Packing begins

Update on weights

Dinners only = 4 pounds

Small bear can = 2 pounds

Daily Mileage & Route Planning

In reviewing the potential routes today, I've figured out a couple things that I think will help in your preparation.

1. This first day has the biggest elevation change. We'll be leaving the trail head at about 6,600 feet and climbing to 8,200 feet over 2.8 miles. I chose this route over another nearby trail head because the same elevation gain is covered in just 1.8 miles from that trail head. A more gradual approach should make the initial climb more bearable. Speaking of bears, here's one I saw in Yosemite on my hike back from Cloud's Rest. I met a pale-faced girl coming around the corner on the trail - she reported a bear sighting just behind her. I decided to wait for some others to reach me on the trail before rounding the corner -- thought maybe we could make enough noise as a group to encourage the bear to leave. The bears are more interested in food than people, so bear attacks are rare in Yosemite, but I thought it was dumb to continue down the trail alone. Instead, I waited for other hikers to reach me (I had passed them all earlier) and, then led a group of about 10 people carefully and slowly through the area where the bear was. We let her wander away down the trail and then off to begin foraging and were careful not to disturb her (I suppose it could be a him). Someone in the group took this picture and sent it tonight. They must have used their zoom lens because we were never this close to the bear!
2. 

   We shouldn't see any of these on our backpacking trip

   The first day may also be our longest day - 5 miles to reach the first campsite. At an average pace of 2 mph, this means 2.5 hours of hiking. It is quite possible that our average pace will be less than 2 mph because it's the first day at elevation, packs will need to be adjusted, blisters may appear etc. So, I think we should plan for 3-4 hours of hiking. 
3. Day 2 will be a shorter hike: 3 miles to the next lake and then we'll wander around and find a camp that is away from people. The lake is beautiful, but might be pretty populated.
4. Day 3 will be a day hike from our camp at the lake: Today, we'll do at least 5 miles and if we're feeling good, we'll hike down to a lake to have lunch which will create a 7 mile round-trip hike. Because we won't be carrying full packs, it will be much easier than Day 1.
5. Day 4 we'll hike out and back to the car so one of us can get ready for her 3rd year of vet school beginning the next day! What a great way to start the year! This will be about a 5 mile hike with much of it downhill -- probably 2-2.5 hours.

 I WAS SERIOUS -- We most probably won't see any on our hike. And, I'm taking extra precautions by carrying all of our food in a bear can.

The new pack - testing time

Mission: test the new pack, a Deuter ACT Lite 60+10 SL

Load: 20 lbs

The route: easiest possible 5.5-mile hike I could find, the C&O Canal Towpath between Noland's Ferry (complete with a sign declaring that Washington frequently used to cross there) and the Calico Rocks hiker/biker campsite

The gear.

The towpath.

The Potomac River.

The campsite.

The results: It took until mile 3 to dial in the pack adjustments (and then it felt GREAT) and until mile 5 to decide I should probably carry a supply of ibuprofen on this backpacking trip for my bum left upper back, which, as usual, acted up when subjected to any labor whatsoever.

REI-ing

While I was searching for the essentials (read: pack, rain gear, camelback bladder, hiking socks, and a mosquito head net) at REI, I also came across these lovely items, which made me think of you, Deb. Perhaps you could forgo something else for the comfort of these items!

Weighs just 4.25 oz., Deb!

And this is only 1.4 oz!

And this made me think of you, Beth. Don't get any ideas from these crazy barefooted sisters!

Perspectives

How I imagine our backpacking trip:

How our mother imagines our backpacking trip:

Inspiration Arrived - MaryJane's Oupost

I hope you don't get the wrong idea by the photo on the front of this book. It's written by the woman whose food I recommended.  I ordered it for this chapter:

Thought I might consider her breakfast ideas for this trip. Hot breakfast isn't something I usually make time for, but I think we can do it this trip. 

What do you think of a breakfast cereal made of quinoa? I'm a bit nervous about the quantity of fuel required to cook quinoa for 3, so need to try it this weekend. Here are the flavor ideas: 

Anything look interesting? 

We could also just take oatmeal...

Pick your dinner

Choose 3 - these are what I have at home now. I'll shop for additional dinners if needed! 

Menu Planning

This may be the most important aspect of trip planning for the 3SBA (3 sisters backpacking adventure) as we all get grouchy fast when we think we should have food. I should likely hand over responsibility to one of the other sisters, but since I'll be responsible for carrying the bear can and therefore the full weight of the food, I want to be fully involved in the planning!

Here is what we need: 

Breakfast (3 x 3 days)
Lunch (3 x 3 days)
Dinner (3 x 3 days)
Snacks (2/sister x 4 days)

I think that works out to 9 breakfasts, lunches and dinners and 24 snacks. How in the world am I going to carry that? The other trouble fact is that our large bear can (The Expedition) is missing, so I need to fit all of this food into my smaller bear can (The Weekender). Don't worry sisters...it's going to be fine...

Since our daily mileage plans are quite reasonable (after all, why make the first backpacking trip hard, right?!), we don't have a need for substantial increases in caloric intake. But, we do need enough calories to keep people happy. It's not uncommon for people to feel less hungry their first couple days at altitude, but I'm not going to plan on that for our group!

Sisters, here are a couple of my favorite mountain meals:

     

There are many vegetarian options from Backpacker's Pantry that I was VERY excited to try on my last trip, but a couple were so salty I couldn't finish them. Here is one that was pretty good:



So -- spend some time looking around and let me know what you would like. I recommend a 2 person size so you get 800-1,000 calories for dinner. I've probably tried most foods, so can give you a review if you're curious about something specific. That said, I just noticed that Mary Jane's Outpost has bars too -- might have to give those a try as I don't enjoy most energy bars...

Also -- send me your snack preferences. What types of nuts to do you like in a trail mix? Any bars you enjoy?

Packing List Prepared

Packing lists prepared and emailed to the team for the Three Sisters Backpacking Adventure (TSBA). We'll weigh our gear and split up the shared goods. Hopefully our packs will be less than 25 pounds each since this is a short trip and we're good at sharing. Speaking of weight, some people might recommend that you avoid weighing your pack as, if you have taken all possible precautions to avoid extra weight, there is nothing you can do about the weight, but I think it's a good exercise.
I realize as I'm typing this that I forgot to add lip ice -- with sunblock. We won't be sharing that. And, we're not so good at sharing food, so my next post should focus on the menu!

Notes on the packing list:

• Rain Gear is non negotiable -- works for wind, rain and perhaps best of all, mosquitoes.
• Down coat -- I don't travel without it, but there is no need to buy one for TSBA. Bring enough light weight layers and a beanie and you'll survive (I think).
• Camp Shoes -- lightweight, full foot cover and can serve as water crossing shoes
• Hiking Poles -- We have one set to loan, you can argue about who has to buy one...

The Three Sisters Backpacking Adventure (TSBA or 3SBA)

This post title might have you imagining the Three Sisters Peaks of Oregon, but you should instead imagine 3 real life, human sisters who are doing something never done before. At least by us -- The Three Sisters are embarking on a backpacking trip. I would tell you where, but then you might show up and turn it into more than the 'Three Sisters Backpacking Adventure (TSBA).' So, you'll have to wait to learn about that.

Why am I writing a post about this? Well, it's because this may be the first event that we are all embarking on because we all want to do it. It's not  being pushed on any one of us. As matter of fact, two asked the other to take them on this trip. The 'other' was so excited because backpacking is one her FAVORITE activities!

In the next three weeks, you should see our packing list, hear from the 'two of us' and the 'other' and  be able to enjoy our excitement.

Thanks, sisters -- this is going to be great fun!

Overview of sister personalities: