What do do before heading out?

**Theluciddreamers** · 03-15-2010, 01:11 AM

Now that it is finally getting warming in Michigan. I'm getting ready to start making day trips out into the woods. There is a park that 564 acres, and 20 steps away from my apartment complex so don't worry, I won't get lost! Beside's filling up my canteen with water and getting my knife sharp.... I want to know what I should do food wise before I head out. I should be gone for about 6-8 hours, and want to know what I should eat before I head out? Big breakfast, little one, medium size one? I would like to be at a point where I can go out for a day or two, and not feel like death because I haven't had much to eat. Should I train myself not to eat that much? I'm sure you might need more info. What I can tell you is that I don't have much meat on my bones. I'm 145 pounds, and 6ft tall. Any info would be great.

Thanks Guys!

**crashdive123** · 03-15-2010, 07:16 AM

Eat what you normally eat since you're just going for a long walk. Bring your lunch if you like (picnic lunches can be very relaxing) or just take a couple of those breakfast bar thingies.

**Sourdough** · 03-15-2010, 08:08 AM

The most important thing, to me is dialing in the correct clothing at the last moment. The greatest victory for me after a dayhike, is if I was not to hot and not to cold, if I guessed the clothing perfectly.

**Sarge47** · 03-15-2010, 09:11 AM

A sharp knife? What about a 1st aid kit?

**Stargazer** · 03-15-2010, 09:46 AM

[QUOTE I'm getting ready to start making day trips out into the woods. There is a park that 564 acres, and 20 steps away from my apartment complex so don't worry, I won't get lost!

Thanks Guys![/QUOTE]

Famous last words...

Hmm, Map,compas,food,let someone know where you plan on going and when you plan on being back.

**canid** · 03-15-2010, 09:52 AM

let someone know where you plan on going and when you plan on being back.

always good advice.

funny story: last time i decided to stay out fishing overnight, a friend tried to report me as a missing person. i had mentioned i would be going fishing a couple days before, and that i might stay the night, but my friend forgot.

**Theluciddreamers** · 03-15-2010, 12:02 PM

People know where I'm going. I will have a cell phone. I have a first-aid kit I take with me, and I have a compass on my flint firestarter. The don't make hand maps, but the trails have maps on them.

**hunter63** · 03-15-2010, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Famous last words...

Hmm, Map,compas,food,let someone know where you plan on going and when you plan on being back.

I agree,
Remember what happened to Gilligan on a 3 hour cruise?

**trax** · 03-15-2010, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Theluciddreamers

People know where I'm going. I will have a cell phone. I have a first-aid kit I take with me, and I have a compass on my flint firestarter. The don't make hand maps, but the trails have maps on them.

Well then, just make sure you use the facilities before you leave.

**rwc1969** · 03-15-2010, 01:55 PM

Not that ya need em but if ya want em the DNR has free topo maps for all of Michigan. I believe there's a link to the USGS which has topos for most everywhere in the country. They are somewhat dated at times, showing roads that no longer exist and such, but it can be a pretty valuable tool depending on how into the wild you are. I print em out for a specific area that I'm new to and update them by hand if needed.

It's a good way to get a more detailed overview of the lay of the land than my GPS or memory allows. It helps me get off the beaten path, and back on more easily.

**Rick** · 03-15-2010, 01:59 PM

I eat what I normally eat. I generally like to take something high energy like raisins. A couple of the individual packs is enough for me. It I feel hungry then I eat the raisins. Last minute check of weather to make certain nothing has changed.

**Ken** · 03-15-2010, 02:05 PM

If I'm heading out for a long trek in the morning, I try to stick with only carbs and coffee. Oatmeal, some fresh fruit and juice, and a cup of coffee. Makes me feel "lighter" and more awake on the trail. Once the metabolism is really churning, beef jerky, salami and cheese, peanut butter, stuff like that, is great for lunch.

**klkak** · 03-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Theluciddreamers

What do do before heading out?

Usually a just normal "do do", some times a really big one other times a rather loose one. But always to get things started I'll have a nice strong cup of coffee.

**Rick** · 03-15-2010, 02:14 PM

Where is Bear when we need him?

"I bloody hate doing it but there is still a good bit of corn left in this........."

**hunter63** · 03-15-2010, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by klkak

Usually a just normal "do do", some times a really big one other times a rather loose one. But always to get things started I'll have a nice strong cup of coffee.

Nice catch! LOL, but still.........
This is a good idea, I'm usually a morning dumper as well, make me feel "lighter" on the trail as well, but hey, if it doesn't work for you.........Remember the T.P.

**klkak** · 03-15-2010, 02:45 PM

Yes the first thing I do before heading out to anywhere in the morning is take a dump. I think thats what Ken was trying to say also.

Originally posted by Ken
and a cup of coffee. Makes me feel "lighter" and more awake on the trail

Lighter cause he ain't pack'n as much of that stuff he spreads in court and more awake cause of the caffeine.

**Sourdough** · 03-15-2010, 02:52 PM

The entire PARK is only 9/10th of a mile By 9/10ths of a mile. How lost can he get.......? He should be able, hell even an old man like me could walk through the PARK end to end in 14 minutes.

**klkak** · 03-15-2010, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sourdough

The entire PARK is only 9/10th of a mile By 9/10ths of a mile. How lost can he get.......? He should be able, hell even an old man like me could walk through the PARK end to end in 14 minutes.

Not like some of our parks.

**Ken** · 03-15-2010, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by klkak

Yes the first thing I do before heading out to anywhere in the morning is take a dump. I think thats what Ken was trying to say also.

Lighter cause he ain't pack'n as much of that stuff he spreads in court and more awake cause of the caffeine.

More coffee on the computer, Kev.