Backpacking

[BigPiney]

Backpacking season is upon us. Time to rejoice!!

I have meetings in Sacramento this week, but I am thinking of stopping in Yosemite on the way home and doing a quick overnighter, 5 miles in, then 5 out all cross country.

I just need to be home by the early afternoon as my son in on a high adventure backpacking trip over Kearsarge pass starting today. I think I can make it work.

[BigPiney]

Last year we did a 50-miler with our YM. I splurged on a Durston X-Mid2 to sleep me and Donut Jr. 35 oz total, and uses hiking poles for support. It was great. It was so light I didn't even feel guilty stuffing it into my son's pack each day.

I've thought of something similar, but having broken hiking poles in the past I have worried about relying on my not breaking a pole for shelter. The odds are against me.

[bluegoose]

Yeah, the REI deal. Still expensive, but $150 off is pretty good.

I grabbed some bike packing bags from there this weekend. Trying to get a couple of trips in next year.

[BigPiney]

Looks intriguing, but expensive. Did you find a deal?

That is incredibly light. REI?

Yeah, the REI deal. Still expensive, but $150 off is pretty good.

[Donuthole]

Last year we did a 50-miler with our YM. I splurged on a Durston X-Mid2 to sleep me and Donut Jr. 35 oz total, and uses hiking poles for support. It was great. It was so light I didn't even feel guilty stuffing it into my son's pack each day.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I just bought a new tent. This is one of the few areas where I seem to splurge. got the Big Agnes (the g is silent) tiger wall UL3.

3 man tent for under 3 lbs is awesome. Can't wait till next year to use it.

Looks intriguing, but expensive. Did you find a deal?

[bluegoose]

I just bought a new tent. This is one of the few areas where I seem to splurge. got the Big Agnes (the g is silent) tiger wall UL3.

3 man tent for under 3 lbs is awesome. Can't wait till next year to use it.

That is incredibly light. REI?

[BigPiney]

I just bought a new tent. This is one of the few areas where I seem to splurge. got the Big Agnes (the g is silent) tiger wall UL3.

3 man tent for under 3 lbs is awesome. Can't wait till next year to use it.

[Pelado]

You're assuming I'll ever go on a 8 day trip. Probably not going to happen until I retire, which is never. 3-4 days is about my max.

The first thing that should probably go is my water bladder. I think its 3L (yes, I have a large bladder) and rarely is it ever more than half empty after a long hike. Plus it takes up space in the main pouch, which is already tight with my bear canister in there.

I use a Sawyer squeeze water filter and carry an empty 3 L reservoir for dirty water. I'm not sure I could really get away with just a steripen. Most of our water up here is good, but there have been several lakes that I've been to in the last 3 years that I wouldn't want just a steripen. Last year in the marble mountains was a pretty stagnant lake with lots of silt.

I use the MSR version of the jetboil. I usually take an extra fuel canister (just in case), but this year I just took the one and I had way more than enough.

I think it really is about the food for me. I don't like to be hungry, so I bring a lot of food. Probably twice as much as I need. Adds a lot of bulk and weight. But I'd rather carry some extra weight and have a snickers in the evening than go to bed hungry.

Snickers really satisfies.

[bluegoose]

You're assuming I'll ever go on a 8 day trip. Probably not going to happen until I retire, which is never. 3-4 days is about my max.

The first thing that should probably go is my water bladder. I think its 3L (yes, I have a large bladder) and rarely is it ever more than half empty after a long hike. Plus it takes up space in the main pouch, which is already tight with my bear canister in there.

I use a Sawyer squeeze water filter and carry an empty 3 L reservoir for dirty water. I'm not sure I could really get away with just a steripen. Most of our water up here is good, but there have been several lakes that I've been to in the last 3 years that I wouldn't want just a steripen. Last year in the marble mountains was a pretty stagnant lake with lots of silt.

I use the MSR version of the jetboil. I usually take an extra fuel canister (just in case), but this year I just took the one and I had way more than enough.

I think it really is about the food for me. I don't like to be hungry, so I bring a lot of food. Probably twice as much as I need. Adds a lot of bulk and weight. But I'd rather carry some extra weight and have a snickers in the evening than go to bed hungry.

[BigPiney]

Mainly from carrying way too much water and way too much food. And i like my camp chair for hanging around in camp. Considering how much water was in the Enchantments, I could have probably gotten by with just carrying a Life Straw and drinking straight from the creek and the lakes. But I don't like stopping while hiking, so I had my camelback bladder and a couple of filled Nalgenes with me.

You need to cut weight.

I only carry 2 Nalgenes with me. No camelback. I also use a steripen, which is great for weight and space. Water is heavy. each nalgene is 2+ lbs when full. Never fill all 3 up unless you are going to go 5+ miles with no chance of water.

I am not ultralight, but I have tried to minimize weight.

Sleeping pad: 17 oz
sleeping bag: 2 lbs
Tent: 4 lbs

my backpack is heavy but super comfortable, though I am thinking of getting this one https://www.osprey.com/exos-58-exos5...gsten%2520Grey to cut about a 1 1/2 lbs

I also bring a jetboil, which is light, though I can never figure out how much fuel I will need. Brought way too much last week.

I also bring way too much food, but I still lost 5 pounds last week. Down to my lightest since I started college.

[bluegoose]

Beautiful, but why in the hell are you carrying 55 pounds? I just got back from 8 days and my pack was maybe 35.

Mainly from carrying way too much water and way too much food. And i like my camp chair for hanging around in camp. Considering how much water was in the Enchantments, I could have probably gotten by with just carrying a Life Straw and drinking straight from the creek and the lakes. But I don't like stopping while hiking, so I had my camelback bladder and a couple of filled Nalgenes with me.

[Pelado]

Beautiful, but why in the hell are you carrying 55 pounds? I just got back from 8 days and my pack was maybe 35.

More beer?

[BigPiney]

Beautiful, but why in the hell are you carrying 55 pounds? I just got back from 8 days and my pack was maybe 35.

[Northwestcoug]

Those pics look awesome BG. The enchantments were on my brother’s and my to do list before life got in the way.

Leavenworth is really fun in winter. Your wife would probably love it.