I am looking into getting camping equipment and doing so long term hiking. Haven't been camping in years. How would test my equipment if I live in the city? I would be hiking solo across the USA, How much should I need for such an endeavor?
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2Is there someplace fairly close where you can take several weekend hikes?– ab2Nov 26, 2017 at 23:59
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4If you haven't camped in years, don't own any equipment, don't know what equipment you need, and don't know how to test it, then your initial goal should NOT be an 8000-km transcontinental solo trek. There's no harm in having it as a long-term ambition, but you need to start with simple, safe day hikes and work up gradually from there.– PontNov 27, 2017 at 8:02
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I live in the city; to prepare for my Sierra backpacking trips I jam all my gear in my pack and take off walking, increasing distance as my endurance increases. I stop and eat lunch from my pack, using the actual gear. I pitch my tent in the yard at home when I get back (you can do this indoors) and sleep in it. I make dinner using my stove (careful with this indoors) and eating actual dehydrated meals.
This helps me me find and fix all types of issues with my gear (pack, how I pack it, ease of use, meals I like, etc.)
Most importantly it helps me determine which things I really don't need to bring, to save on weight.
