Hello. I'm new and have questions.

[Becka]

Ticks aren't as affected by frost as other insects. I had them on me during a bping trip to Sipsey back in January.

Hummm, I didn't realize the ticks are so bad year round. I will keep that in mind. I guess a hammock would be a little safer for the tick too.  I'll also put some Teatree oil in the first aid kit. By the way, in case ya'll never heard of this. 2 drops of Teatree oil will make a tick let go. And strerilize the bite. They really hate the smell. You can get it for around 6 bucks. Even Walmart carries it now.

[BritNLee]

I'm glad you started this topic! Its been really helpful for me. My husband and I (with the brother and sis in law) went backpacking overnight here in April. We had fun but it was grueling, we did not get good advice on trails!! We were exhausted by the time we finally found water after hiking ALL DAY.

So I'm glad to see all the tips on good trails for beginners. We are wanting to plan another trip soon.

Also, on ticks. UGH they were TERRIBLE when we were there! They were ITTY BITTY too, so very hard to feel/find. We covered ourselves in bug spray too. Oh well. Just do frequent checks! Oh and glad to hear about the teatree oil! I will def try that out!

[Magic City Matt]

I'm glad you started this topic! Its been really helpful for me. My husband and I (with the brother and sis in law) went backpacking overnight here in April. We had fun but it was grueling, we did not get good advice on trails!! We were exhausted by the time we finally found water after hiking ALL DAY.

So I'm glad to see all the tips on good trails for beginners. We are wanting to plan another trip soon.

Also, on ticks. UGH they were TERRIBLE when we were there! They were ITTY BITTY too, so very hard to feel/find. We covered ourselves in bug spray too. Oh well. Just do frequent checks! Oh and glad to hear about the teatree oil! I will def try that out!

Welcome to the forum all of you


Indeed, water is a situation where it helps to know someone who has been there. All I can say is always have more than you think you need and always have an emergency method of decontamination but in the end if you really need that water and it is a choice between living through heat exhaustion and drinking water they might make you sick in a couple of weeks... DRINK THE WATER.
As for the ticks. They are out there. I had a really bad unreasonable fear ticks for years until I was educated by my lovely wife about how they really don't pose much of a threat around here. They are plentiful this time of year but honestly in the fall and winter I rarely find one.

As for the tarping thing I made a post in the equipment section which may help you.
http://www.alatrails.com/...dex.php/topic,1757.0.html


Welcome once again

M

[Becka]

Oh wow. There are lots of link there. I can't wait to go through them. Thanks for the link.

[Becka]

Well, being a newbie is a bit confusing when I look at maps, directions and the like. Yopu've all been alot of help. I've researched so much its all in a mixed up bundle in my head and this pile of printed info on my desk. This site has given me more than anywhere else and I'm grateful. Hey, maybe I'll do a trip report after we go.

I am wondering about more. One thing is the water levels on the loop I was taking. I have a creek here (Cane Creek) on my property and know how quickly the water levels can change. Because it will be Fall and the waters ice cold anyway, I was wondering what the highest level is you all have seen at the two crossings on 209. I can handle it, but want to be sure and warn the others about what to expect.

[Uncle Wayne]

it will be Fall and the waters ice cold anyway, I was wondering what the highest level is you all have seen at the two crossings on 209. 

If you take the route I suggested you won't have to cross Sipsey.  But to answer your question, I've never seen Sipsey over knee deep in the Fall or Winter at those crossings.

[Becka]

Oh cool, thats nothing. I saw myself swimming with my pack above my head. Well, lol, knee deep might be waist deep on me. I'm getting excited and don't want to have any bad surprizes ya know. I still have a month to plan too. Hoping not to run into pigs. I saw an pig on Man vs Wild last night. The dude was in Alabama. But I sure theres a thread here about that. Anyway, other than the ticks what animals should I look out for or be perpared to battle? 

[JustADude]

Well you probably need a practice hike at Sipsey before you do the overnighter. Simulate as many overnight things as you can. Have you slept in that hammock overnight before? Have you hiked more than 5 miles in a day before while carrying a backpack? How about more than 10 miles? Have you been way out in the woods before and been caught by rain? Ever been out where you wouldn't know north from south without a compass? Ever been where your friend ask you to point toward the truck and you had no idea? Ever drank water from a stream?

As to the animals, pigs or deer will be the largest you will see, but might see/hear a bobcat or an armadillo.

[Becka]

Hi Justadude,
Great questions. Here are my answers.

Have you slept in that hammock overnight before? Yes, I love it. Use a canvas one when camping, but bought this nylon one for hiking.

Have you hiked more than 5 miles in a day before while carrying a backpack? Yes.

How about more than 10 miles? Yes. But never over 15 miles before.

Have you been way out in the woods before and been caught by rain? Yes, for about 6 hours, but not at night.

Ever been out where you wouldn't know north from south without a compass? Never. I look to the sky for that and time. As long as I can see the moon and sun I'm cool on direction.

Ever been where your friend ask you to point toward the truck and you had no idea? No.

Ever drank water from a stream? Yes the stream on my property, (6.7 p.h.) we use it when we camp here. However I won't have access to a big boiling pot on a hike.  I just got my new water bottle in the mail today. It steel and really nice. Its 26.oz. and weighs alot. With what I have packed in my backpack I could handle 3 of them. After that, I'm open to suggestions.

[JustADude]

Well your answers are pretty good, especially on how far you have hiked. You probably won't be able to see the sun or moon or stars when you are in Bankhead. You will just see trees when you look up 99.9% of the time. However if you have a compass and know how to use it, that should be cool. I can't speak for others, but I would not try to carry in more than half a day's worth of water. The rest I would get from a stream there. The only animals that might actually hurt you are bugs and snakes. You could well go the whole trip without seeing a snake, but you need to keep your eyes out for them. Wasps and hornets are not your friend.

You will probably do well and enjoy it. Good luck!

[Becka]

I'm hoping the snakes won't be a big problem after the first frost. This trip just got moved to mid Nov. I really dislike snakes. But I have a snakebite kit and know to watch out for them.

[JustADude]

Hello Becka. You still around? Getting ready for that trip? Waterfalls in Bankhead are all running strong right now. Weather is good. Good luck!!