Melanie

undefined HI, I am new to this website, and hiking as well.

I have been doing a lot of reading on it, and would love to find someone (somepeople) who know what their doing, that do not mind passing along the knowledge.

I live in Houston.

-Melanie

lost_but_found

There is a group of us who try to get out as much as possible, we have a trip planned for October 15th-17th - probably (hopefully) about 5-7 people showing up, most of who've been out together a couple of times. We all got together on the backpacker.com forums and planned a trip to Lake Georgertown in Feburary. We decided to start up a hiking group so we could join up with fellow hikers. We plan larger trips too - Two other guys and I went out to Bandelier Nation Monument in NM for a week - http://brett.cmdx.com/view_album.php...e=Bandelier_NM, a couple others just did the John Muir Trail (JMT) as well - http://www.paullockey.com/JMT2004/Af...TripReport.htm. Most of us have been out on some awesome trips and love to share knowledge, tips and tricks.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleHikersInTexas/

That is the site and a picture of our first trip out to Lake Georgetown, but I think you have to send Paul, the moderator, an email to join the group. If you want to join, then send me an email or "private message" via my profile and I can give you his email. Or maybe you can join with the "join this group" button, I'm not sure - it is a private group.

The best advice I can give is to get out and do it. See if you like first, then find the gear that suits what you want to do with it. Have you ever been camping or hiking at all? Backpacking? If backpacking interests you, there is a whole world of equiptment out there. Some a necessity, some superfluous, and lighter is better!! If camping and day hiking seems better, then you can get heavier duty equipment and camp accomodations (generally cheaper too) and a small comfortable backpack that will hold enough water and food for a day and some extra.

Melanie

WOW! Thank you for replying!

That is some great information!

I have camped out before, and who hasn't wondered down a trail - but thats about the extent of it. When I was a kid I would 'explore' the woods in Magnolia.

I like the idea of hiking, and camping over nite - not sure what the difference is in backpacking, other then hearing people say "I'g gunna backpack across Europe"

-Melanie

lost_but_found

Camping is fairly luxirious compared to backpacking. Backpacking is carrying everything you need to survive on your back. I typically do 5-7days for long trips, but people do months as well. There is also the weekend warriors - which is kind of what we (the group as a whole) do - who just go out for a 3day 2night trip. But backpacking means no showers, ice cold drinks (unless you are bping in a cold climate), restrooms, or comfortable accomodations (the more stuff you put in your backpack, the heavier it is going to be). But the pay off is far better than camping.

Backpackers checklist (10 essentials): http://www.backpacking.net/Jims-10-Essentials.html

When camping, the attraction is a view of something grand - such as mountains or a canyon. Backpacking is being out in that view - in those mountains or canyons. Seeing them first person instead of third person.

Melanie

Weekend (3 days 2 nites) would be the longest I think I could go without a shower.

Ok, the longest I want to go without a shower!

I submitted my request to join the Yahoo group.

Will I be able to find people that take weekend trips a little locally?

-Melanie

ploddinTod

Melanie,
There is a local group that takes day hikes in the Sam Houston National Forest every two weeks on the Lone Star Hiking Trail, which extends roughly 130 miles from Hunstville to Cleveland. The do have a website with all the info. Do a google search for Lone Star Trail Hiking Club. I haven't been out with them in several years so I don't know what the ages are of the group. They are very open and friendly to new hikers. Jane is still the president of the club, and she is very nice.
There may also be a subgroup of this club that backpacks. But you'll find this out as you get to know them. Hope this helps.

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PloddinTod

vettech2112

Heya Folks,
Since fate has thrown me an interresting curve, after the first of the year, I may join y'all on one of these hikes to see what's what. Thanks for the links.

BTW, for those of you who "know" me here - I've dropped out of RN school, the move to San Antonio is off and I'm moving from Clear Lake to the Cypress/JV area in November. I've kinda fallen into a GREAT position at one of the best exotics clinics in the city.

wrongturn

I'm in Cypress. What's an "exotics clinic"?

David

ploddinTod

Vettech, Congrats on your decision to stay with your clinical work. It's obvious that is where your passion lies. And now that you're moving to the other side of the city, you'll be closer to the prime hiking areas. Closer and not having to battle as much traffic to get there.

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PloddinTod

vettech2112

An exotics clinic is a veterinary clinic that sees a high percentage of exotics. Exotics = not dog/cat or farm animal. We still see dogs & cats but we also see snakes, lizards, birds, ferrets, rabbits (okay, maybe a rabbit is technically a farm animal), chinchillas, etc.