Hi, I just joined today, and thought I'd tell ya'll a little about why I'm here. I have just recently discovered my love/respect for the outdoors. First off, I'm 27, and from Texas. I figure I better give ya'll some of my history, as it might be important in climbing. In may, 1990, I was in a severe car/train accident, that killed my little brother and a family friend, and hospitalized me for 91 days with a severe frontal lobe injury, when the paramedics found me I had no pulse, or heartbeat, I was comatose for over a week, and had to learn to do everything all over again, ever since then, I've suffered from depression, and survivors guilt. I've been to therapists since I was 7, and just fairly recently found one that works. In the 5th grade, I started having complex partial seizures, but I have gotten them under control now, so now after a long battle with depression, and multiple other medical issues, I finally seem to have them under control, and I'm trying to get back to the gym like I was(5 days a week, rain or shine.) The closest to actual mountain climbing, that I've actually done, was a 2.6 mile hike, in the smokies, so I need someone who can give me some pointers. Where would be the best place for me to start?

Welcome to Summit Post. This can be a great place to find information about possible hikes and rock climbs at every level in an area near you. I'm not familiar with the smokies, but I trust there are people on SP that are more familiar with great hikes in the area.

The FAQs page has info about how to use Summit Post...so check that out: http://www.summitpost.org/faq

Also, you'll notice on the SP main page the blue toolbar has lots of options for you to do searches under to find just the right information for you.

As for getting started with hiking (on-trail)...here are a few tips

1. go with someone you enjoy being around!
2. wear a comfortable pair of shoes
3. tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
4. bring some things with you, like the 10 Essentials (and learn how to use them) http://www.northshorerescue.com/whattobring.html

Check out this website for some helpful info: http://www.backpacker.com/

Or check out this book , it has some helpful tips in it as well

That's a start...
cheers!

Thanx for the tips, I have been researching on survival websites, for a pretty good while now, I just never have really gotten a chance to "rough it." I eventually want to be able to survive with just a knife.

Start with hiking/Backpacking and as Joe mentioned find someone you would like to go with and try a few overnighters. You will need gear and I suggest you buy Ray Jadine's - Beyond Backpacking (New version called Trail Life). As far as Hiking and backpacking go it's the Holy Bible.

Ray's website: www.rayjardine.com

I've been hiking, backpacking and scrambling my whole life. I have never tired of it and I can think of nothing better to do with my time. Enjoy it and welcome.

Try a 2.7 mile hike next

Joking aside, you are better off just doing something instead of overly worrying about how to do it. Don't worry about getting in shape, buying gear, or reading books - find some time, find somewhere interesting, and just go. The next time you go, try to go farther or do something harder.

For me, I always start with a place I want to go or activity I want to do and learn the skills I need, rather than the other way around.

If you do want to be able to literally survive with just a knife, you have some problems. You need to learn to provide (or do without) shelter, fire and water - this is much harder than you think. Better to carry a lighter, tent, water bottle and backpack unless you really have your heart set on this.

Good tips from other folks, and welcome to SP. A number of us have disabilities related to central nervous system damage, whether brain or spinal cord. There are folks out there with paraplegia and quadriplegia who have climbed big walls (El Capitan and Half Dome). I know a guy who uses forearm crutches to get around -- he's done the length of the Tahoe Rim Trail as a series of dayhikes.

So basically you have no excuse not to get out there and pursue your dreams

hippyman wrote:Thanx for the tips, I have been researching on survival websites, for a pretty good while now, I just never have really gotten a chance to "rough it." I eventually want to be able to survive with just a knife.

Lots of folks in Boston used to survive quite well with just a knife, but these days you really need a gun.