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Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:15 am
by dbogey
I'm leaving for a 5 day hike next week into the Rae Lakes / 60 Lakes basin area and wanted to know about leaving gear at established sites while day hiking. Anyone have problems with other groups coming by and removing/taking your gear?

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:15 am
by Jimr
Never.

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:13 am
by The Other Tom
Never had a problem or heard of anyone who did. Backpackers tend to be honest folks. Besides, if they picked up something of yours they would have to pack it out :)

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:18 am
by rlown
The loss of gear or stuff happens at bear boxes near a road or trail-head. A friend lost his tennis shoes at the stables in Tuolumne. Go figure.

Back country, I agree with the other comments. Never. Besides, I would be at the ranger station reporting it as theft and asking for a history of permits for the area. :p

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:52 am
by SSSdave
Question comes up occasionally. Leaving ordinary gear out in view while off day hiking from one's campsite is generally safe. However that is to a degree. Only a fool would leave something small and expensive like a high end camera laying out in clear view. Or a stack of $20 or one's cars keys. In other words don't increase temptations beyond what is normal. Also the closer to a popular trailhead, especially with lots of day hikers, the more likely someone with less ethical behaviors might happen by. So the further one is out in the backcountry, the further from trails or popular lakes, the further away from thru trails, the less likely one might have a issue.

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:38 pm
by Wandering Daisy
I do worry sometimes, but mostly about the 4-legged beasties. At some heavily used campsites the marmots can get very bold and they love to chew on anything that has salt (backpack shoulder straps, for example). And if there is heavy bear activity, I may also worry- not sure you can get every last smell of food out of your tent. Bears do most of their prowling at night though. If you are worried about people, just camp out of sight of the trail- better a 10-15 minute walk from the trail. As a habit left over from backpacking in areas with more bad weather, I always stuff my sleeping bag and then roll the sleeping pad around it and set it in the middle of the tent. If a big storm were to blow down my tent the sleeping bag has a better chance of staying dry. I always zip up the vestibule and check all tie-downs to be sure the tent is solidly anchored.

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:43 pm
by maverick
You should be okay, but if you are worried, basecamp up at Dragon Lake instead of the main Rae Lakes, it is very pretty, and offers more solitude. ;)

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:49 pm
by dbogey
maverick wrote:You should be okay, but if you are worried, basecamp up at Dragon Lake instead of the main Rae Lakes, it is very pretty, and offers more solitude. ;)
Thats what I'm planning on doing. One night in sixty lakes and another at Dragon. Trying to put together a great trip for my daughter before she heads off to college. I have 6 six days to roam. Really wanted to get over Gardiner Pass and come out at 60 lakes but don't know how difficult that would be for her.

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:57 pm
by maverick
Really wanted to get over Gardiner Pass and come out at 60 lakes but don't know how difficult that would be for her.
What is her experience? You could just climb to the top of Sixty Lake Col from Sixty Lakes Basin, and then get a decent view into upper Gardiner Basin.

Re: Leaving gear at campsite while day hiking

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:59 pm
by dbogey
maverick wrote:
Really wanted to get over Gardiner Pass and come out at 60 lakes but don't know how difficult that would be for her.
What is her experience? You could just climb to the top of Sixty Lake Col from Sixty Lakes Basin, and then get a decent view into upper Gardiner Basin.
She's a crosscountry runner and has pretty good stamina so that may be a a good choice. Thanks.