Hiking into the back country wearing a boot without cleats and leather uppers is much easier on my feet,as the difference in weight alone will let you hike much farther in a day.Nike or Technica is a good brand to wear in the backcountry.Cleated boots tear up the terrain as they are always digging into the soil.Make sure when you try on a pair of shoes,you are wearing the kinds of socks that you will hike in.

A thin poly liner sock under a heavier sock helps keep the feet blister free.Believe me,I have had my share of blisters from letting my feet get wet and not changing my socks when the feet do get wet.

Most experienced hikers change socks around noon time,to keep the blister problem at a minimum.A good healing compound is called Spenco's Second Skin which reduce the pain and helps speed up the healing process.

Don't ruin the whole trip by taking off the day you arrive at the trail head,instead stay the night and let your body acclimatize to the altitude,and let the body generate more red blood cells.

The first day you should travel no more than 5 miles followed by a rest day.This will help your body parts function better for the remaining trip.Walk at your own pace,usually ten miles a day is normal.Stop and rest several times an hour,rest your pack up against a rock and drink a couple swallows of water then continue on.

Use the trails and don't cut across switchbacks,as I have seen many signs of this from pack animals and human.The trails were designed for the snow melt.when you cut straight down the hill the snow melt or rain run off cuts a gouge that gets deeper and deeper as time goes on.and will take centuries to heal.

When you see rocks piled up,fire rings or forts,knock them down and scatter fire rings.

When backpacking buy a good external frame with a one piece waist belt.The frame carries the load slightly away from the back which means pots and fuel bottles aren't jabbing into the back.

The frame is invaluable as you can tie shoes or fish tubes to itand it holds the pack in an upright position and open for easy access.

Don't buy a frameless backpack as it is like throwing a gunnysack over your back,sweaty and very cumbersome.

When you are carrying a pack most of the weight should ride on the hips rather than shoulders.Your heavy gear should be loaded near the bottom of pack lower it's center of gravity and reduce top heavyness.

Always wear a brimmed hat,I prefer the wide billed hat which keeps the sun from sneaking behind your glasses,with a floppy side to protect your ears and back brim.

Always pack rain gear that is ventilated,waterproof.Buy coat and pants,ponchos leak.Carry the rain coat at the top of pack for easy access.

Sleeping bags come in all shapes and forms but the ones I like are polyester and dacron filled.

The best sleeping bag will be neutralized without some sort of padding.A pad helps keep those rocks and pine cones from poking you and helps keep you warmer.Thermo rests are open celled slabs of foam encased in nylon.

If you are using a tent,the four season mountain tent such as North face are heavy,expensive and hard to beat.

Or you could rent a cabin from the forest service,maybe like the one in the photo but finished of course.I have stayed in many cabins in my life and there is nothing like cooking on a wood stove,smelling bacon and eggs and don't forget the coffee.The crackle of the fire after a long hike will surely put one to sleep.

When cooking,DO NOT COOK OVER A COZY LITTLE CAMP FIRE,a camp fire seems like a simple little thing but the effects from the burn will scar that spot for centuries and kill any living plant under it.

Butane stoves are great but suffer at high altitude and cold conditions.The best stove is a white gas variety,but don't forget the matches..All you need to eat out of is a large insulated plastic mug with handle.It will be your cup,plate,bowl.Buy a small cooking pot with a copper bottom.Spoons are useful as you can do almost anything a fork can do.Don't forget a hand towel and cloth bandanna.

When I stop at a stream to drink I just get down on my belly and drink from the stream.What about Giardia?Usually the high country is not contaminated with the pathogen.I have never gotten sick from drinking high country water.

The best way to treat water is by boiling at 212* F.Chemicals take to long to kill bugs,something like 8 hours.

Pack some immodium in case you get diarrhea.

Drink plenty of water,you will have to pee at least once every couple hours.

The dry air saps moisture from your lungs at an incredible rate.So drink plenty of water or you can get leg cramps,and believe me you will not be able to walk until you replenish body moistures.

Back packing food is any thing you want to eat,but the ideal foods are lots of carbohydrates,protein,fat which are ull of calories,be non perishable and weightless.

You can keep the cost down by packing macaroni,and top ramen,which are light and satisfying.You will want to ignore the rule of eating non fat food up there.

Salami,cheese,nuts and granola bars are great to snack on while hiking.As a rule you shouldn't stop for lunch but eat as you go several times a day.Chew gum to keep the mouth moist and trail dust out.

Of course you will carry a flashlight,toiletries,and a solar shower.I never go back packing for a week without a solar shower.It beats getting into a freezing stream and to wash,also keeps soap from entering the eco-system and killing fish and bugs.

Camping at least 100 feet from water is a good bet,as it gets you away from mosquitoes and doesn't wear the soil near water away.Do not camp where other people can see you as this will ruin their stay and yours too.

When you leave for the next days trip,take all your trash with you.If you made a fire,scatter all the ash and turn the charred rocks upside down,scatter some dirt and pine cones over your tent spot.Double check for items you forgot to pick up.

Do not forget your topo map so you can identify peaks.It isn't fun getting lost in the forest.

Bury your feces and toilet paper under several inche of dirt,then cover with logs or rocks.

Have a nice hike and respect mother natures treasures...