outlive it. Plus you're already carrying matches/lighter so it's not like the lack of ignition on the MSR is extra weight.


Just my thoughts!

Where's the trip? I'm curious about the need for that much water, but could see it in a desert. The pack should be fine, if a tad heavy, but if you end up having to carry bulky items it may be too small. (Worry about that later though.)

Aside from /r/Ultralight, Skurka's blog has good content both his book and this other one are good to look through.

One other suggestion I'd make is to adjust the gear list people get, otherwise you could end up with a bunch of inexperienced people with 60lb packs and all the fun that brings. There are a number of threads (on BPL, in /r/ultralight, and elsewhere) that list ultralight setups that try to stay under a given dollar amount. You can use those give people lists that include both common lightweight items and their budget alternatives. Remember, if they pack too much, you might end up having to carry it.

The main problem with cheap gaiters is how easy they are to put on and remove, and once they're in place, how well they stay put. I've owned some truly frustrating cheap gaiters.

Little bitty-height sets like these always suck, without fail. They never stay in place.

I finally managed to scrounge up a pair of OR Verglas gaiters off-season at a local outdoor gear shop, and I am in love with them. So very very much in love. We will have beautiful, water-resistant babies together.

I am almost always the first one in my group to get my gaiters on and fully ready, while everyone else is wrestling with stupid buckles or cinching systems or trying to tie a knot or trying to fit their foot through elastic. And once they're on, they damn well stay put.

You are going to lose the black nail- but it will likely grow back.

From looking at it- you need to trim your toenails and make sure your shoes fit properly (i.e. so that your toe is not hitting the front of the toe box). Tightening your laces for the downhill can help this.

You might want to pick up a copy of John Vonhof's "Fixing Your Feet":

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0899976387?tag=footworkpubli-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0899976387&adid=0NDTA1DRX5CAAMPJJ5DB&

This is hands down the best reference for information on endurance sport related foot issues.

Anything MSR cooking is aweaome, and then for a cheap pocket stove, check this out:

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Stove-Ignition/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1344822829&sr=8-10&keywords=pocket+stove

It's a great great value. If you buy that and the MSR skillet with a gas canister, you're good to go for a while.

I'm in CT. Definitely hit Bash Bish Falls in MA - that's a special one. It can get crowded in the summer, though.

You might enjoy New England Waterfalls, a good book.

We are in the St. Louis area!
My favorite book at the moment
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis: Including Sullivan, Potosi, and Farmington - (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0897328833/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4v4xxbMWRGZKB)

Hope that helps ya some!

Lake Georgetown is good for hiking, and close to Austin.

Other tips:

1. spray your cloths with
   Permethrin
   
   
2. Use Deet around ankles, waist neckline and arm outlets.
   
   
3. have gps, and a compass, and a small map. Know how to use all three.
   
   granted most hikes you don't really need to a map / gps since the trails are obvious but might as well get in the habit of using them while its easy.

The first thing you should buy is 'Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'. It is an excellent resource that will guide you through every step of the way.

Buy, read, and apply https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Hikers-Gear-Guide-Second/dp/1426217846/

Then you’ll be prepared for wherever your fancy pulls you.

Its kinda funny because so many Americans head to Sweden to hike amazing places.

In spring the last couple years Costco has been stocking a set of Cascade Mountain carbon fiber poles. Work great, and I don't mind being rough on them.

Looks like they're on amazon now too:
http://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Carbon-Fiber-Trekking/dp/B007E0ZBZI

Prana Zion, pants, shorts or convertible pants if you like. Best hiking pants out there.

https://www.amazon.com/prAna-Mens-Stretch-Zion-Inseam/dp/B00ZE2KUT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549486254&sr=8-1&keywords=prana+stretch+zion+pants

So the cu in difference would be 1037 vs 1526 for 17 vs 25

For me I'm upgrading from a school backpack to one with a hydration area to hold a bladder. The manta seemed appealing because it comes with their osprey 3L.

People in another thread seemed to really love their Osprey 22 which has 1343 cu in.

Right now I'm just looking to hold water, food, a rain coat, extra pair of socks. I'm just trying to look to the future in case I need to hold extra clothing in the winter, or possible light camping? I'm still really new to hiking (only started a year ago).

As the others mentioned.. Ruffwear

I have the one I linked for my Jack Russell.. GREAT pack!

haha this one even less
thanks

Looks to be the Ruffwear Approach. I have the same pack for my Golden and it's great.

SECTION | CONTENT

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Title | SMOKY MOUNTAINS | Section hiking the Appalachian Trail Episode 1
Description | We set out to hike a small section of the AT. Mom, Dad, and I had an amazing time! There's so much life out on the AT. Make sure to check out Episode 2! Episode 2: https://youtu.be/rxYF34Mhpxc FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Turners_Travels Gear List: Camera Gear: Gitup Git2p - http://amzn.to/2tfm4dW Note 5 - http://amzn.to/2rsoaps Nikon D3400 - http://amzn.to/2rskV1h Hiking Gear: Icetek Sports Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove - http://amzn.to/2tAypJ7 Ohuhu17...
Length | 0:01:49






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This might be a little too technical and not really what you are looking for but this book is a must-have for anyone interested in mountaineering or even wilderness survival in general.

http://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Freedom-Hills-50th-Anniversary/dp/1594851387

It has absolutely everything you will need to know about anything in the outdoors. I call it my bible.

How about this? Why jump straight to $100 stoves for your first one?
(Although that BioLite is pretty damn cool!)

Like this stuff? http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Permethrin-Clothing-Repellent-24-Ounce/dp/B001ANQVYU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397393925&sr=1-1&keywords=permethrin

Haven't noticed an up-tick (har) in Oklahoma / Arkansas yet. Be sure to carry a Tick Key

I have this stove here, do you know how much burn time I will have with it?

I also have to cook breakfast and maybe lunch, so I was worried.