Posted July 13th, 2011 - 3:18 am by 
from Troy, United States (Permalink)
from Troy, United States (Permalink)Hi Brandywhine,
Its rather a long shot for me to be able to go on this hike with you, but I still wanted a little bit more information just to see if maybe I could. You said a multi-day hike. Are you planning on staying at a campground or actually backpacking? About how many miles a day are you planning on taking on? I'm a decent hiker, but I've mostly done day hikes.
I'm new to this group, so I'm not entirely sure how things work. I'm living in Troy, NY about 15 hours drive to Cape Chignecto. I'm new to the east coast. I was wondering when you were planning this hike? You say this month, but is there any chance of it happening next month? I have two weeks off in August and I am already planning one trip down to North Carolina to visit friends, but I would love to go on a hiking trip for part of that time as well. Sort of a long shot, but I thought I would still enquirer. Thanks.
Lots of luck,
Tessa
Its rather a long shot for me to be able to go on this hike with you, but I still wanted a little bit more information just to see if maybe I could. You said a multi-day hike. Are you planning on staying at a campground or actually backpacking? About how many miles a day are you planning on taking on? I'm a decent hiker, but I've mostly done day hikes.
I'm new to this group, so I'm not entirely sure how things work. I'm living in Troy, NY about 15 hours drive to Cape Chignecto. I'm new to the east coast. I was wondering when you were planning this hike? You say this month, but is there any chance of it happening next month? I have two weeks off in August and I am already planning one trip down to North Carolina to visit friends, but I would love to go on a hiking trip for part of that time as well. Sort of a long shot, but I thought I would still enquirer. Thanks.
Lots of luck,
Tessa
Posted July 14th, 2011 - 1:47 pm by 
from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)
from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)Hi Tessa,
I'll post some information down below...but I'll sum it up first. Per day we will be hiking about 12 km...its about 6 hours, maybe 4 depending on how fast we walk or how many breaks we take (we have to eat lunch :), or sightseeing we want to explore. As long as we get to camp before dark we have all the time in the world. We will be backpacking through, but there are designated camping spots where we have to set up along the way. Cape Chignecto has a bunch for these camping spots, so people aren't stranded and forced to camp in a non-camping area. There are fresh streams everywhere I'm told, so just take a water bottle (light weight...not those metal ones) and some water purification tabs.
Before I did a 7 day hike in Tasmania, Australia, I had never hiked a day in my life (quite literally...gone on walks, but never hikes), I loved every minute of it! It was by far the best experience I have ever had. This is why I have to do it again.
So, in the next post I'll post some information you might like to look over about what to bring, pack and what to expect. I hope you decide to come...I might move the hike to next weekend instead...I'll know by Friday.
I'll post some information down below...but I'll sum it up first. Per day we will be hiking about 12 km...its about 6 hours, maybe 4 depending on how fast we walk or how many breaks we take (we have to eat lunch :), or sightseeing we want to explore. As long as we get to camp before dark we have all the time in the world. We will be backpacking through, but there are designated camping spots where we have to set up along the way. Cape Chignecto has a bunch for these camping spots, so people aren't stranded and forced to camp in a non-camping area. There are fresh streams everywhere I'm told, so just take a water bottle (light weight...not those metal ones) and some water purification tabs.
Before I did a 7 day hike in Tasmania, Australia, I had never hiked a day in my life (quite literally...gone on walks, but never hikes), I loved every minute of it! It was by far the best experience I have ever had. This is why I have to do it again.
So, in the next post I'll post some information you might like to look over about what to bring, pack and what to expect. I hope you decide to come...I might move the hike to next weekend instead...I'll know by Friday.
Posted July 14th, 2011 - 1:50 pm by from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)
from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)I read somewhere once that the comfort level for weight to carry while hiking is around 19kg. I try to shoot for 14 kg only because I'm a bit small. Just keep in mind while you are packing that you have to carry it all on your back up hill most times or over streams. Also, another rule to live by: the more simple the product...the better...don't throw your money away on "top-of-the-line" gear because they work just as well as anything else.
Here's a list in case anyone needs to know what to bring:
Backpacking & Hiking Packing List
10 Articles of Essential Hiking Clothes
Refer to this hiking checklist below and use your personal judgment:
Regular underwear
Long underwear for sleeping
Hiking shirts, which are lightweight
Convertible, hiking pants (or long pants and shorts--the latter serve as the best hiking shorts
Hiking boots
A sweater or light coat for chilly nights
Brimmed hat for sun protection
Raincoat
In my experience, if any of the clothes you wear get wet, its warm enough to keep them on and keep hiking until they dry. If you're at camp and your clothes are wet, we're in the wilderness so no one cares if you have dry your clothes on a tree. But don't pack extra clothes in case the ones you wear get wet...there's no point and it just adds weight.
Tent & waterproof fly (I have a super light tent which weighs about 6 lbs, but I hear its just as comfortable to hike with a normal tent...just watch the pegs, some of those guys are awfully heavy.)
Sleeping bag, stuff sack, and sleeping bag pad
Adequate food supply (I use rice noodles and one of those dry packages of sauce, trail mix for snacks while hiking, breakfast meal- I used to eat cream of wheat- but check out MEC or a hiking store, they sell those dry pack meals for about $6.00 and they're descent tasting...oh and I take chocolate and beef jerky as well for energy...just be careful on the beef jerky...you don't want anything really salty due to the water supplies).
- Camping utensils, including cooking pot, cup, bowl, eating utensils, camping stove and enough fuel for your cooking needs. (Again I use this hiking stove...it comes with it all except fuel:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696469) . Oh yeah, I almost forgot, you can make your own camping stove. Its super easy, we did it in Australia and it worked well. Here's the link- the instructions look intense, but if you scroll down, take a look at the pics...it really is as easy as puncturing holes into a can:
http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/HTML/Super_Cat7.htm
- OH, for the love of god, don't use a water purification pump...you can get this little water purification tabs for about $2 at any drug store...I have a bunch, I just have to find them.
- 50 feet of nylon cord to hang your backpacking equipment (I have bungie cords if you need some)
- Bags: Trash bags and zip locked bags to help maintain organization
- Toilet paper and lightweight shovel to dig excrement holes
- Internal or external frame backpack
10 First-aid Kit Essentials (Dont worry about first aid, I have a kit which I will be bringing)
A properly supplied first-aid kit can mean the difference between surviving an unforeseen injury and possible death in the backcountry.
While the majority of these items will never be used, you must have every item on this hiking checklist or a mild injury can quickly turn dangerous:
Bandages, including ace, triangular sized, small bandages and nonadhesive for burns
Antibiotic ointment
Four 4x4 Gauze pads
Medications, including laxative, allergies, aspirin and others necessitated by personal needs
Tweezers & scissors
Bug repellent & sunscreen
Vinyl gloves
Adhesive tape
Snake bite kit, if in snake habitat
Moleskin for dealing with blisters
10 Survival Kit Essentials
Cigarette lighters wrapped in waterproof wrapper or waterproof matches
Compass with mirror for signaling to overhead assistance
2 Emergency food bars, such as cliff bars
Iodine water purification tablets
Plastic whistle
Reflective blanket
Swiss army knife
Waterproof Map
Headlamp or flashlight if your cheap like me ;)
Spare batteries
Have you ever seen a packing list that did not include a +1? Of course not.
The number one hiking essential that must be taken on every trip, no matter the length, and be on every checklist, is bear repellent (yes, there are bears...just black bears and chances are, since we're that close to the shore, we probably won't see any, but just in case, bring some repellent)
The great thing about buying hiking gear is that you are more than likely able to sell it for more than you paid for it on kijiji.ca...its much cheaper than renting!
For more hiking information follow this link:
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673221347&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302887340
Also, I'm a huge fan of MEC, so I'm going to suggest, if you have any questions outside of my expertise (which are a lot ;), call Mountain Equipment Co-Op and they are willing to answer any questions you might have, including questions about local trails around. They really are awesome!
Here's a list in case anyone needs to know what to bring:
Backpacking & Hiking Packing List
10 Articles of Essential Hiking Clothes
Refer to this hiking checklist below and use your personal judgment:
Regular underwear
Long underwear for sleeping
Hiking shirts, which are lightweight
Convertible, hiking pants (or long pants and shorts--the latter serve as the best hiking shorts
Hiking boots
A sweater or light coat for chilly nights
Brimmed hat for sun protection
Raincoat
In my experience, if any of the clothes you wear get wet, its warm enough to keep them on and keep hiking until they dry. If you're at camp and your clothes are wet, we're in the wilderness so no one cares if you have dry your clothes on a tree. But don't pack extra clothes in case the ones you wear get wet...there's no point and it just adds weight.
Tent & waterproof fly (I have a super light tent which weighs about 6 lbs, but I hear its just as comfortable to hike with a normal tent...just watch the pegs, some of those guys are awfully heavy.)
Sleeping bag, stuff sack, and sleeping bag pad
Adequate food supply (I use rice noodles and one of those dry packages of sauce, trail mix for snacks while hiking, breakfast meal- I used to eat cream of wheat- but check out MEC or a hiking store, they sell those dry pack meals for about $6.00 and they're descent tasting...oh and I take chocolate and beef jerky as well for energy...just be careful on the beef jerky...you don't want anything really salty due to the water supplies).
- Camping utensils, including cooking pot, cup, bowl, eating utensils, camping stove and enough fuel for your cooking needs. (Again I use this hiking stove...it comes with it all except fuel:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696469) . Oh yeah, I almost forgot, you can make your own camping stove. Its super easy, we did it in Australia and it worked well. Here's the link- the instructions look intense, but if you scroll down, take a look at the pics...it really is as easy as puncturing holes into a can:
http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/HTML/Super_Cat7.htm
- OH, for the love of god, don't use a water purification pump...you can get this little water purification tabs for about $2 at any drug store...I have a bunch, I just have to find them.
- 50 feet of nylon cord to hang your backpacking equipment (I have bungie cords if you need some)
- Bags: Trash bags and zip locked bags to help maintain organization
- Toilet paper and lightweight shovel to dig excrement holes
- Internal or external frame backpack
10 First-aid Kit Essentials (Dont worry about first aid, I have a kit which I will be bringing)
A properly supplied first-aid kit can mean the difference between surviving an unforeseen injury and possible death in the backcountry.
While the majority of these items will never be used, you must have every item on this hiking checklist or a mild injury can quickly turn dangerous:
Bandages, including ace, triangular sized, small bandages and nonadhesive for burns
Antibiotic ointment
Four 4x4 Gauze pads
Medications, including laxative, allergies, aspirin and others necessitated by personal needs
Tweezers & scissors
Bug repellent & sunscreen
Vinyl gloves
Adhesive tape
Snake bite kit, if in snake habitat
Moleskin for dealing with blisters
10 Survival Kit Essentials
Cigarette lighters wrapped in waterproof wrapper or waterproof matches
Compass with mirror for signaling to overhead assistance
2 Emergency food bars, such as cliff bars
Iodine water purification tablets
Plastic whistle
Reflective blanket
Swiss army knife
Waterproof Map
Headlamp or flashlight if your cheap like me ;)
Spare batteries
Have you ever seen a packing list that did not include a +1? Of course not.
The number one hiking essential that must be taken on every trip, no matter the length, and be on every checklist, is bear repellent (yes, there are bears...just black bears and chances are, since we're that close to the shore, we probably won't see any, but just in case, bring some repellent)
The great thing about buying hiking gear is that you are more than likely able to sell it for more than you paid for it on kijiji.ca...its much cheaper than renting!
For more hiking information follow this link:
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673221347&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302887340
Also, I'm a huge fan of MEC, so I'm going to suggest, if you have any questions outside of my expertise (which are a lot ;), call Mountain Equipment Co-Op and they are willing to answer any questions you might have, including questions about local trails around. They really are awesome!
Posted July 14th, 2011 - 1:54 pm by from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)
from Toronto, Canada (Permalink)Oh and if you want to go in August, I'm game :) And if you like, you can couchsurf with me if you can get to Halifax, then we can drive out to Cape Chignecto.