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 and crampons can be a necessity. @@1_0@@ The eleven and a half mile trip to the 14,505 foot summit and back can be treacherous and difficult  during the last four miles of the hike. Camping is permitted in some locations along the trail and there are two designated back country camping areas with access to water, restrooms, and campsites. Weather is unpredictable and can be harsh on the Mount Whitney trail, so pack and plan accordingly and don’t forget the rain gear.

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 packers and minimalists.  I will wright another post covering what I know about  ultralight backpacking.  Use this list as a basic camping guide.  The basics of food water and shelter can be assembled in millions of combinations.

The length of your backpacking adventure in distance, the number of days and nights, the altitude, the climate and potential inclement weather conditions are all considerations that need to be considered when assembling a backpacking list.

Planing ahead will help you think of potential items you would like to have with you.   You may decide to bring some non necessities  along.  I always bring a deck of cards for example.

Backpack

Backpacks come in many different shapes and sizes.  Choosing the correct pack requires you to consider what type of backpacking you will be doing.  Are you a minimalist, finding ways to live on the land and carrying as little as possible? Or will you bring everything except the kitchen sink?  Your pack must fit your body well if you are going to be comfortable on the trails.  The weight of each item must eventually be considered.  When car camping I love to have my axe with me but wouldn’t even consider bringing it in my backpack.  It is way too heavy. If your pack capacity is too large you will have the tenancy to over pack and end up with a heavy pack.  Minimalists and ultralight backpackers keep packs small and take every ounce of pack and contents into consideration. It is common for ultralight enthusiasts to remove labels, extra strap lengths and anything that is not 100% necessary.

Tent

One Man? Two Man? Bivey Sack, no tent? Your tent is your protection against the elements and the importance of shelter cannot be understated. Your backpacking tent can be one of the heaviest items in your pack.  Cost is a factor here, the lightest tents cost the most. There is a balance between price, interior space and weight.

Sleeping Pad

Bulk is the keyword in this important decision.  Sleeping pads for backpacking differ in their ability to protect you from the hard and cold ground.  i have found that if you have the correct sleeping pad, you can sleep directly on the snow with incredible comfort.  The issues here again are cost, size and weight.  If it is inflatable, you also run the risk of a leak or non-repairable puncture.  Non-inflatable foam pads provide are immune from deflation but can be incredibly bulky.  There is much home work to do in this category and luckily, many options. Size, shape and material are all factors, you can get a good backpacking sleeping pad for under a hundred dollars. Ultra light sleeping pads are usually self inflating and roll up to the size of a one liter bottle.

Sleeping Bag

Always carry a sleeping bag that is rated at least ten degrees colder than the most recent over night low temperature.  backpacking sleeping bags are not the place to skimp.  Use the best backpacking sleeping bag you can afford.  Even in summer, I carry my zero degree bag.  It is light weight and if it happens to be hot at night, I can always unzip it or sleep on top of it.  The most common complaint hikers and campers have when sleeping is being cold.  Buy a good backpacking sleeping bag, you will be glad you did. To increase the comfort and warmth of a sleeping bag, you can add a liner. Liners come in various materials and can make a huge difference.

Flashlight, Headlamp

Flashlight technology has come along way in the last few years.  I recently read about a flashlight that can recharge in ninety seconds, last for twenty three hours of ‘on’ time and be recharged more than 10,000 times. Even though it was over $150 dollars the ten year cost of ownership was lower than any other flashlight on the market because there are no batteries or any other replaceable parts. LED technology has made flashlights lighter, brighter and has increased battery life.  Cary a headlamp, a handheld flashlight and extra batteries.  There are many choices available with many cool and interesting configurations, making flashlight shopping pretty darn fun.

Trekking Poles

If you want, just wait til you are on the trail and choose a nice stick or a pair of sticks to use as trekking poles.  If you choose to buy trekking poles you will be adding weight to your load.  Choose the lightest most collapsible trekking poles.  The lightest ones are made from carbon fiber.  Non collapsible poles are burdensome because of their bulkiness.  They don’t fit in your pack and can be difficult to manage.

Clothes

Lightweight is the rule here but you must consider the weather’s worst case scenario. Don’t forget a hat, work gloves and rain gear but be conservative with clothing. Clothing is the easiest category to overpack.  Bring only what you need. Clothing is heavy, so think it through.

Knife

Bring at least two. Size and style is your own personal choice but make sure one is large enough to chop down small trees.

Rope

Some extra cordage that can hold your body weight could come in handy.

Food

Light weight, freeze dried meals.  Trail mix, nuts .

Lighter

It’s not as macho as starting a friction fire with a bow and spindle, but there is nothing like the convenience of a Bic lighter.

Matches

Strike anywhere matches kept in a waterproof container.

Flint & Steel

Maybe a little primitive but when you need a fire and all the matches are wet it can be a lifesaver.

Camera

Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.

First Aid Kit

Duh.

Hiking Boots

If the fit and are comfortable, they may not need to be broken in but don’t skimp on the quality of your socks and don’t forget the moleskin or duct tape in case of blisters.

New Polyester/Cotton socks

This could be in the tips and tricks section if I had one.  Step up on the sock quality and thank me later.

Jet Boil Cooking kit

The coolest invention for backpackers since the pocket knife.  Portable fuel and personal cooking system.

Nalgene Water Bottle

Can be replace with large Gatorade bottle.  Strip every last label off for ultralight backpacking.

Camelback 100 oz. water bladder

Hydration Pack with gate valve and bite valve.

Rain Gear

Always bring it, you never know what Mother Nature has in store.

Bear Canister

Required at some National Parks and a good idea anywhere bears are found.

Fly Rod, lightweight reel, hooks, salmon eggs, flys, lures

Backpacking is even more fun when you can catch fish along the way.

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 certainly native. My uncle taught us about camping, cooking and catching fish.  Probably some of my fondest camping memories were formed there.  Located in the Stanislaus National Forest on Highway 108 in Northern California, Sonora Pass is a great place to visit.  Fish the stream with red salmon eggs on a small hook and very little weight. Be quiet, I didn’t start catching fish there til I learned how to sneak up on a hole and stay out of plain sight.  Fish are tough to catch if you are making a lot of racket. The easily accessible fishing spots are near the 8000 ft. elevation sign. You will also a few camp sites there.  Back in the day, reservations were not needed, I doubt they are today.  I believe a fire permit is required and can be obtained at any ranger station along the route up there. If you have children, take them fishing.  I am grateful my uncle took me. This is one of my favorite fishing spots I have ever been to.

The sign at the top of the pass, pictured here, is a few miles past where the stream is next to the road.  They plant fish in the stream periodically or at least they used to. The road over the pass, HWY 108 is closed during the winter so plan accordingly.  Temperatures during the day can reach into the high 90′s with night-time lows  in the 40′s.

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 brought my water purifier because I knew there would be people on the trail that had run completely out of water. I was able to help numerous hikers on the way up and down refill their water supplies.  It always amazes me to see people on a ten hour hike with one small water bottle. Most experts recommend a person drink about three quarts of water during a day hike.  Bring as much water as you can comfortable carry.  Many experienced hikers will begin the hydration process before the hike by drinking up to three quarts of water the day before.  Dehydration is your worst enemy while on the trail.  Hike with ample water supply.  Water will be your source of energy, especially if the weather is warm. If you plan ahead and are hiking in the summer time you may be able to take a dip in the icy river that runs parallel to the trail up to half dome.  On my first solo trip up there I stopped by the side of the river and wished I had a swim suit and a towel.  On the next trip a week later I wasn’t wishing.  I had a suit and a small towel.  I swam in the icy snow run off in a section of the river that formed a deep pool.  It was the perfect rejuvenator.

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 is much less daylight to work with.  When planning the Half Dome in a day hikes, I like to hike the first two hours in the dark to beat the heat and get ahead of the crowd.  I prefer to hike in the morning hours when it is the coolest.  A lot can go wrong on a backpacking trip so an early start gives you time to solve problems and help other unprepared hikers along the way.

Hiking and backpacking can bring with it the risk of injury from slips and falls, falling rocks, blisters to feet, twisted ankles and other mechanical injuries, as well as hypothermia and heat stroke.  Hiking in darkness increases the risks of mechanical injuries and brings with it a host of new challenges. 

When planning night hikes with Boy Scouts, we would always look at the lunar phase to determine how much natural light from the moon was possible.  Cloud cover can eliminate moonlight but it is still a good practice to know if the moon is full.  A good quality headlamp is essential when backpacking at night. I also really like having trekking poles at night to help with balance and prevent falls.

Spare batteries are a must as well a spare flashlight. GPS devices really are a good idea for night hiking because it is much more likely you will lose your bearings when visual landmarks can’t be used.

Choosing the right equipment is crucial for any type of hike but it is obviously of critical importance when undertaking night hiking.  All sorts of new sights and sounds are likely to reveal themselves during night hiking activities which won’t typically be witnessed during the day. For example, nocturnal animals will be heard, and perhaps seen, and most night time hikers learn that their senses are improved due to a reduction in visibility.

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: BE PREPARED.I mention checking your tent’s rain fly because I went on a backpacking trip with my son one time and we had no rain fly when we arrived.  We had hiked three or four miles in the rain, in the dark to get to the campsite only to find out that the rain fly was not in the bag with the tent. Luckily we found adequate shelter.  I always double check the tent now, before I pack it.

I forgot to mention fire.  If bad weather comes you still may need a way to start a fire so think about it. What does that mean? Waterproof matches immediately come to mind.  I have been carrying fire starter sticks for years and have never used them.  Basically I think they are made from the same stuff as Presto Logs: wax and sawdust.  But if I ever needed them to help start a fire in a rain storm I would be glad I have them. I gave my son a small torch that runs off a butane lighter.  It would come in handy in wet situations, I’m sure. A flint and steel are another necessity on the trail because they are almost indestructible and are small enough to carry as a backup to any other fire starting methods you may be bringing.

Each year it seems that I hear of climbers that get caught in the first snow storm of the year.  If you are going out in the fall, use every precaution to be prepared for the weather.  A few years ago two climbers died on the face of El Capitan when a sudden snow storm caught them by surprise.  Rescue was not possible because of their location and the bad weather.  They both froze to death.

Another danger that can accompany bad weather is lightning. Lightning, like climbers, likes high places. If you can’t avoid being in a lightning storm, stay away from trees and don’t use a tent with metal poles. Put your trekking poles away and find low lying shelter away from creek and riverbeds.

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 a little worried that it would spoil because it was hot outside and it was heavy.  When I finally did get the taco meat out of my bear container I was surprised to find out that it was still very cold (remember I froze it).  It was fantastic to eat a hot meal and believe me it was a hit. But taco’s for two won’t be backpacking with me again. Backpacking food needs to be lightweight.

I like to bring nuts. They are one of the most calorie-packed foods you can take. That means less weight to carry. Nuts have lots of protein and other nutritional benefits and are one of the best backpacking foods.

Ramen noodles make great backing food.  They are easy to prepare, fill you up and are lightweight.

Don’t forget trail mix with nuts, raisins and other dried fruit.  Supplying protein and carbohydrates, trail mix has been a backpacking favorite of many a hiker.

Freeze dried packaged meals like the Mountain House Chicken a la King pictured here is a treat on the trail.  Hot meals on cold hikes can lift your spirits and cook right in the pouch, just add hot water.

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 shoes that I wore on my first backpacking trip were my next biggest mistake.  I chose to wear skateboarding type sneakers. They are very comfortable for daily street use but were very inadequate for the purpose of backpacking.  They provided zero support and limited traction for traversing rocks and trails. Unlike sneakers, hiking boots can withstand the wear and tear of walking on abrasive granite. My backpack, which I estimate at over forty pounds, put enormous additional strain on my feet and ankles.  Quality hiking boots provide great foot protection, ample ankle support, great traction, grip on slippery surfaces and some are made with gortex and are waterproof.  Some people say new boots need to be broke in before setting out on a long backpacking trip but if they are comfortable and they fit right they will be better than sneakers.

“Breaking-in” is a myth – if they’re not comfortable now, they’ll never be

Wear ½ size larger – to prevent your toes from hitting the toe box of the shoe/boot as you descend

Wool/Polyester blend socks – will enhance foot comfort and wick moisture away to prevent blisters. That being said, this is good place to mention mole skin.  Even comfortable, well broken in boots can give you blisters.  Mole skin is an adhesive application that you put on a blister to protect it and ease pain.  Comfortable, worn in boots and new socks would be the best combination with mole skin in the first aide kit.

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 recommend drinking about a half a liter of water per mile, and more if going uphill or if hiking in hot weather.  I still remember the countless people on the trail to Half Dome that were short on water.  I carried a Camelback bladder in my pack and an additional one liter bottle.

Keep drinking water

My purifier came in handy as well.  Boiling water to purify it is an acceptable method but it takes a lot of time, especially if you need to start a fire, boil the water and then put the fire out. I was able to replenish my own supply as well as a several strangers that had completely run out of water using my purifier pump.  I think the purifier was one of the most useful items I brought on the trip. And one of the few things I happened to get right.  Cary as much water as you can comfortable carry.  Each liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs. Always top off your water containers before you start out and whenever you have the opportunity. As a rule, you should never pass up the opportunity to fill up your water supply. Always fill your containers when you have the chance. This can’t be overstated. It’s better to add a little weight to your backpack to prevent running out of water.  I don’t recommend store bought water bottles.  Buy and carry high quality water containers.  Most backpacks have side pockets designed for carrying water bottles and carelessly dropping your pack or a a minor slip and fall could bust open a single-use type water bottle.  I prefer to carry two types: One Nalgene one-liter bottle carried in the side pocket of my pack, and a camelback style bladder with a drinking tube.  Nalgene is a water bottle manufacturer, they produce high quality reusable water bottles and Camelback makes backpacks with re-usable water bladders built in. The interchangeable bladders come in several sizes, I carry the 100 ounce model.  The tube has a bite valve on the end for direct water delivery into your mouth.  When choosing a hydration pack look for a bite valve that also has a gate valve integrated into it.  The gate valve enables you to cut the water supply to the bite valve.  Turning the gate valve off while walking prevents water from leaking out of the bite valve.   With the bladder in the backpack and the hydration pack drinking tube accessible, water can be consumed along the consistently without stopping.  The side pocket with the one liter Nalgene bottle comes in handy for other uses like cooking or situations where poring is necessary. The downside to the Nalgene bottles are the weight.  Some ultra light backpacking supporters would never carry something so heavy.  An empty Gatorade or other one time use bottle stripped of all labels would be the preference of where an ultra light backpack is the goal.

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 in Yosemite Valley. For your own protection, the bear vault is recommended on any backpacking venture in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and anywhere bears are native.  Bears are unable to open the bear vaults but this doesn’t mean they can’t smell the food inside.  It is a good idea to bring rope to hang your food out of the reach of bears while sleeping. Keeping in mind that bears are smart and may try to break the tree down to get your food.

One small issue with bear lockers are their size.  Remember, all of you food must fit inside.  Purchasing one that is too small will require you to either take less food or keep some of what you take elsewhere in your backpack.  On the flip side, buy a bear locker too large and it won’t fit in your pack.  I suppose the length of the trip would have something to do with the size of the container. Larger bear lockers for longer trips.

Backpacking requires planning and proper equipment selection