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Gear list: 3 season Backpacking (Overnight)

Gear list: 3 season Backpacking (Overnight)

This is a list of my 3-season gear for overnight backpacking trips in the Washington Cascades. I threw it together quickly for my upcoming trip so I may change/add to this list in the coming week. Its light enough for me to quickly and safely navigate most things that I will encounter in my area. I have trimmed my total weight from 31 lbs to 19.12 lbs (fully loaded food/water/etc) in 1 years time.

Every hiker will have different needs and comfort levels. If you if are comfortable barefoot in a loincloth, or want to bring a full 50 lb expedition pack then do it. Do what works for you. If you have any suggestions or input, feel free to comment below!

Prices may not reflect actual market cost, when possible I attempt to buy on sale or used.

Items worn or carried will not be listed in total pack weight.

Pack/Shelter/Sleep systems	Item	Weight	Price
Backpack	Golite Pinnacle (Discontinued)	32oz	$100
Tent	Mountain Hardware Waypoint 1 (Discontinued)	35oz	$60
Sleeping Bag	Mountain Hardware "Crazy legs" 20deg Down (Discontinued)	40oz	$75
Pillow (case)	Therm-a-rest trekkers pillowcase	2.3oz	$15
Sleeping pad	Therm-a-rest Solite	14oz	$40
	Subtotal	7.7 lb	$290

Clothing/Accessories (Packed)	Item	Weight	Price
Rain Shell	Mountain Hardware Sirocco (Discontinued)	11.5oz	$99
Base Layer bottom*	Paradox merino blend pant	6oz	$17.99
Mid layer*	Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer Pro Fleece 1/4-Zip	11.5oz	$49
Balaclava*	Polarsport fleece balaclava	1.6oz	$15
Glove's*	Columbia Omni-heat grip gloves	1.1oz	$20
Socks	Generic wool blend	3oz	$5
First aid	Adventure Medical Pocket Medic	3.2oz	$10
Cooking-System	Jet-boil zip +mini bic lighter	12.5oz	$75
Cooking-Fuel	MSR Isopro 8oz	8oz	$5
Water purification	SteriPEN Adventure	4.61oz	$90
Water purification- pre filter	SteriPEN Fitsall filter	2oz	$20
Water Storage	Nalgene Canteen 32oz	2oz	$10
ETC hygene	contact case/tooth brush etc	6oz	$NA
	Subtotal	4.56 lb	$415.99

Clothing/Accessories (Worn not packed)	Item	Weight	Price
Knife	Cold Steel Rajah 3 (Serrated)	NA	$68
Boots	Merrell Reflex II Waterproof Boots	NA	$70
T-Shirt	Patagonia Fore Runner T-shirt	NA	$39
Pants	The North Face Paramount Peak 2	NA	$85
Socks	C9 duo-dry socks	NA	$7
Boxer-briefs	C9 powercool boxer-briefs	NA	$13
Watch	Suunto Advizor (Discontinued)	NA	$99
	Subtotal	NA	$381

Electronics	Item	Weight	Price
Personal Locater Beacon	SPOT Gen 2	5.2oz	$45
Phone/Camera/Music	LG-G3	5.26oz	$99
GPS	Backcountry Navigator APP (On phone)	0oz	$11
Headlamp	Black Diamond Spot	3.2oz	$22
Backup phone battery	Generic 3300mah battery	2oz	$13
	Subtotal	1.00 lb (rounded up)	$190

Food	Item	Weight	Price
Water	2 Liters w/camelbak elixir tabs	4.4lbs	N/A
Mountain House Dinner pro-pak	x1	4.06oz	$7.50
Clif bar	x3	7.2oz	$3
Clif shot bloks	x2	4.2oz	$4
Peanut butter sandwich	x2	8oz	N/A
	Subtotal	5.86 lb	$14.50

Totals	Item	Weight	Price
		19.12lb	$1291.41

* Trip condition dependent item

Solo hike

If you are an experienced hiker but have never gone on a solo hike, then get out there and do it. Hiking with friends/family can be fun, but hiking alone is a different type of adventure. Its just you and nature, and if you can go early on a weekday, the trail will be all yours. You set your own pace, leave for the trail head when you want its your adventure.

But as Alan Kay said recently on "Alone" if your going to be by yourself a lot in nature, then you had better enjoy the company.

Green Mountain Trail: 07/24/15

Hike: Green Mountain

Date: 07/23/15

Distance/Gain: 8.0 miles, 3,100 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 6500 ft

Rating: 7/10

Pros: Views, ponds, diverse plantlife/animal life

Cons: Crowds, for me fog

In preparation for my upcoming backpacking trip to Sahale Glacier, I decided that over the next few weeks I would be doing full backpacking weight (tent/bag/etc) for my day hikes.

I got an early start for this one, I woke up at about 4:15 and started getting ready.  I drove up hwy 530, and once past Darrington there was still a 20 mile drive up Suiattle River Road. The drive out is nice with very few potholes, and I actually made pretty good time up to the trail.  I arrived at the trail head around 8:30, and to my surprise there was another car already in the lot.  It was partially cloudy with fog, and I had high hopes that it would clear by the time I reached the top. I grabbed my gear, and began the slow trudge upward.

Plant "scree field"

The hike starts out with the common theme in the area of switchbacks in heavy forest, only giving you an occasional peek view through the woods. I quickly came across some wood peckers, as well as grouse. After I cleared the woods, I began the walk down a level portion of the trail with about hip high plants on both sides of me. It is easy to see why this was named Green Mountain.  When the forest broke, I came upon at what on most hikes would likely have been a scree field, instead here is a sloped mountain side of all kids of hip high green plants, its pretty amazing to look at. I wondered to myself what types of creatures could be lurking around in there.  If you have acridophobia (fear of grasshoppers) then this is not the trail for you. One will jump sending off a chain reaction of about 50 more jumping on, and around you. 

I continued through more of the switchbacks, until I finally broke free and arrived at the ponds.  This is a very picturesque area, and is a great place for a break if you need one.

Once I left the ponds, I came across the open meadows in the green mountain basin. A look up ahead showed me what I was in for during my last 1000 ft to the top. With my full pack I was defiantly taking more short rests than I would have with my day-pack.

As I gained elevation I came to the disappointing conclusion that I was not going to have more than 100 yards of viability during this hike due to the clouds/fog. I was not going to get the views I desired, but at least I was still getting the workout that I needed.

I reached the top at 6500 feet, a new personal altitude record for my hikes, before heading back down.  I met my first set of hikers about 20 minutes down the trail.  We talked for a minute before a marmot screamed at us to get off of his doorstep, I obliged and continued on.

At that point the hike became bittersweet.  As I continued down and began to see some amazing views...the clouds and fog were lifting. I can only imagine what  I could have seen at the top if I had just waited an hour.  I passed about 5 sets of hikers on the way back to my car, seemed pretty busy for a Thursday, but this trail has something for everyone views, plant life, animals, insects, ponds, etc. 

 I would recommend this hike if you have the opportunity to try it.

Diamond Head Hike (Oahu): 4/26/2015 (Late Blog Entry)

Hike: Diamond Head State Monument

Date: 04/26/2015

Distance/Gain: 1.5 miles, 560 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 761 ft

Rating: 7/10

Pros: Panoramic views, ease of hike

Cons: Crowds

Well this is a little different from my usual Washington State hikes, but Ill add it in as a Vacation hike.  While not the most taxing hike (more accurately a groomed walking path,) I have ever taken on, the 1.5 mile  560 ft of gain hike will work up a sweat, especially with the Oahu weather!  The drive to the trail head is a shore couple of miles out of town, and your drive up right into the crater.


The Diamond head hike has a nice easy elevation gain, with a switch back or two along the way.  The toughest part of the hike is the staircase (which you can chose to bypass altogether) that leads up to the main bunker.


You will encounter droves of other tourists, wearing anything from dinner clothes to trail running gear, and everything in between.  If you are searching for solitude hiking Diamond head will not provide it, however the people watching can be entertaining in itself.

When its all said and done, its a must do "hike" if you are ever in Oahu. And its cool to think that you are hiking up an old Volcano crater/ converted military base.  But I will take my Washington State solitude 99 times out of a 100!

                                              

Get out there!

Colchuck Lake: 5/28/15

Hike: Colchuck Lake

Date: 05/28/15

Distance/Gain: 8.0 miles, 2,280 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 5580 ft

Rating: 8/10

Pros: Beautiful lake, scenic hike, access to fresh water

Cons: Crowds (On weekends), distance to drive to.

After attempting Damfino lake to Excelsior ridge last week without success (lost trail in the snow,)  I decided I needed to get my first full hike of the summer out of the way.  I woke up at 4:45 am and chose Colchuck lake as my destination, and for my first taste of the "Enchantments."

As far of a drive as it was (about 2hrs 45 mins,) there is something fun about getting up at the crack of dawn, and driving across the pass for a solo hike. I cant accurately put it into words, but everyone should try it if you have the chance.

I arrived at the trail head at 9:00 to a semi full parking lot.  I had flashbacks to a post I read on NWhikers.net, about running into 100+ people on this same trail on memorial day weekend. At about 9:10 I was on my way up the trail.

The hike starts out with an easy mile and a half, creek side walk through the forest.  About a mile in, I passed a couple that were taking in the views of the creek.  To my surprise, those would be the only people that I passed on the way to the lake.  After the walk through the woods, you will cross the creek on a bridge before beginning the first real incline of the hike.

After a series of rocky switch backs you will reach the trail junction for Stuart, and Colchuck lakes.  To me this is where the hike really shined.  Stick to the left and you will happen upon another log bridge, with a talus field/forest layer/and the top of Dragontail peak all stacked up in front of you, it is an amazing view, almost like the gateway to the wilderness.

You stick to the right after crossing the bridge, and walk along the creek before your next big push uphill. The climb remains pretty consistent rocky, and rooty but very manageable.  You will have a few nice views/photo opportunities on your way to the lake.

1 hour and 50 minutes later I reached Colchuck lake.  The lake is just as awesome as advertised. A beautiful blue/green with Dragontail peak towering behind it.  I was able to spend about 30 minutes alone at the lake before I had to start heading home.  On the walk down I passed numerous groups of hikers (maybe a total of 15.) I reached my car exactly 3hrs and 50 minutes from when I left, making it a relatively quick and easy day hike.