Mount Whitney Trail, in the Sequoia National Forest, is one of the most rewarding backpacking trips in California for experienced cold weather backpacking enthusiasts. Backpacking the Mount Whitney Trail is allowed by permit only.  Permits can be a little bit difficult to obtain, especially during the summer months because throughout most of the year, the peak is covered in ice and snow.  Ice picks [...]

Backpacking Packing List Backpacking Supplies If you are going to go backpacking it is a good idea to plan your trip by making a list of the things you will be carrying in your backpack. Listed here are the basics and a few of my personal favorites. This is by no means a complete list but intended as a framework to build upon. There will be considerable controversy over this list from ultralight [...]

When I was a kid, my uncle Flip would take my cousin and me to Sonora Pass.  We would camp and fish along the stream, shoot BB guns and hike the trails in and around Dead Man's Creek.  My cousin and I got really good at catching the trout out of the stream.  They were mostly planted fish but as we got older we would hike down where it wasn't too easy to get to, and catch Brook Trout that were most [...]

Making the hike on the Mist Trail to Half Dome from the Yosemite Valley floor is a great experience.  I estimate the journey takes between nine and eleven hours round trip.  I had the pleasure of doing this hike twice in the same week.  Armed with the right boots, socks, backpack, water supply and food I was able to really enjoy the amazing beauty that the Yosemite Valley is famous for.  I also [...]

If you backpack enough there will be plenty of times when you must hike past dark or even begin hiking before it gets light.  Hiking at night is a benefit in many situations so it is a good idea to consider what you will need to be prepared.  Hiking without the sun beating down on you in the summer months can energize you and prevent heat stroke.  In the winter, daylight hours are minimal so there [...]

If you are going outdoors you need to be prepared for the weather.  Carry rain gear, for yourself and your backpack, wear waterproof boots, make sure your rain fly is in with your tent.  Think through your whole backpacking route, plan for it to be raining every step of the way.  Then if the rain doesn't come you will be more than prepared.  The boy scout motto is a good one for anyone going backpacking: [...]

The first time I packed for a backpacking trip I froze taco meat and put it in the bottom of my bear container followed by flour tortillas and then the rest of my food. Our scout leader had us pair up for meal perpetration which I didn't like.  I like being in charge of my own stuff. Counting on someone else for one of my meals meant that I had to carry my taco meat til the end of day two.  I was [...]

It's funny, when I took this picture of my boot I was trying to capture the angle of the ascent of the last few hundred yards to the top of Half Dome.  The camera is fairly level and you can just make out the ground below.  Without proper footwear, you put yourself in harms way on this trail.  In my case, these boots are very comfortable and give me a good bit of confidence on the granite. The [...]

Hydration sources while backpacking Water is of vital importance to consider.  I consider it the most important.  How much should I carry? How Will I carry it? Will there be places to refill? If so will the water be safe to drink?  If not, how do I purify it? On our Yosemite trip we were told to carry at least 100 ounces of water and bring a filter to purify and resupply from river sources.  I [...]

Backpacking to Half Dome The route was to be from Glacier Point to the top of Half Dome via the Panorama Trail.  We planned for the trip to take three days and two nights.  It was required by the hiking permit issued by the state park that all food must be enclosed in bear proof containers or bear vaults.  These can be purchased at a camping supply stores like REI or rented from the permit office [...]