Hiking question

[SunTracker]

My friend suggested we go hiking this weekend in Indiana at Clifty Falls State Park The trail is twenty miles long and winds around several waterfalls.  Some websites describe the terrain as "rugged" and "treacherous".

Ok, few questions-  
(1)Is twenty miles way to ambitious for a day of hiking?

(2)Should I strap a tent to my frame pack just incase we get lost/tired?

(3) What supplies should I take with me?

(4) I have two frame packs, should I even take them?.  

Am I forgetting anything?

  The farthest I've ever hiked before was twelve miles at Red River Gorge State Park (kentucky).

[Lizking]

1)If the object is to have fun, 20 miles is 2 days, 3 if you are round-tripping.
2)buy a 10x12 blue tarp and dont unfold it before you go.
3)multiple pairs of socks, and even another pair of boots. liquids; I have found that Jagermiester gives the most bang for the weight, provided you pour it into a plastic canteen.
4)depends upon how much crap you pack.

[mrblack]

How old are you? what kind of shape are you in?
Pack as if you were going to be out there twice as long as you plan on.

Like the chap above says plenty of fresh socks and water.
A tent would be nice but you can live with out it.
Depending on the the weather ofcourse and the level of comfort
you wish to have.

I remember doing a 18 mile forced road march in the Army.
With 65 lbs ruck I was 18 then and It almost killed me LOL.
But I would think you will be taking your time and enjoying yourselves.

But yes do split it up into two days and you will feel much better .
And see much more of the sites.

[Tumor]

20 miles is pretty ambitious unless your trying to prove something.  If your looking for a good time and not all that experienced, the "good-times" will begin to wear off around 5mi and be gone at 10mi.  If your not in shape, and considering the "treacherous/rugged", you better plan on ALL day.

Tarp idea presented is great, but isn't it COLD in Indiana?  Take off without a good sleeping bag and protection from water and quite honestly, your a fool.  (consider immobilizing injury). Take a lighter and a box of matches. (especially if getting lost is the slightest worry).

Go to a surplus store and buy 4 MRE's, enough nutrition there to keep you going for 4 days and some... but, (don't be alarmed), you won't make poo-poo for 5 days either, and when you do it will have corners.

Make SURE folks know when your expected back.

[SunTracker]

My friend is 20, so am I.  

I'm in pretty good shape, have done lots of running (including a half-marathon).  My buddy smokes a pack a day.

Yeah Indiana is cold in the dead of winter.  But its supposed to be 43 degrees saturday.

I guess I will go ahead and put my tent and sleeping bag on my pack.

[Ping]

A good Multi purpose knife would be a good idea.

[Bodhi]

Bring a good survival and exposure kit.  That and be sure to let people know where you are going.  It is going to be cold, wet, and miserable.  Your smoking friend is going to be unable to keep pace, so figure 4 days.  2 out, 2 back.  

Neither of you is prepared.  Be smart, buy some beer and pizza, stay at home and watch TV.

[Boroda]

First and most important thing is boots.

Try to wear something with solid hard soles. Keds are NO GOOD for hiking!!! After 10km you will feel every small stone under your foot.

NEVER wear boots that feel tight in the city. Get something 1-2 sizes bigger and better put on an extra pair of wool socks. (Note: I use Soviet size number, my foot is 44, or 280 in modern scale).

Keep a pack of band-aid in your pocket. In case you even think you feel like your skin hurts and you can have a chance of getting a blister - immediately take off your boots and cover the aching place with band-aid! This IS important!

Frame-pack (if you mean a backpack hanging on a frame made usually of aluminium tubes) is better if you don't have an experience of how to fill your back-pack properly.

Take matches and a piece of plexiglas to light a campfire.

Also take a dish, a mug and a spoon. Spoon is most important.

Take a small flask of strong alcohol - in case you stop going and feel tired - drink up to 40ml of pure alcohol (100g in vodka) and it will keep you running for 2-3 hours without being even slightly drunk.

Don't forget your hat! A baseball cap can save you from sun stroke. I have seen people having sun strokes even over the Arctic circle.

If you take a tent with you - you have to know how to erect it. Try it in your home yard, and make sure you have all nessesary parts.

If you are going to sleep in a tent and sleeping bag - take a "hiking carpet", "karemat", or whatever they'll advice you in local store for sleeping in a tent. A carpet from polyethilene foam 2cm thik is good enough to sleep on snow.

Instead of all that knives and tools - take a small axe, make sure it's sharp and firmly attached to the handle.

Don't forget a compass! This little thing can literally save you.

Trying to remember what else you'll need.

Disclaimer: all above written things are based on hiking experience in USSR from Arctic areas to steppes, taiga and all kinds of mountains.

[Boroda]

Most important: please tell us after you come back, how did you like it.

[john9001]

cell phone, so you can tell the rescue team where to find you.

[gofaster]

Don't forget a videocamera to record all the "Blair Witch Project" moments.

[gofaster]

Originally posted by SunTracker
Ok, few questions-  
(1)Is twenty miles way to ambitious for a day of hiking?

For you, no.  For your buddy, maybe.

(2)Should I strap a tent to my frame pack just incase we get lost/tired?
If you think you can carry the weight and if the weather will turn ugly.

(3) What supplies should I take with me?
Bug spray, first aid kit, cell phone, small camera, knife, mace (for protection from all animals, including the two-legged kind), drinks, trail mix and energy bars in places that are easy to reach, packable food in the pack, wide-brimmed hat (helps keep spiders from falling down the neck of your shirt), more socks than you think you'll need (keep your feet dry), lighter, compass or GPS, 4x4 X-terra to haul you back down.

(4) I have two frame packs, should I even take them?.
If you can carry one and give the other to your buddy.  

Am I forgetting anything?

Hot-looking 20-year old babe to pose nude in the waterfalls.  Hey, look, there's a camera in your backpack!

[Sandman]

Read this .

[Samiam]

Do the math and determine how long you want to be walking.

Twenty miles is almost seven hours of walking at an average speed of 3mph. A 3mph average may be unrealistic if the trail is truely "rugged" and "trecherous". So figure that you'll be walking for eight hours. Add a half hour for lunch, and at least another for rest stops.

That's a nine hour outing in the winter - which means a pretty early start to maximize the liklihood that you won't be ending your return trip in the dark.

I'd say it's pretty ambitious - but when I was 20 I did much crazier things.

If your friend really smokes a pack a day, I'd not go just on the likelihood that you'll wind up spending the night in the cold because of him - and that's a best case scenario.

Go, hike for 4 hours. If you aren't past half way, turn around. If your friend is shows *any* signs of weakness during the first four hours, turn around immediately.

[SunTracker]

Great advice Boroda! and everyone else too.

I don't have an adequate pair of hiking boots at the moment.  Used to have some jungle-style combat boots, but unfortunately I think they have been thrown away.  

So according to your alls advice, here is what I am bringing

(1) Compass
(6) Gallons of vodka

Think I got everything covered lol.

I will post some pictures of the waterfalls Sunday.  Think there are several 75+ feet tall falls along the trail.