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Backpacking Season

4/22/2018

Reed Lakes Trail in Hatcher Pass Alaska

Every Spring, without fail, I pull out my backpacking gear from its winter storage, I set my tent up in the living room and I dream of the places I’ll explore when the weather warms. I do not always make it out into the wilderness areas I place on my to do list, but each season I make an attempt. This year holds promise and I excitedly anticipate adventure ahead.

I received inquiries regarding the gear I pack out into remote areas. Here is a basic list of items and some of their weights.

Loadout Backpacking Gear
Backpack: Gregory Arcadia XS 5lb 5oz
Gregory Backpack Waterproof Rain Cover
Tent: REI Passage 1 & Footprint 3lb 11oz
Trekking Poles   1lb 2oz
Sleeping Pad: REI Lite-Core 1.5 self-inflating 1lb 11oz
Sleeping Bag: Mountain Hardwear Lyell SL -15 2lb 12oz
   600 fill goose down (even in summer)
Water Filter: MSR Sweetwater Guardian Purifier 8.7oz
Bear Spray 8.3oz
Stove Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 Stove 3.05oz
Fuel 7.4oz
Folding Wind Screen (for stove) 4.4oz
Pocket Knife, fork, spoon
Mug
Light weight pot (use this for cooking and eating)
First Aid Kit with mole skin, sunscreen & bug repellent
Foldable Foam Seat Pad
Microfiber towel
Head lamp
Whistle
Toiletries - tooth brush/paste, baby wipes, lip balm
Trowel, toilet paper & Go Girl (great for alpine ventures with no tree covering)

Hat, gloves (even in summer), extra pair of socks, underwear, long John pants & top (sleeping), extra shirt, shorts, rain gear

Hot chocolate, dry milk, instant coffee bags, dehydrated meals, power bars/nuts.

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I credit my love of the outdoors to two major influences: Dad and Aunt Jan.

Dad pushed limits. He seemed fearless through my little girl eyes. And when he’d take me and my sister camping in the woods or cycling through a canyon or swimming in the river, he made every experience seem as though we were bold adventurers conquering dangerous feats.

Aunt Jan nurtured. She loved to teach and she loved, what she affectionately called us at times, naughty children. I’ve fond memories of my four cousins, my sister and I traipsing along wooded trails or sandy shorelines chatting with aunt Jan. She had a gift for making us feel important, valued. She opened up her heart and the outdoors to each of us.

Though these childhood experiences have long faded into memory, dad's and aunt Jan’s legacies remain. No matter what presses against me, my world seems to right, at least on some level, when I climb a mountain, float a waterway, pack up into the alpine, cycle along a trail, traverse a wooded path, pitch a tent, build and sit by a fire or throw a sleeping bag down on a sand bar and sleep under the stars.

God’s creation has a way of calming my mind, comforting my soul and soothing my spirit. And I am thankful for dad's and aunt Jan’s examples that nurtured my love of nature.

Guffaw Thru Life

It's such fun jumping on beds . . . and couches too and eating pie from the center before serving it to others. I love laughing and I appreciate people who make me.

Life is amazing with its possibilities. And, I am blessed by the wonderful people in my life and the liberty I have to pursue what brings me joy. In spite of life's griefs, there is peace and joy and love enough to fill all the spaces.

Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a Warrior who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love, He will exult over you with songs of deliverance."

Backpacking Season

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