Any backpackers here?

[jahilia]

I'm going on my first backpacking trip this weekend (Yosemite ) and was wondering if any one here has any tips or suggestions on what to take/not to take.

Also...does anyone have any suggestions for fun camping games?

[owl]

Sure, I just got back from two weeks in Alaska, and I've done trips in the Everglades (not exactly backpacking, but canoeing kind of counts if it's 50 miles!).

 

Here's a list that I made for my friends before we went:

 

Obviously, it's not all essential. I tried to keep

nonessential items at low places in each category. Keep weight in

mind. Food and water weighs the most by far. (I also read that we

should avoid pungent, spicy, smoky, or smelly foods.) Clothes tend to

weigh very little. Stoves, tents, Iodine tabs should be covered

between Andy and me. I'm still going to have to visit EMS or another

camping place before the trip, for sure, to check out water-resistant

clothes. Reply with any suggestions.

 

Also- these are mostly standard items, so extra consideration should

be given for the location.

 

Loper

 

1) Nalgene bottle (2-3)

 

2) Food

-Bear resistant food container 8x12, 3 lbs.

-Ziplock bags

-Zatarain's Rice

-Pitas

-PB&J

-Oatmeal

-Powerbars/Protein bars for after exercize/snack food

-Cheese

-Vitamins

-Coffee/tea

 

3) Light first aid kit

-Iodine tabs/water filter/prepare to boil water

-Bandages/band aids

-Moleskin for blisters

-Ointment

-Aspirin/Advil

-Mosquito repellent/coils

-Sunblock

 

4) Standard camping gear

-Heavy trash bags (4+)

-Map

-Compass (GPS?)

-Stove

-Mess kit

-Lighter (2)

-Headlamp & batteries

-TP (2-3 rolls)

-Carabiner (2-4)

 

5) Sleeping gear-

-Tent (2/3 people should have tents)

-Sleeping bag

-Sleeping pad

 

6) Clothes-

-Boots, waterproof/water resistant, broken-in

-Water-resistant (wool) longsleeve shirt (2-3)

-Jeans/long pants

-Rain jacket & pants

-Long underwear - shirt & pants (2)

-Socks, wool, regular, many pairs

-Sandals

-Undershirts/t-shirts

-Hat, knit or otherwise

-Shorts

 

7) Other clothes

-Small backpack for flight, etc.

-Extra clothes to keep in the car for when we leave or other times we

might visit the car.

 

7) Misc.

-Camera

-Binoculars

[Skian]

For sure take water. Take your backpack too. You'll be able to carry more stuff.

You might also want to take some Big Sur Bars. If you don't have any,zip thru the park down Tioga Pass to the town of Lee Vining (enjoy the view of Mono Lake) go to the Mono Market. You can buy some Big Sur Bars there. I just delivered some there yesterday.

[jahilia]

Cool pics! And thanks for the suggestions. We're not bring a stove, and I didn't want to take dehydrated food, so the food suggestions were very helpful. I wasn't sure if cheese would be okay to eat after hiking in the sun all day, but I'll give it a try.

I've never had a Big Sur bar, but they sell them here at the Trader Joe's, so I'll pick some of those up too.

[Skian]

Please let me know if you can by the Big Sur Bars at Trader Joes.

Which town/store would that be?

[jahilia]

Which town/store would that be?

 

Santa Cruz. I'm sure I've seen them at the Trader Joe's downtown.

We're off, thanks for the advice...

[owl]

Cool pics! And thanks for the suggestions. We're not bring a stove, and I didn't want to take dehydrated food, so the food suggestions were very helpful. I wasn't sure if cheese would be okay to eat after hiking in the sun all day, but I'll give it a try.

I've never had a Big Sur bar, but they sell them here at the Trader Joe's, so I'll pick some of those up too.

 

The cheese should be alright, but it's typically good to eat that kind of thing quickly. Stoves are always good, in my opinion, and if you get a small one, it's hardly a burden. I'd take one. Freeze dried meals are iffy, but Mountain House brand is decent. Also, Ramen isn't a bad choice, either. It's lightweight and easy to cook. Have fun! If you need supplies, www.campmor.com is a pretty god site. I ordered some things from them before my AK trip, like super strong mosquito repellent!