go backpacking

We’re going on the Ingalls Creek Trail, near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, for this Labor Day weekend – 12 miles each way. I have a sleeping bag, new rain jacket, water filter, etc etc. I’m using hand-me-downs for the pack and sleeping pad, but everything else I’ve bought myself over the past 16 months or so. I’m slightly nervous but mostly excited! I’ve been stair-climbing at work all week. My thighs ache, but hopefully they won’t hurt as much this weekend then.

Season is sort of coming to an end, after Labor Day and all, and I want a real trip. We were thinking of Goat Lake, but the trailhead was closed a couple weeks ago. If it’s not open, anywhere in the North Cascades mountain loop area will do. The weekend forecast is brilliant.

I ordered a lightweight knife and a poncho/tarp today.

I think we spent more time driving than hiking, but it was still fun. I mean, it’s not optimal to be in 50 degree rain, but it’s a rain forest right? We hiked up, got confused about where to camp, wandered the hot springs, then settled in. Because it’s such a short trip, the grounds were fairly “crowded.” As were the springs, but we managed to get some soaking time with only a couple other strangers present.

So I want to try again somewhere dry!

We’re planning on a short jaunt that only barely counts as backpacking, but hey, carrying all our stuff 2.5 miles is good!

We picked up some more crap from REI, mostly food but also A COMPASS. And I got another pair of pants from Backcountry.com, along with a packtowel and Snow Peak titanium cup. Today Reg will be picking up his new sleeping bag and some light gloves for us. And then, Olympic National Forest!

We climbed a hill in a wheat field, the most strenuous “hiking” I’ve done in a while. It was small but steep. I need to get in better shape!

Beyond that, my underwear worked quite well with my fleece and shell. I am satisfied, or would have been if I’d brought a hat. Also, I wore jeans over my long johns, which will not do. So I need some thicker pants, and maybe a windshirt.

Got a base layer (long sleeve tee and johns) and Reflectix. Reg has already made a seating pad out of the Reflectix (which is that aluminum covered bubble wrap stuff), and we then spent the evening weighing things. FUN STUFF. My baseweight is probably 15 lbs, as we can split up the stove and tent etc between people. And then foodnicks and water. Reg brought out his old purifier and it seems to be a-ok.

We are not going camping this weekend but I want to hit a trail, so I made a list of possibilities. Hopefully we can try out the packs and whatnot.

For the ladies.
http://www.p-mate.com/eng/product.html

Beyond that, my GSI double boiler came in. It’s so cute.

We went camping around Swauk and hiked the Sculpture Rock trail (easy). Pics here

Tested out the tent and most of my equipment. Everything is fantastic, but I need some warm/light clothing for night time. Underwear, that is. I can’t bring my normal 10+ layers. Take up way too much space. Everything else is pretty great though.

I got a neoprene insulator for my Platypus tube (it was rather a pain skiing with it, without one); a titanium spork; a new polyester tee from Mountain Hardware; Body Glide for blisters; and a Coghlan mosquito headnet.

I got a dry-weave t-shirt, a long-sleeve SPF hiking shirt, and zipoff nylon pants. WOO!

Technically I have a pack and sleeping bag, but they are a bit heavy. On the other hand, Reg will probably be carrying the tent.