I went on a 3 day backpacking adventure this weekend. I was looking for a just a day hike off Meetup to find new Vegas area trails and perhaps meet some new people. My mother is on this Vegashikers Meetup group and let me know there was an annual backpacking trip to Hidden Forest to a cabin - I checked a little of it out and signed up.
It was nice to meet some fun, adventurous and interesting people. When I went on Meetup hikes in Oregon everyone was about 50+ years old and I felt out of the loop on conversation most of the time. I think this group was definitely labeled as the horniest group but leave it to Vegas to win that trophy and it was refreshing to finally dial into the conversation.
On the way up in the caravan, I met a man that was on the verge of picking up and leaving Vegas to travel and explore new places. He questioned my journey and it's always refreshing to share with someone and another reminder of what I am doing and to remain open to others to give and take even if it's just knowledge and experience. He had the same thoughts I've had growing up: we see a different generation to live to work then work for retirement. Once you hit retirement then it's time to do this and that and follow your dreams of what you've always want to do. His father is on or about to retire and then was diagnosed with Leukemia. It's hard to hear that the things he once dreamed of doing once he hit retirement he is not able to do because of his weakness. It's scary for me personally to have this happen to me, to say "once day I will do this..." and then once the time comes, to not physically be able to do so.
During the weekend, I came across 4 new interesting observations I never thought of before.
Interesting observation 1: It's funny trying to rid myself of material items yet be so into backpacking and outdoor gear. It's hard to not compare yourself and your items to other backpackers. The chorus around camp sang, "What kind of gear do you have? What did you bring to eat? What kind of stove/Jet boil do you have? How much did that weigh? Where did you get that?" At first I was annoyed by all this and comparing skill instead of enjoying the hike and the outdoors. It was like a competition of wiseness and skill, however in the end we all brought what we had in order to survive the weekend and left with greater knowledge collectively to be smarter and wiser for our next individual trips. Each person had something to share whether it was skills, jokes, tools, food or alcohol we were all in this together and had a wonderful time doing what we love in the wilderness. Which I believe created a deeper bond than actual urban bonding of money, material and social status.
Interesting observation 2: Backpacking is the best cure for PMS. Sorry it's gross but seriously! I was all packed up and ready to head out Friday morning and as I was walking out the door, I went to the restroom one last time and "ah damn it!" Went and packed a small bag of feminine supply with a garbage bag (leave no trace). Uncomfortable in the car ride and a bit cranky it all soon left my body as we turned down the dirt road that didn't seem to have an end. Watching the dust fly behind us and looking up seeing the Beavertail Cactus in full bloom - I have never seen such a beautiful color spread across the brown desert floor. We all get unloaded and by this time I had to urinate. I tried to hold it in since the trailhead was completely exposed and no place to drop down, get my 2 bags out to change supply so I get my 30 lbs. pack on and head about. There were about 15 total I think in the group. As we started hiking we all went at different paces and I was able to lose everyone for a good 30 minutes, I already forgot about my cramps as I took pictures of the canyon walls, smelled the sage and enjoyed the cool breeze and clear skies. I found a cool big shady tree and did my business, I used to get so grossed out by the female anatomy and hated the whole menstrual cycle process, however at this moment, it didn't bother me, it felt natural and my mind went back to Sacajawea and how did she do this with Lewis and Clark by her side? I brought all necessary items to stay sanitary and went about the trail like it was no big deal, because it wasn't. By the time we got to camp I was in beatitude to have made it, to have gained 2000 ft elevation carrying a fat ass pack and staying hydrated enough to venture about, make lunch, figure a new tent, teach a new skill to someone and go back to hike another mile or so to find a "lost" hiker. By the end of the weekend, my cycle was over and I felt like it was nothing. No cramps, no crazy episodes of emotions, no cravings, nothing, just absolute peace and serenity.
Interesting Observation 3: I am enjoying the beauty of the wilderness more and as if with new eyes as an atheist. I started hiking after a breakup in Utah back in 2008. I renewed my spirituality through meditating and praying in Rock Canyon (Provo). I used to set up my yoga mat, eat my granola and read my bible off the trail and pray to God, "thank you Lord, for creating this very place for me to relax and rejoice in your beauty." I wouldn't think anything past that. I have a deep adoration for rocks, since as a child I collect rocks - they are beautiful and that's all. I say "that's all" because now I can actually research explanations of the geology, history, see data, look for fossils, know that beyond the beauty is such complexity not created by God but bring perspective and the awesomeness of EVOLUTION! To know I am nothing superior but part of this amazing cycle of life and realize my thinking and previous observations were lazy. It makes me have a lot more respect for myself, and for the land and skies.
Interesting Observation 4: You can't save stubborn people or can you? I'm not sure. As we got to the trailhead there was a dude with a ridiculous backpack and on top of that was another backpack, a Coleman sleeping bag and a Walmart tent. Not sure if I or someone should step in or not, I figured he read up on the hike and description and he should have common sense to know what he is doing. As we went on hiking he fell way behind, too far behind people didn't have the stamina to wait up. The sun started to go down and a big cloud began to roll in. As I felt a couple drops, I couldn't help but worry about this guy. It then hit me it was obvious this was hit first backpacking trip and I bet he didn't know how to pack and bag and I bet a million bucks he packed canned food.There was a couple that was not from our group that hiked into camp and our party asked if they passed the chap, they mentioned he only had about a sip of water left and was trying but not really trying to ask for more water. This was enough to trigger that feeling of being in the Alaskan wilderness with no water - it's a horrible feeling and let alone this is the desert! It was a hot day, thankfully I packed just enough water and electrolyte tabs to get me to the camp. I felt within me, it was up to me to go down and take a load off this guy; I packed a small day pack filled my camelback, brought some snacks for him and I, a water bottle for him, headlamp, knife and a sweater. I found a woman that lost her dog earlier about 1.2 mile down the trail with her dog and another girl that went to help her. The girl ended up coming with me as we both felt that tug we needed to do something. We headed down and found him about a 1.5 miles down the trail huffing and puffing, red in the face and looked completely disheveled. I asked how he was doing he said, "Oh I am fine." I was like uhh you don't look fine buddy I offered my water and for him to sit a minute. He chugged the whole thing and I I gave him beef jerky, he shoved it all in his mouth grunting like a sigh of short relief. I asked if I could carry his pack or something to eliminate the weight and he refused and walked passed me. His Coleman sleeping bag started to fall off and the other girl that was with me suggested he fix it, as it fell off I grabbed it and started strapping it to my pack. He leaned over and grabbed it out of my hands enough to leave red marks from the stapes and said, "NO! I have it, leave me alone." The girl I was with stood back and gave a bewildered look. She told him, "look we are here to help you now let us carry something." He grumbled back, "No, you're making me look like an idiot." I said, "Sorry to break it to ya bud but you don't look like you're in too good of shape, there's a mile and a half up to go and it looks like it's going to rain, do you have rain protection? Have you eaten?" He said, "No my spoon is dirty and it doesn't rain in Nevada" then laughed. At this point I couldn't decide at this point if he was delirious, mentally disabled, or just flat out stubborn. I have never been in a circumstance where someone obviously needs help but doesn't realize it, I didn't know what to do; I still don't if I were to be in that situation again. As he dropped his pack I began to just take action and pull off the strapes that tied the 2nd backpack to carry it and the sleeping bag to the other girl. He pushed me aside and yelled, "you're really pissing me off, go away, you're messing it all up! I had it all just set right!" At this point the other girl whispered, "eh fuck him" and walked away. I wanted to do the same but seriously this dude is going to get himself killed, maybe not today but to be so naive to under estimate mother nature in the desert, dehydrated, weak and couldn't eat because his spoon was dirty I couldn't just walk away. He put everything back and I walked with him and the other girl said, "I think it's because you're a girl." I didn't think of it but I guess it made sense but in any horrible circumstance such as this I would give a fuck who came to help me. I think his pride weighed more than his 2 packs and I gave him a talking to about under estimating the weather, the situation he put himself and all of us in for worrying about him, etc. We hiked a good 3/4 of a mile and came trotting down a loud mouthed man in flip flops and roared, "hey buddy! Let me take that pack from ya!" The dude thankfully dropped it and handed it over. Huh. Well at least he got help and I filled my pack with firewood and headed up back to camp. Once everyone got back, he about dropped, people took his pack, set up his tent and unloaded it. I think we estimated the weight of about 85 lbs. 85 LBS!!!!! He ended up having his 2nd bag filled with canned food, a regular sized canned opener, big ass flashlight, 5 thermoses, and whatever you would take car camping. Poor guy. But to continue my journey and passion of the outdoors, what the hell do you do with a person that obviously needs help but not from a woman?
Anyway, interesting fun weekend and I definitely have mad respect for these Vegas Hikers! It was like 90 degrees and they pushed through like it was nothing! We pulled over to air up tires on the dirt road, I went to pee behind a bush and I felt like the pee was just evaporating before it even hit the dirt.
If you plan on going camping or backpacking please stay sexy and adhere to the following list I created:
Backpacking Checklist – 10
Essentials
1. Navigation
a.
Map – with protective case
b.
Compass
c.
GPS
2. Sun Protection
a.
Sunscreen and lip balm
b.
Sunglasses
3. Insulation
a.
Jacket, vest, pants, gloves, hat
4. Illumination
a.
Headlamp and flashlight
b.
Extra batteries
5. First Aid Kit
a.
Antihistamine
b.
High Altitude Sickness remedies
c.
Pepto-Bismol
d.
Eye drops
6. Fire
a.
Matches and lighter
b.
Waterproof container
c.
Fire Starter *I like to use cotton balls and
coat them in petroleum jelly
7. Repair kit and tools
a.
Knife or multi tool
b.
Mattress; duct tape strips
8. Nutrition
a.
Extra day’s supply of food
b.
Multi vitamins
9. Hydration
a.
Water bottles
b.
Water filter
c. Extra tablets for filtering
10. Emergency
Shelter
a. Tent,
tarp, bivy, or reflective blanket
Stuff
- Backpack
- Daypack/Summit Pack
- Pack cover
- Tent, tarp or bivy sack (with stakes, guylines)
- Foot print
- Sleeping bag
- Stuff sack or compression sack
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow or stuffable pillow case
- Whistle
- Trekking poles
- Ice axe
- Meals
- Energy food (bars, gels, chews, trail mix)
- Stove
- Whiskey in Nalgene flask
- Fuel
- Cookset
- Dishes/bowls
- Utensils
- Foil
- Garbage bags
- Cups
- Food-storage canister
- Nylon cord (50 ft for hanging food)
- Backup water treatment (e.g., halogens)
- Lantern
More
Stuff
- Boots
- Socks (synthetic or wool) plus spares
- Gaiters
- Sandals
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Permits
- Route description or guidebook
- Field guide
- Notebook, pen
- Credit card and small amount of cash
- Toilet paper
- Sanitation towel
- Hand sanitizer
- Insect repellent
- Toothbrush/toiletry kit
- Biodegradable soap
- Quick drying towel
- Cell phone
- Post hike snacks, water, towel, clothing change,
shot of whiskey *my favorite you’ll appreciate yourself you packed this for
yourself!
- Trip itinerary with friend and under car seat
Clothes
- Wicking t-shirt (Synthetic or wool)
- Wicking underwear
- Quick drying pants
- Long sleeve shirt or sun/bugs
- Sun-shielding hat
- Bandana or Buff
- Wicking long underwear
- Hat, Snow cap
- Gloves
- Raingear (jacket, pants)
- Fleece jacket or vest and pants
Meal
Plan for May 10 – 12, 2013
Friday
- Eat nice big breakfast before heading out!
- Snacks for day hike:
- Trail
mix
- Extra
sharp cheddar Cheese *sharper will keep longer
- Beef
Jerky
- Lunch
- Tuna
sandwich
- Granola
Bar
- Cashews
- Dinner
- Backpacker
Meal
- Peanut M&M’s
- Whiskey
Saturday
- Breakfast
- Backpacker
meal
- Instant
Coffee
- Snacks
- Cliff
Bar
- Peanut
Butter pretzels
- Gatorade
mix
- Lunch
- Salami
and Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Flat
bread
- Dinner
- Instant
mashed potatoes - loaded
- Whiskey
- Dark Chocolate
Sunday
- Breakfast
- Instant
Oatmeal with dried cranberries, raisins and banana chips
- Instant
Coffee
- Snacks
- Smoothie pack these are my favorite {http://www.peterrabbitorganics.com/fruit-snacks/mango-banana-and-orange.htm} you can find them either in the produce section or baby food aisle.
- Cliff
Bar
- Lunch
- Wrap with banana chips, Justin's Honey Peanut Butter, Granola, raisins
- Fruit Leather
Extra meal
PB&J packets, Extra Tortilla, Granola bar, Ramen Noodles
*crushed in Ziplock bag
Packing
You want to pack your snacks in a different dry ditty sack:
I
use the small blue one for the snacks and strap it to the outside of my pack
for easy access while hiking on the trail. However you can also take out the
day’s snacks to place in your pocket for easier accessibility.
Then use the Green or Grey sack for your meals and when you
back you want to place backwards; extra food first, Sunday’s lunch, breakfast
then Saturday’s dinner, lunch, breakfast, Friday’s dinner, lunch, etc.
When packing your
backpack:
You want to be cautious of the amount and weight you are putting into your bag including the weight of the pack. Your goal is to get to about 30lbs. plus or minus a few, especially if you are new and your gaining any elevation. Keep in mind of your water! Depending on where you are backpacking to and from and along check recent updates on the water sources. If you are hiking near water, your filter will be your best friend which leaves you room for more whiskey! If you are hiking some place without water source you will have have pack in your own which gets heavy quick. I have a little over 3 liter water bag which is just under 8lbs. Then I also pack about 2 Nalgenes which also puts on another 2 lbs. I'm already at 10 lbs. which leaves me 20lbs of room for everything else. You never think about it but ounces count! It helps if you have a food scale to make sure you aren't packing too much. Also you want to consider the amount of calories you will be burning each day and how much you need to refuel yourself.
Top: first aid kit for easy access
Bottom: overnight items, clothes, you can also strap bulky
items to the bottom as well.
Pockets: you want to place your knife, headlamp, tools,
water filters, layers, map, compass, whistle, sunscreen, glasses, etc for easy
access.
