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What (else) do I need when I go hiking?

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Bring Spock. If that doesn't work, make sure you have some anti-grav boots or a transporter nearby😉.

Your list is pretty good. Other useful items would be water, a light/foldable jacket, some prepackaged food bars and a change of socks. A compass and map if you get slightly lost.
 
Do the half dome hike. It is worth it. I have back packed all over Yosemite, and nothing comes close to the sense of accomplishment and amazement you feel at the top of half dome.
 
Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
How long are you hiking? 8 months through the Appalachian Trail? 5 mile walk along a river? There's some difference there.
Click to expand...

Hey Bbbby,

I will be doing only day hikes. No more than 8-10 hours max per day. Split between sunrise and dusk hours when I can get that sweat light off the cliffs and creating great shadows.


I remain tariffed of two things now. That temps will get to 85+ when I'm out in the field. IF that happens I'm kind of screwed. Hiking for 4 hours when its 90 degrees sucks. The other thing is the limited opportunity I will have to charge my Nikon D300 camera batteries and laptop battery. I will be in a room with no electrical outlets.... And from what I hear, the cell coverage in the valley is spotty at best and non existent in the high country.
 
An electrolyte replacement solution is required, but I'd carry a Nalgene or Lexan bottle with water in addition to your Camelbak. You can dump your electrolytes in the bottle and not contaminate your Camelbak. You don't want to put sugar in a CamelBak, it grows bacteria in the heat and dark.

I'd also suggest a light-weight mosquito head net. It's very light.

Optional: breathable long sleeves and pants, not shorts and t-shirt. That along with leather gloves and the head net will protect you from bugs. Not just mosquitoes. Pre-treat your clothing (never your hat) with permethrin. You can usually get it at WalMart.
 
Since a lot of Yosemite is the same sagebrush as much of Yellowstone.. Trust me you will want a net for your head in the summer, or you will have flies swarming and going into your ears as if you were in Somalia
 
real suggestion:

hand-pump water filter + single large water bottle is great. You will have endless supply of water, much less weight.
 
Originally posted by: Imp
Bring Spock. If that doesn't work, make sure you have some anti-grav boots or a transporter nearby😉.
Click to expand...

ATOT Rule 1276: Make No References to the movie between Star Trek IV and Star Trek VI
 
You might want a can opener and some cans of food, just in case you get lost.
You also might want a second source of fire as well, just in case (Zippo lighter would be good, or maybe something like Swedish Firesteel)
 
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
You might want a can opener and some cans of food, just in case you get lost.
You also might want a second source of fire as well, just in case (Zippo lighter would be good, or maybe something like Swedish Firesteel)
Click to expand...

cans = bad. useless weight. Never, EVER go backpacking with cans in your pack.

bring dry, non-perishable foods in ziplock bags. dried fruits, nuts, grainy stuff FTW. also, powdered milk.
 
Originally posted by: zinfamous
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
You might want a can opener and some cans of food, just in case you get lost.
You also might want a second source of fire as well, just in case (Zippo lighter would be good, or maybe something like Swedish Firesteel)
Click to expand...

cans = bad. useless weight. Never, EVER go backpacking with cans in your pack.

bring dry, non-perishable foods in ziplock bags. dried fruits, nuts, grainy stuff FTW. also, powdered milk.
Click to expand...

Ahh, I just figured can's are good since they preserve meat, and you can use the cans as pots to boil/sterilize water. But what you say makes sense. I didn't consider the weight of the cans.
 
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
Originally posted by: zinfamous
Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
You might want a can opener and some cans of food, just in case you get lost.
You also might want a second source of fire as well, just in case (Zippo lighter would be good, or maybe something like Swedish Firesteel)
Click to expand...

cans = bad. useless weight. Never, EVER go backpacking with cans in your pack.

bring dry, non-perishable foods in ziplock bags. dried fruits, nuts, grainy stuff FTW. also, powdered milk.
Click to expand...

Ahh, I just figured can's are good since they preserve meat, and you can use the cans as pots to boil/sterilize water. But what you say makes sense. I didn't consider the weight of the cans.
Click to expand...

ya. I suggested this several years ago when packing for a trip (my first extended backcountry hike) with a seasoned buddy of mine. He almost ripped my head off at the mere suggestion 😛

and after a 20-mile day, it sure made sense.
 
Lightwieght is the key for me....
I'm still working on getting my packwieght down
I'm a big fan of the Jetboil for cooking (damned near ruined mine last summer in a campground trying to use it drunk it almost melted in half and looks deformed now)

For packing it all depends on the Environs of where your going to be hiking...geography...time of the year...weather etc...

The lighter the better though is a good policy to follow...so if you wanna get a water filter or a Steripen (go with a steripen if you can getaway with it dependent on the turbidity of the water where your going to be).....

Lots of options as far as hiking goes I know people that don't give a crap about wieght and will haul the heaviest pack in the world around and they just don't give a shit about how much it wieghs...they gotta have their iron skillet hehe...

Thats the cool thing about hiking though is that you can figure out how you wanna do it and what you find most enjoyable...the options are pretty limitless.
 
since you are staying in a hotel in the valley that cuts your possible bear encounters while hiking to 0. You will only encounter bears if you are hiking in the wilderness, even then it is pretty rare. So you can dump all that stuff.
 
my suggestions
1. sunglasses
2. Body glide anti friction stick to prevent blisters and chafed skin for your feets.
3. a little mirror, use for signaling, just in case you get lost.
4. a whistle, just in case your twisted an angle, use to call for help; whistle is louder than using your voice.
5. a beanie
6. a light jacket, ie, windbreaker type.
 
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