High Sierra Topix

Many folks go out into a central location and from there go one longer day
hikes to check out a basin near-by, climb a peak, or other features of interest
to them in the area.

Besides making sure that these day hikes are included in the itinerary that you
left at home , do you take all the gear that you will need with you to survive
away from your basecamp in case you get injured?

Many times I have seen hikers in the back-country only carrying water, a few
bars (or other snacks), possibly clothing, and a flash light, that's it.

What do you carry on you excursions when away for several hours, and miles
away from base camp?

Do you carry shelter? Pancho tart for example.

What about pad and sleeping bag?

Extra meals and stove?

Enough clothing to survive several nights in the open if injured?

What about a first aid kit?

How prepared are you when going out on day hikes?

I'd say that if you're carrying your sleeping bag and pad and stove, your not basecamping.

i like the pancho idea, but if it's threatening, my fleece and rain gear works fine.

I watched you, Mav, walk up out of Island/Finger lk to what i recall was the three sisters. Not sure that was on your itinerary, but at least you were successful. You had two others with you on that excursion.

The one thing you left of the list of questions was "take a friend."

I'd also add that if you go away from your basecamp, leave a note in your tent about where approximately you were heading. Yeah, carry a pen and paper. That'll be faster than calling a distraught loved one at home asking "where is s/he?"

Russ

Yes, a friend is good, but my main concern here is solo Russ, should have
clarified, updated subject to reflect this.

Even when I am "basecamping" all my stuff goes with me when exploring. So yeah that isnt basecamping i guess. The only time I have deviated from that and left my tent/bag/pad I spent the night on rock. Murphy law.

I don't bag peaks much so I don't do many day hikes out there that have much risk involved.

I personally do not take a bag, stove, or shelter though. Those are what constitute the basecamp.

I think part of this decision should be based on weather patterns. I wouldn't leave behind my shelter if I felt like there was a reasonable chance that a storm would come in while I was gone. Conversely, I think the Sierra is a fairly forgiving mountain range so even spending a night without shelter in the middle of summer would most likely not be too dangerous, moreso just very unpleasant. I understand that some people might find that assumption to be irresponsible.

During my previous backpacking trips that involved day hikes (flyfishing) from a given base camp, I have actually left my sleeping pad, tent, and food (bearbin) at base camp.

I do take along my backpack that contains first aid kit, water filter, fishing gear, my jetboil, toilet paper, beanie, gloves, some wool long undershirts/pants in dry bag, extra wool socks, headlamp, and 1 extra meal than needed just in case I need to stay longer. Basically, everything except the 3 items i listed above.

When I go fly fishing for a day in local waters here in So Cal, I carry the same gear in dry bags in my day pack when im in my waders. So, I find it only natural to carry the same stuff when I day hike from a base camp in the Sierras.

Here is me in uniform and gear on a day hike/flyfishing in the good ol Angeles National Forest. You can see my default pack I go everywhere with. It would be the same in the Sierras regarding day hiking from a base camp, but instead of the day back, it would be my backpack minus tent, food, and sleeping gear.
FYI, I'm nymphing a deep pool about 4-5 ft deep on the opposite side of the bank where I am.

Day hiking from a basecamp is a common practice on my backpacks, but I don't go solo all that often. I do list potential day hikes on my itinerary, but don't bring along all my gear. Day pack with a pancho (my rain gear anytime) , fleece, some snacks, fishing gear, water filter and bottle, head lamp, and my camera. I do carry matches or a lighter as I do enjoy my pipe while contemplating the hatch so I could have a fire if possible. The decision to do a day hike is based on previous and predicted weather. If the weathers bad I cancel the day hike or come hack earlier, but I have been caught a few times away from camp in some good storms. Spent a couple of hours in upper Pioneer Basin in a pancho lean to with a buddy, many years ago, but we had a blast watching the storm roll in from our make do shelter.

..

Mdmustang302 wrote:
When I returned I found someone had gone through my stuff and taken my trekking
poles, headlamp, and water filter..

Man, that is so lame.

Yeah I was definitely not a happy camper haha..