They convened at the Delaware Water Gap, he said, and over the next three days, the New York City insurance company worker walked 40 miles with 45 pounds on his back through the best terrain that New Jersey has to offer.
He learned about packs and boots and bears, and how through-hikers mail supplies ahead of themselves from post office to post office. He jammed on the trail with a small guitar, and slept on fire towers that provided spectacular views of the starlight.
"It was the experience of a lifetime," he said. "It was great exercise. And the fatigue, the challenge, the aloneness, the ability to think quietly, the rhythm, the body awareness ... It was really amazing."
Mann hasn’t hit the trail since that Appalachian adventure, but he does plan to get there soon. For a generation that grew up before cable and iPads and smartphones, it’s important, he said.
"[When we were kids], we had a bike, and we had the woods," he said. "Now that I’m an adult, I’m stuck in the rat race, but I felt that it was about getting back to the egg — that kind of thing. Back to a simpler time."
Backpacking, he’s found, is just what the doctor ordered.
Why backpacking?
Although the idea of forging out into the wilderness might not thrill everyone, in reality, there are a number of things that draw people to backpacking, said Russell Rayot, manager of Campmor in Paramus.
Some want to be pretend they’re Daniel Boone, cutting a new trail through the unexplored forest, while others, like Mann, just want to get away from the city for a few days. Rayot is more competitive, and enjoys putting an edge on each of his hikes, always pressing for a faster time or a new peak. His wife, however, enjoys the birdwatching aspect, and carries a small book with her to identify each species.
"We’re doing it together, but it’s for a different reason," he said.
One thing is certain: stepping out on a trailhead with a pack and little else is more daring than sitting at a private site with a car right next to you.
"You’re going out to explore on your own," he said. "It’s more of an adventure."
What to bring, what to leave
Prospective backpackers, Rayot said, first must have a decent pack. Either an internal or external frame is fine, but a bookbag-type that loads up the shoulders and doesn’t have a waist strap will cause soreness and "hotspots" – patches where the skin is rubbed raw by friction – that can lead to blisters.
A good three-season tent will suffice for most trips, and sleeping bags are rated according to temperature and material, each of which has its up and downs: a heavier bag will probably be warmer, but it adds extra weight to your pack. One made of down feathers instead of synthetic fibers will be lighter, but it’s also more expensive and holds no heat when it’s wet.
But, Rayot said, new backpackers can find a good mix without breaking the bank — or their back.
"The lighter [the pack] is, the more enjoyable it is," he said.
One pro-tip: Always lay in a sleeping bag before you buy it. It’s like picking a mattress — there’s no other way to see how it feels.
A sleeping pad, which goes under the bag and separates the camper from the ground, is equally important; although kids can often sleep on yoga mats and be comfortable, Rayot said, adults need more restorative rest when hiking. If you’re going to splurge on a certain thing, this is it.
"Getting a good night’s rest is key, and if you [sleep well] you’ll probably have a better attitude towards the camping," he said.
Bladders or bottles can be used to carry water on short trips, and a water filter, which cleans out the harmful bacteria often found in U.S. waterways, allows hikers to drink from nearly any river.
Rayot noted that a first-timer should only be going a mile or two into the woods to see if their equipment – and their body – works as intended. To ensure the latter, he recommended "training hikes" with a partially weighted pack to get used to the feel of weight on one’s back
"The more you prepare, the more you’re going to enjoy your trip," he said. "Try to find a local area where you’re trying everything out, so you can get out if you find it’s too heavy. You’ll be away from civilization, but not so far out that you’re stuck."
One thing that can stay home? The extra clothes. One pair of pants, one shirt, and one pair of socks is enough.
"Most people are bringing two or three changes of clothes like they’re going on vacation, but in reality, they’re probably never going to use that," he said.
Also, cotton kills, he said, and clothes should be made of something that will wick moisture away from the skin, like wool or some type of synthetic. That means no jeans, sweatpants, or regular t-shirts.
Eating on the trail
The days of awful camp food are long gone, Rayot said, and now, hikers’ dinners are limited only by a person’s imagination.
Hard cheeses and pepperoni work, as does the old standby of Ramen noodles, and macaroni and cheese can be a filling lunch or dinner.
A plethora of freeze-dried meals also await, and store shelves are lined with just-add-water mixes such as Cajun chicken and rice, fettuccini alfredo, and mocha mousse pie. Some inventive Boy Scouts have mixed their hot chocolate with their oatmeal to create a warm, chocolatey cereal blend, and Rayot has even brought a Cornish hen and cooked it on a rotisserie over an open fire.
"It’s what you prefer," he said. "You can do a lot out there for two or three days."
Email: janoski@northjersey.com
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