I want to start backpacking and progress into trekking with rock climbing. I am psyched to spend days in the woods with just the bare necessities. Wheres a good place to sign up for treks and really learn with experienced people? What gear should I get to start with? Any clubs that I can join that arrange trips?
Oh yeah, I live in Connecticut so if I could do it around here without flying all over the place that would be great.
2007-10-23 14:33:21 · 3 answers · asked by mental114 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Other - Outdoor Recreation
start by contacting these folks for the local info and contacts you'll need
http://www.emsclimb.com/mobile.htm
I would have to say that for an outdoor skills school the best (in my opinion) is NOLS, National Outdoors Leadership School
www.nols.edu
trips and outings all over the world from kayaking to mountaneering.
These guys are the sh*t, and are highly respected to boot.
in terms of gear, get and learn to use a first aide kit, a good pocket knife, good boots, rain gear, appropriate clothing for the temps-time of year, and a day pack.
before you walk, crawl...that is to say, start with some day hikes to get conditioned and used to being in new surroundings.
get used to how your body works, sweats, tires.
in conjunction with reading books on the subject and contacting like minded induviduals, you'll be ready to commit to longer trips in no time.
When you want to throw climbing/mountanering into the mix, NOLS is seriously a great place if you want to go the school route.
2007-10-23 15:13:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good place to start is the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) here in CT. the chapter does mostly day hikes but does do a few over night hikes mostly on the AT. there's a mountaineering group as well. The AMC also does great group trips in New Hampshire some of witch are geared for beginners. the club web site WWW.OUTDOORS.ORG has lots of info.
Eastern Mountain Sports has a great climbing school in NH. LL Bean also has some good programs as part of the discovery series.
2007-10-24 12:43:28 · answer #2 · answered by snow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with your local equipment store. Ask the clerks, they are usually people who go outdoors themselves. Plus, try a bookstore...........theres lots of hiking, backpacking, rockclimbing magazines with ads and links to clubs and groups all over the country.
2007-10-23 14:49:07 · answer #3 · answered by Paul F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋