Last year, everything went according to plan: we entered the backcountry, rambled around for four days, then exited the way we came. We swam in alpine lakes, scrambled up peaks, ate well, played “pigs in a blanket” over a small campfire before bed, slept deeply, surveyed the landscape, and had a great time.
This year, we got foiled. We planned eight days of efficient travel on a stunning route, but instead spent four days sick, breathing heavily, and trekking slowly, eventually cutting the trip short due to unexpected group illness.
Goal-oriented by nature and with a particular attachment to this trip, I had a hard time letting go of original plans and settling into our new reality. But, we made it out and back safe. We got to spend time in the mountains together. All disappointment aside, every moment in the Sierra Nevada mountain range is precious, and every experience preparing for a long trip-- even if the trip doesn’t go as planned-- is a valuable learning experience in communication and packing.
Communication
Packing needs vary, depending on individual preference, and seasonal/ locational needs. For late summer in the high Sierra ranging around 10,000 feet elevation of a heavy-snowpack late-melt high-mosquito kinda year, we packed:
- We planned our big-picture trip idea and determined entry and exit points via texting and emailing about nine months before our desired trip date, to be poised and ready to strike once permits opened six months in advance of our desired trip dates. Even with such suave maneuvering, someone (likely a bot) snatched up all permits for our desired dates/ locations immediately upon permits opening. So, we changed our starting point and dates, and figured out a new plan. Always be ready to pivot-- although some pivots are easier than others!
- Group meal planning is fun! We made a spreadsheet with dates, and each person signed up for two dinners. Individuals prepared their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We took turns cooking the dinners we planned/ hauled.
- Two weeks before our trip, we held a video call to finalize our route, group gear, food, and other logistics.
- A final smattering of text exchanges the day before leaving, day of travel-- then boom! We are in the mountains hugging, stoked, and ready to roll.
Packing needs vary, depending on individual preference, and seasonal/ locational needs. For late summer in the high Sierra ranging around 10,000 feet elevation of a heavy-snowpack late-melt high-mosquito kinda year, we packed:
Pack
- 60-L pack
- Hiking poles
- Camera
Day-outfit:
- 2 quick-dry underwear (Patagonia)
- 2 quick-dry sports bras (Patagonia)
- 1 sun-shirt (Columbia)
- 1 pants (Mountain Hardwear)
- 2 ankle socks (Smartwool)
- 1 hat
- Mosquito headnet
- Bandanna
- 1 pair shoes (Altra trail-runners)
- glasses/ bag/ wipe
Night-outfit:
- 1 underlayer top (Smartwool merino)
- 1 underlayer pants (Smartwool merino)
- 1 fleece vest (Columbia)
- 1 down jacket (Patagonia)
- 1 beanie (Smartwool)
- 1 light gloves (Patagonia)
Just in case:
- 1 rain jacket
- 1 tarp-poncho
Cooking
- 1 titanium 900-mL pot & lid (Snowpeak, with husband-designed insulating-cozy)
- 1 titanium ~2 L pot & lid (Snowpeak, with husband-designed insulating-cozy)
- 1 stove (my old stove is Snowpeak/ propane. New set-up from husband: Evernew titanium alcohol stove (EBY254) with DIY aluminum windshield heat-cone)
- Bear box, or bear bag (Ursack)
- Knife, spork, lighter
- Water bag/ filter
- All the food!
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Tent
- Stuff sack (for clothing by day, for pillow by night)
- Tenacious tape (repair kit)
First aid
- Chapstick
- Sunscreen (group share)
- Bandaids
- Pine pitch salve (½ oz)
- My friend Mason carried a larger 1rst-aid kit with ace-wrap, splint, gauze, tape, ibuprofen, etc.
Miscellaneous
- Toiletries (toothbrush, mini-toothpaste, melatonin, floss, 2 mL argan oil, cut-in-half baby wipes, 2 extra hair ties)
- Compass
- Hip sack (or UL day-pack)
- journal/ pen/ watercolor mini-set/ waterbrush
- Headlamp
- Mini-towel (REI)
Parting Thoughts
A few years ago, we planned a long 10-day through-hike. It got canceled last-minute due to fire. We had spent the past month dehydrating our meals and designing our trip. The night before driving up to the Sierra, our hearts sank as we watched the air quality numbers worsening-- and decided to cancel our trip. So we stayed home, celebrating our smoke-free staycation by surfing and taking small local hikes; we slowly ate all that dehydrated food spaced across various other smaller backpacking trips.
Surprises happen. We can only try our best to prevent adversity, prepare for what we can, pivot when needed, and enjoy the journey because, as my fellow adventurer Mason reminded me as I was bemoaning this trip, “We’re here to have fun!”
So, may your adventures be fun! May you prepare well, roam light, and feel the freedom of the wild. May you embrace the mountains’ siren call, and return again and again. May the wilderness inspire all the ways you show up in this complex beautiful world. May these adventures of Body and Spirit walk far with you, carrying you home to yourself, to Nature, and to community. Have fun!
Resources
- Andrew Skurka backpacking gear list template & 3-season checklist (for experienced backpackers)
- Cleverhiker’s JMT gear list (because if you’re going to spend money on gear, then might as well be prepared to go the distance)
- REI Backpacking Checklist (for beginners)
Sierra Book-List
- “The High Sierra: A Love Story,” by Kim S. Robinson
- “My First Summer in the Sierra,” by John Muir
- More books here
