Hi fellow hikers!
Today’s post is timely as we plan our first group backpacking trek (and this chick’s first ever backpacking trip). I put the call out for a fellow hiker to be our first featured hiker and answer some questions about backpacking.
Enter Tina. Tina is an experienced hiker, backpacker, kayaker, and all-around outdoorsy Oregonian…basically my soul-model! Let’s get to it. 🙂
Q: What’s on your backpacking list?
- My 10 essentials for every hike: map, flashlight, compass, sunscreen, first aid, fire starter, knife, food, extra clothing, water. My first aid kit contains Band-Aid’s, alcohol wipes, burn cream, and a wrap.
- Backpack from REI (I think Flash 50)
- Ultralight Marmot sleeping bag 20 F.Ultra light down blanket
- Sleeping pad-Therm-a rest trail scout
- GSI outdoor pinnacle dualist cooking set (love)/fuel/stove
- Coffee press (must have)
- Food: My food for the trip and “extra food” are different I always pack protein bars for emergency and food for the day or days
- Water
- Rope (to hang food)
- Extra bags for garbage (leave no trace)
- Lantern (mini backpack lantern)
- Raingear
- Toilet paper, or as my dad calls it “mountain money”
Q: What is a typical meal plan?
A:Â There are many different food options for the backcountry now. Sometimes my husband and I get creative and create our own vacuum sealed meal, or buy mountain house prepared meals. We usually stick to oatmeal for breakfast being it keeps you full and provides energy and snack type foods for lunch example
Day 1.
- Travel to trail head
- Lunch = fruit, cheese, crackers, salami
- Snack = granola bar
- Dinner = chicken pesto pasta (noodles, chicken pack, pesto, olive oil)
Day 2.
- Breakfast = Oatmeal
- Lunch = dried fruit, PB&J tortilla roll up
- Dinner = mountain house chili mac
Day 3.
- Breakfast = Oatmeal
Q:Â How do you pick your trail?
A:Â Usually distance, weather or not there is a lake, and population.
Q:Â What is your favorite trail?
A:Â For a quick overnighter Pamelia or Marion lake are my favorite but there becoming pretty popular. My all time favorite backpacking trip was Anthony lakes trail. The trail was 8 miles total we hiked 5 then were suppose to veer off to another trail that led to a lake 1 mile away but we hit unexpected snow and ended up camping on a dry spot closest to the trial. The next morning we woke up with a beautiful sunrise glistening off the snow and mountain goat tracks around our tent. We hiked the remaining 4 miles and hardest part of the trail back to our vehicle the next day.
Q: What are 5 things you’ve learned that you didn’t know before?
- Never expect anything always be prepared. We have come across a couple different snow packed trails in the middle of the summer that were unexpected. Plus, you can always get stuck in a storm, ect…
- Not packing too much crap. Research what gear to buy and how to pack. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on the top brand gear but when you can invest in ultralight gear it makes a world of difference. My first trip not knowing I was packing about 60 lbs. which is heavy for backpacking, now I pack in between 25-35.
- Stay on the trail–no brainer right? Sometimes you get too confident and decide to go for it, and then realize you made a mistake
- Add moleskin to your first aid kit, it’s great for blisters. I’ve even used them for cuts and bug bites too.
- Being in the wilderness is therapy. Let it go, breath in the air, and enjoy!
Thanks, Tina! Happy backpacking!
Chicks who Hike 