Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Suggestions for a backpacking newbie?

Dear backpacking experts,

I have only done day hikes in my life and I was invited to join a few friends on a 5 day backpacking trip from cottonwood pass to Mt. whitney in July. I intend to pack 40 lb into my backpack.

My questions are

1) How physically demanding is this trip? On my most recent trip, I hiked Mt. Dana in 6.5 hours carrying a 15 lb backpack. Would this trip be more difficult than the Mt. Dana trip?

2) Will there be plenty water source along the trail? I heard it is a dry year in high sierra, how bad is it really?

3) I had basic first aid/cpr/aed training at work, would this be enough?

I would also greatly appreciate your input on gear choices.

Thanks a lot!

40 is about average weight but you could go lighter if you wanted to. Ask yourself- do you really need the 3lb leatherman? What about the $50 groundcloth they sell you at REI? Everything weights stuff.

What kind of gear do you need? Or do you need everything? (mooch off your buddies as much as possible)

-lance

I did that trip last year over 4 days / 3 nights last July. I included Mt. Langley in there as well. I've never done Mt. Dana, but the info i found showed it at only 6.5 miles rountrip and 3100 feet elevation gain, if thats the guess I would definitely say this is more difficult.

There will be plenty of water along the trail. Don't think you will ever need to carry more than 3 liters of water. All our packs were between 35-45lbs. Should be able to stay in that range pretty easily.

Common Sense will go further than first aid, unless your planning on performing surgery up there.

Checkout THIS LINK for my write-up and pictures.

It's an awesome route, I'm doing the High Sierra Trail this year. Just love that area!

One, this is one of the more enjoyable trips I've done, and I think you'll think so, too.

I usually talk in terms of around 25# for a new backpacker, plus food/water. At 2#/day, that puts you at 35#, which is in the ballpark of what you are talking about. However, you might really want to try to shed that 5#. It is astonishing at how much different a pack feels when you move over 30#.

you really don't need more than 1 shirt, and one pair of pants (Zip off legs work best for versatility), you can get the pants at Big 5 on sale for around #15.

Gearsharing can really be useful. Stoves, water filters (if you use them). People seem to like to carry 2-person tents. If you are one person, though, that is a real waste, and some of them are very heavy. If you are, it should not really weigh over 5#, and that is actually up there. You might share, or consider a one-person, that you should be able to manage for 3#, or less.

You might take a look on the 'net for "lightweight backpacking", you'll be astonished at what you find.

http://www.gearfinder.com/ is a site that allows wide comparisons of gear across all brands, using different criteria.

The only other thing I'd mention is footwear. The cushioning for your feet required for a dayhike is dramatically different when you throw 40# on the back. You should be using broken-in footwear, but not worn out. You should toss the junk insole provided in every boot, and get Superfeet, or similar, which will provide tremendously better shock protection from the rocks underfoot. You should really try to do some 10-mile dayhikes carrying that amount of weight, it is often an education and a motivation.

Oh, the only issue with water is on the hike from Rock Creek, to Crabtree Creek. I think that Guyot Creek, part way, runs dry in late season, and we are at least 6 weeks ahead of schedule right now.
There is a separate thread where someone is asking about that spot, so you might keep your eye on that, as well.

Guys,
Thanks a lot for the great advice! Looks like I am in for one of the best hike of my life. I will definitely try to pack as light as possible.

1. How demanding? It depends on your physical condition and your pack weight. I've done that trip 3, 5 and 6 days. The most physically demanding of those three was the five day trip because I wasn't in good enough shape and had a 50# pack...the bad old days of heavy gear.

2. Water? Plenty even in the dry years. Two of these trips were in dry years...one in August the other in September. Just look at your maps.

3. First Aid training?...This is great.

Remember this is suppose to be fun. Start early and finish early this will give you time to nap or explore.

You also can check out the thread To Newbie BP'ers From The Whitney Veterans if you have not already done so.

I have done this trip and it is sweet. I carried a tent and only used it one night. I always sleep under the stars when possible because it's fun and it makes camp set up and break down a lot easier. If you are on your own for sleeping, I would look into a bivy instead of a one or two man tent. Unless you've got some bad weather, a good sleeping bag is all you will need. Also, like the others said, sharing stuff works well. Only one person needs to be carrying the big first aid kit, cookwear, or tent. Planning meals together can also save time, weight, water, and fuel.

I don't know the details of your trip, but I'll throw out a subtly different perspective. I've been doing the super-ultralight thing for a few years. Originally, it was a huge eye opener (cutting the toothbrush in half, no tent, no bivy, etc.).

This year I've rediscovered the OBSCENELY HEAVY pack since my young son has started backpacking. After going without for so long, there is an overwhelming sense of joy in toppling around trying to get the pack on your back. If you’re content to go slow, take some pressure off yourself and extend the trip: pack some canned food, full size binoculars, match light charcoal and a little grill top (use prudently), Coleman lantern, kites, full first aid kit, books on stars-animal prints-whatever (I still leave the “footprint” behind.) If you’re feeling really manly, grab a couple lightweight chairs and lash em’ to your pack.

I say this only half in jest - I really have enjoyed carrying all this garbage around again. (Or perhaps I just enjoy hiking with my son so much it overcomes the weight?) I’m sure I’ll be back to ultralight again soon, but these last few trips have been a good break from what had become a “sacrificing-enjoyment-to-carry-less-stuff” attitude toward hiking.

It just came to me: find your own happy medium.

Good Luck!

The above advice is excellent. However, I want to emphasize the need for good backpacking boots that fit well. Blisters are the most common problem on long hikes, and they can occur even with boots that are well broken in. If you feel a hot spot on a foot, stop immediately and apply protection. I've seen men suck it up until the blister was so huge that they could only hobble.

The second most common problem (in my 50 years of hiking/backpacking) is sunburn, especially at high altitudes. Be sure to wear a hat and wear sunscreen. Most of my friends also wear long sleeve hiking shirts. A small bottle of mosquito repellent can prevent a lot of misery.

As for the weight of 40 lbs, you should be able to reduce it by 10 lbs. You can wear outer socks for a couple of days, and you will need only one change of clothing. The caveat here is your tolerance for cold; some people need more layers, which means more weight. Hint: keep a change of clothes in your car, so you won't be so foul when you get home.

My last suggestion is to get hiking poles. Wal-Mart and Target both sell them much cheaper than regular outdoor stores. Not only will the poles give you stability going down steep trails, but you can use them to push yourself up the mountain.

Thanks a lot for all the useful information I got from this board, I finally made it!!

I hiked out from horseshoe meadow on 7/8 and camped at PCT rock creek crossing for the night (there is a bear box next to it!). On the 9th, I camped at guitar lake while someone told me there was a 40% chance of thunderstorm around 9:00 am at summit on 7/10. I decided to start early in the morning. My friends and I started at 1:05 am.

One lady friend had a bit of problem with her ankle so we stayed with her and moved slowly on the way up. we reached the trail junction at 4:30 am. Determined to get down to trail camp before 9, I put only water in my backpack and dropped everything else and run all the way up to summit. I reach summit at 5:30 am and had the whole summit to myself!

I eventually got back down to portal at 12:40pm. There I met the friendly store owner Doug Sr. I chatted and took picture with him. Of course I had the famous whitney portal burger, and nothing tasted so good after spending 2 nights in the wilderness.

I am really happy that I could made it on my first ever backpacking trip and I really thankful for all the help I received from this message board.

Notes:

For fellow hikers on the same route, there is almost no water between chicken spring lake and rock creek on PCT so plan accordingly.

Oh yeah... I cut it down with a one-person tent, and other lightweight stuff, to under 40lb.


Up to trail camp. There is no water from trail camp to the summit.


Yes, having first aid training is excellent. Lots of people up there don't know the first thing about first aid...
I did wilderness first aid training, and I would recommend that for everybody who regularly goes out into the backcountry. For a newbie, normal first aid is a very good start (I didn't have that when I started out hiking in the backcountry.)