Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Your Whitney Day Hike Gear List

I'm with DocRodney on the water. Whitney is one of the few places in the Sierra I treat water during 3-season hiking period and then not every source.

A Steripen is perfect for water treatment in the Whitney area.

Damn, I would have yakked after about 4 Power Bars. You are better man than I, TEP.

Just curious why everyone seems so consumed with the wieght of their pack? It seems to me that most people who frequent this website are experienced hikers and know what amount of gear they feel comfortable with. I would much rather prepare for the physical aspects of hiking like carrying a backpack, then go out with no emergency gear. I alway's carry enough stuff to spend at least one unexpected night on the trail. It seems the most common mishap by far is some type of fall injuring a leg or ankle. Get in reasonable shape, load up the pack and have fun!!!
First 14

Well, for a day hike, you have to decide if you want to carry enough to overnight or not. I do have a mylar space blanket and a large trash compactor bag in my first aid kit, so I have a minimum level of shelter.

For an overnight hike, the idea of lightweight meaning unprepared is a misunderstanding. Nothing is left out, everything is just lighter. Why carry a 6-pound tent when a 1-pound will do? My down jacket is lighter than my fleece jacket. Etc.

As we (I) get older, weight is a big factor in my ability to get out and my enjoyment on the trail. Old knees, bad back, etc. It is possible to be prepared and still be light.

The biggest mistake many newer hikers and backpackers do is go to an outfitter and buy everything on their checklist without considering if they really need to buy it or if the store just really wants to sell it.

Everyone is anal about something. Pack is not something I'm anal about, especially for day hikes. I quite regularly leave my backpacking repair kit in my day pack rather leave it at home. However, I do watch my pack weight during backpacking trips but not to the extent of cutting the margins off maps, using Dr. Bronner's instead of toothpaste or substituting a closed cell foam mattress for my Big Agnes REM Somewhat insulated Air Core Mattress.

There is a lot to be learned and applied from the gram counters.

Hiking with the lightest pack possible is alway's a goal of mine. I definetly agree that getting pack wieght down for a backpacking trip is vert important. My point is that it is better to prepare physically for hiking opposed to sitting on the couch trying out how to shave a couple lb's.
First 14

I think a mylar blanket should be included in everyone's pack, day or overnight, I always recommend to others that they should carry one. They are good for cover from the cold and rain and they are shinny and can help when others are looking for a hurt or lost person.

I'll try a Steripen ASAP. Thanks for the info. On those Power Bars... man I love them. Always have, most likely always will. Sometimes I'll eat three apple cinnamon PB's for breakfast... and then three more for lunch. LOL.

tommy

I love my steripen. It may not be needed in the Whitney area but it gives us brainwashed old guys that extra level of confidence to drink the streams.
The issue of weight is a personal one. As AsABat stated some of us babyboomers have to deal with back and knee issues since we have abused our bodies in our youth.
I did an overnight on MW with a 53 lb pack and a year later with a 26 lb pack after losing 40lbs in addition. It was a HELLLLL of a lot easier with the lighter weights.

Damn, If I'm going to give up my Jack, Kahlua or red wine. That is way too much to ask.

For me, it is a balancing act between comfort, convenience and weight. Comforts, conveniences and More Than Two Buck Not Chuck seem to be winning a lot of the arguments.

wbtravis as long as you have your priorities correct as it seems you do then it is all good.

Whenever I return from a trip I check each item as I unload my pack. Did I use it? Was it there for peace of mind/safety? etc. I've been able to pare things down to the minimum that I'm comfortable with, but still defer to safety & comfort. I'd rather go a bit slower with a heavier pack. And, I've given many a fellow hiker first aid stuff, trash bag for a rain poncho, etc.

The Jack, Kahlua and a good bottle of Red in 1 L Platy is are the primary reason for taking 20+ pounds off my packweight of 2001...that and I figured out REI needed the money more than I did.

Over the years, I've used my first aid kit more for strangers and friends than I have used it for myself.

There is an absolute unwritten rule that if you are fully prepared and bring something for safety you will never need to use it for yourself.
Of course the minute you leave it behind, guess what, you'll need it.

I have added a few things in the past few years when I have often been hiking solo. I now carry a Sam splint in my pack and some duck tape wrapped around my hiking poles. Never know when you're going to come across a duck with a broken leg. I also carry a mylar blanket and a SPOT. I don't carry a GPS but I do carry a map and compass, even in familiar territory, and I know how to use them. And I carry enough layers to survive an unexpected overnight even if I won't be comfortable.

My hiking partner and I went to Seq/Kings Canyon on Saturday with someone that was going to take us to Alta Peak. He had great credentials and said "it was his backyard". I will leave off the group that he was affiliated with so as not to embarass him. Since we were going to his "backyard" I neglected to do my normal pre-trip map orientation, in fact I didn't even look at it. I did however bring enogh stuff in my pack to spend an unexpected night on the trail. This nearly happened, Alta peak is a fairly easy 14 mile round trip that turned into a 25 mile marathon ending in the dark. Our "guide" took two wrong turns adding 11 miles to the hike and announced he was to tired to summit(took a nap). This only cements my thought that you shoild ALWAY'S carry enough to spend the night on the trail and that you should NEVER trust that someone else knows the way.
First 14

I’m new to the outdoor business but agree 100% with 14’s comment. Always prepare as if you’re going alone. This means taking enough emergency gear and also getting as much information beforehand. Every hike/climb to the Sierras is a first for me and I have mostly gone with a local club. However, I always make sure to take a map, know how to read it and know the route we are suppose to take. The last thing I want is to get lost because I was separated from the group or because the ‘leader’ took a wrong turn.

-Rudy