Post by neneboricua on Dec 8, 2015 18:53:11 GMT -8
Hi everyone,
I'm new to backpacking. I've been car camping before, but I've only been on 3 backpacking trips so far but really liking it. It is fast becoming a favorite activity. I live in the San Diego area so most of my trips have been in SoCal.
I've been a competitive cyclist for a number of years, and played a lot of basketball growing up, so in general my fitness is good, but my experience and knowledge of backpacking in is more on the beginner side. Looking forward to learning more and exploring further afield.
The main things that draw me towards backpacking are the same ones that drew me towards cycling; the opportunity to enjoy parts of nature that most people rarely get a chance to see, and the ability to get a very good workout out of it at the same time.
Also.... I like gear.... There. I've said it. Backpacking backpacks should include a warning along the lines of "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..."
The 3 trips I've done are
1. Grand Canyon South Rim - 3 days/2 nights on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails to the bottom and back. First backpacking trip ever. My wife and I did it with a professional guide from Pygmy Guides and one other couple. Great experience and it got me hooked.
2. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - 3 days/2 nights. I planned this one alone and took two brave friends with me. We didn't die!! Actually, no major issues and very fun.
3. Mt San Jacinto Peak (aborted) - 2 days/1 night. Was meant to be a 2 night outing but the weather forecast straight up lied. Was expecting temperatures in the low 50's overnight and it actually turned out to be in the high 30's. Was not prepared for it and had a horrible night. We decided to head back early. Lesson learned. Did a car camping trip a few weeks later where the forecast said temperatures would be in the mid 30's overnight, so I took 0 degree sleeping bags, fleece and down jackets, softshell pants, waterproof boots/gloves/jacket, etc... Slept nice and warm
I've learned a few major things so far.
- I can carry a pretty big pack even though I'm on the small side (36 years old, 5'8", 145lbs)
- I want to range further from drive-in campsites to more remote areas.
- I have difficulty carrying enough water for 3 days when I'm not in range of an established campsite for resupply.
- Even though I can endure long miles with a heavy pack (cycling at a high level has taught me how to suffer), I would still prefer to carry less weight and be able to hike to more remote places while not having to dig into my "suitcase of courage".
- When my wife is with me, I carry absolutely everything I can in order to lighten her load. She only carries her sleeping bag, pad, pillow, clothes, some water and a few snacks. I carry everything else. But she still feels her pack is too heavy, so I'm on a quest to lighten both of our loads.
Been reading lots of blogs and forums and advice on backpacking and one thing I haven't been able to figure out yet, is how do people take extended trips in the backcountry without carrying a literal ton of water? This would go a long way to lightening our packs. Everywhere I've researched doing backpacking trips in the SoCal area, there is no water available other than at established campgrounds, and even some of those are dry at different times of year. So I feel restricted to never being too far from a camp ground and feel like I have no alternative but to carry a 10 liter MSR Dromedary bag for drinking, cooking, cleanup, etc... Is it just that other areas of the country have abundant streams never more than a couple of hours away to filter water from?
Looking forward to learning more
I'm new to backpacking. I've been car camping before, but I've only been on 3 backpacking trips so far but really liking it. It is fast becoming a favorite activity. I live in the San Diego area so most of my trips have been in SoCal.
I've been a competitive cyclist for a number of years, and played a lot of basketball growing up, so in general my fitness is good, but my experience and knowledge of backpacking in is more on the beginner side. Looking forward to learning more and exploring further afield.
The main things that draw me towards backpacking are the same ones that drew me towards cycling; the opportunity to enjoy parts of nature that most people rarely get a chance to see, and the ability to get a very good workout out of it at the same time.
Also.... I like gear.... There. I've said it. Backpacking backpacks should include a warning along the lines of "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..."
The 3 trips I've done are
1. Grand Canyon South Rim - 3 days/2 nights on the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails to the bottom and back. First backpacking trip ever. My wife and I did it with a professional guide from Pygmy Guides and one other couple. Great experience and it got me hooked.
2. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park - 3 days/2 nights. I planned this one alone and took two brave friends with me. We didn't die!! Actually, no major issues and very fun.
3. Mt San Jacinto Peak (aborted) - 2 days/1 night. Was meant to be a 2 night outing but the weather forecast straight up lied. Was expecting temperatures in the low 50's overnight and it actually turned out to be in the high 30's. Was not prepared for it and had a horrible night. We decided to head back early. Lesson learned. Did a car camping trip a few weeks later where the forecast said temperatures would be in the mid 30's overnight, so I took 0 degree sleeping bags, fleece and down jackets, softshell pants, waterproof boots/gloves/jacket, etc... Slept nice and warm
I've learned a few major things so far.
- I can carry a pretty big pack even though I'm on the small side (36 years old, 5'8", 145lbs)
- I want to range further from drive-in campsites to more remote areas.
- I have difficulty carrying enough water for 3 days when I'm not in range of an established campsite for resupply.
- Even though I can endure long miles with a heavy pack (cycling at a high level has taught me how to suffer), I would still prefer to carry less weight and be able to hike to more remote places while not having to dig into my "suitcase of courage".
- When my wife is with me, I carry absolutely everything I can in order to lighten her load. She only carries her sleeping bag, pad, pillow, clothes, some water and a few snacks. I carry everything else. But she still feels her pack is too heavy, so I'm on a quest to lighten both of our loads.
Been reading lots of blogs and forums and advice on backpacking and one thing I haven't been able to figure out yet, is how do people take extended trips in the backcountry without carrying a literal ton of water? This would go a long way to lightening our packs. Everywhere I've researched doing backpacking trips in the SoCal area, there is no water available other than at established campgrounds, and even some of those are dry at different times of year. So I feel restricted to never being too far from a camp ground and feel like I have no alternative but to carry a 10 liter MSR Dromedary bag for drinking, cooking, cleanup, etc... Is it just that other areas of the country have abundant streams never more than a couple of hours away to filter water from?
Looking forward to learning more