Getting Back to Backpacking

Backpacking and camping basics and other general trip planning discussion for the uninitiated. Use this forum to learn where to look for the information you need, and to ask questions, related to the beginner basics of backpacking and camping, including technique and best practices.
User avatar
SoxGolf00
Topix Novice
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:20 am
Experience: N/A

Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by SoxGolf00 »

Hi everyone, I'm getting back to my roots. I grew up hiking on the JMT trail yet stopped in High School when I went in to sports full time. I have hiked a few times over the past few years (with my dad who still hikes - Everest, Kilimanjaro, Grand Canyon), but now at 37, I want to get back to the healthy way of life. Hiking for me is relaxing and a way to "disconnect" from this society we all live in. I am able to hike longer distances with gradual incline but the steeper grades tend to put a lot of stress on my knee.

I live in SoCal and will be training for the lake hikes on the JMT but starting out in Peters Canyon, Laguna Canyon and Silverado. Are these enough to help train for the Agnew Meadows to Ediza Lake trails? I'm a little out of shape at the moment but I have the type of body that bounces back after a few trail hikes. What are your recommendations for training and how long do you think before I can do that first trip (Agnew to Ediza)?

Also, I don't want to pack too much for the overnighter but what is a great reference for what would actually be required to bring?

I have the basics:
Internal Frame pack
proper clothing
Convertible pants
hiking shoes
Jetboil stove
food (how much would I really need?)
bear container
Poles
sleeping bag
filter
water
first aid
wipes
knife
compass
phone
watch


What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 1- Minimal hiking
Level 2- Some backpacking trips, using trails

What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Class 1 terrain/trail hiking
- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country

What is your main interest?
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery
- Photography


How many days/nights is your trip, not including travel to trailhead? - Overnight to start
Did you prefer a loop or out and back trip? Loop
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by maverick »

HiSoxGolf00,

Welcome to HST!
Tent or tarp, and rain gear are some of the major things missing. Acclimating to
the elevation is an important consideration. Also avoiding the high point of the
mosquito season.
Agnew to Ediza is about 6.5 miles with an elevation gain of 925 ft. Not a very
difficult trail if one is in decent shape. Depends how out of shape you are now, have
you been working out in the gym or doing any type of cardio (biking or running)?
If yes, than start hiking and slowly introduce weight to your pack working up to the
pack weight you expect to carry on your trip or above. This way you legs, hips,
ankles, and other body parts will be accustomed to the weight, use hiking poles to
avoid any unnecessary stress on you knees.
This thread may give you some ideas: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2106" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also check out our "Backcountry Food Topix" sections for food ideas.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
larroyo33
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:15 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: San Diego
Contact:

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by larroyo33 »

Going on weekend hikes is definitely a good way to train for your backpacking trips. As it gets closer to when you are planning on going on your backpacking trip(s), I would recommend going on some day hikes at higher elevations. Luckily in SoCal, you do not have to go very far to do this. Mount Islip, Mount Hawkins, Mount Baden-Powell, and Mt. Baldy are all good day hikes in the San Gabriels that will get you to between 8,000 and 10,000 ft elevation.

I also have really bad knees, so I wear two knee braces (http://www.amazon.com/Bracoo-Breathable ... knee+brace" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) whenever I go hiking and if I know there will be a decent amount of gain I also use poles.
User avatar
SSSdave
Topix Addict
Posts: 3523
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 11:18 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Silicon Valley
Contact:

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by SSSdave »

Best to get in shape gradually instead of in chunks.

A minor stat improvement to what would be correct for seagulls. Ediza Lake is 2824 meters or 9265 feet. Agnew Meadows is 2525 meters or about 8280 feet. However one must drop down to the middle fork canyon bedrock at about 2465 or 8090 then climb up 1175 feet plus another maybe 25 feet of up and downs along Shadow Creek and 50 feet behind Ediza to reach legal camping for maybe 1250 feet total.
User avatar
SoxGolf00
Topix Novice
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:20 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by SoxGolf00 »

Thanks everyone for the information. I am in decent shape now. I did some gradual hiking in Laguna Canyon which is a 925ft climb. I know. Not much but it's enough to start off. I am definitely taking the advice of others and gradually getting to a longer, harder hike. Don't want to kill myself and lose interest. :)
User avatar
cahikr
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:39 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Cypress, Ca.

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by cahikr »

I agree with the the others here, work up to it gradualy keep the hikes short and low, work up to higher elevations then begin increasing the mileage. The Big Bear area has some easy trails that are gradual climbs to gain some decent elevation.
User avatar
scottawr
Topix Novice
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:51 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by scottawr »

You should check out the mt. Baldy and icehouse canyon hikes they have a little more elevation gain and great mountain scenery.
User avatar
larroyo33
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:15 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: San Diego
Contact:

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by larroyo33 »

I just hiked to Ediza from Agnew Meadows on Monday. I agree with SSSDave. There was about 3 or 4 up and downs going along Shadow Creek, and most of the good legal campsites are on a hill above the lake, so the total gain for the day was around 1300 to 1400 ft.

After doing the hike, I think the perfect warm up hikes in SoCal would to Mount Islip or Mount Hawkins from Islip Saddle on the Crest Highway or in Big Bear to hike up to Grand View Point or the hike to Bertha Peak via the Cougar Crest Trail. Make sure to hike with some extra weight in your pack to get used to that feeling as it gets closer.
User avatar
sparky
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:01 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by sparky »

My training hikes are in the mt san jacinto area, easy one is devils slide to saddle junction, medium one is fuller ridge to san jacinto peak and the tough one is deer springs trail to san jacinto peak. Check them out, and its at elevation. Fuller Ridge has an amazing view of the north face of mt san jacinto
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: Getting Back to Backpacking

Post by Wandering Daisy »

If knees are the issue, then simply go slow, take rests every hour, carry a light pack and learn to properly use trekking poles (REI has classes). It is quite easy to get the "base weight" of your pack to 18-20 pounds or under and then 1-1.5 pounds of food per day is easy if you use all dried food and some freeze dried food. In August you are not going to need a lot of clothing. If weather reports are good, you could eliminate heavy rain clothes or even eliminate a tent and only take a small silicon-nylon tarp or poncho. For August backpacking on good trails trail running shoes work fine and do not require a lot of "break-in".

I have never bought into the need to do a lot of getting in shape before backpacking. Just plan short days. The best "conditioning" for backpacking is simply to backpack. You really do not need to get all the way to Ezida Lake come "hell or high-water". No ranger would expect you to walk in the dark, dead tired, limping, just to meet your permit. It is pretty easy to reach that destination in a day, but if you do not it isn't the end of the world.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests