October Backpacking

[Wandering Daisy]

It is the long dark nights that discourages me most in October. Just too much tent time. Cold is fine as long as it does not get cold at 5PM! We are going to do the "Great Eastern Sierra Drive" starting next Wed., staying in our new travel trailer and day-hiking and fishing. The tentative plan is Markleville, Bridgeport, Bishop, Lone Pine- then either backtrack or go around the south end and hit Sequoia and Yosemite on the way home. This will be a new experience for me -light and warmth in the evening. I just hope all the fall colors are not gone by the time we go. Now I just have to worry about snow on the roads.

[dave54]

...3. SPOT, sat-phone, GPS, etc. can be valuable assets if snow does come....

I have never considered those things as last-resort emergency lifesavers. They are toys that are interesting and make life a bit easier, but not essentials.

My emergency backup gear is a signal mirror, whistle, and map/compass, with frequent practice to keep the skills sharp.

[Cross Country]

I used to backpack 30 - 40 days a year from May to Sep. I took 2 trips in Oct. to the Kern River at 5K.
It was still too cold and not enough daylight for me. It just felt like I was trying to prove something to myself and I have enough of that in the other parts of my life and those without feeling so cold.

Everyone is different. Enjoy yourselfs.

[oldranger]

Cross Country

Welcome back!

Mike

[rrrice]

Just back from a short trip into Sabrina Basin. This is by far the latest in the season I've ever gone into the backcountry. I had read this thread before going, so was mindful and prepared for of all the potential issues for a trip this late in the year. The issue I was most concerned about was how I would tolerate the cold. Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. The only time I felt very cold was after getting up in the morning. I didn't feel cold during the night at all. The difficulty for me was the long night in the tent. Not that enjoyable. On the positive side the weather was beautiful and we saw relatively few people. There were quite a few day hikers probably due to the good weather and the fact that it was a weekend. Just saw one backpacker's camp from a distance. If we could have timed the trip for mid-week I doubt we would have seen anyone. If I ever go on another trip this time of year I will make it for mid-week.

[KathyW]

I really like long tent nights - it seems like the only time I get enough sleep is when I backpack, but I don't like the short days in the fall and winter. If I could only have long days and long nights, it would be perfect. I also pack audiobooks. I have eight apple ipod shuffles; so I can pack 8 books if I want too. I think they run about 15 hours each and weigh almost nothing.

[rlown]

I have eight apple ipod shuffles; so I can pack 8 books if I want too. I think they run about 15 hours each and weigh almost nothing.

"The new adventures of Sherlock Holmes" My favorites.. 1940ish but I like them. A half hour each.

I prefer to try and sleep though.

[tomba]

One thing to do during long nights is night photography. Long exposures and light painting. Running around and waving a light frantically while shutter is open helps warm up.

To maximize the use of daylight during late season trips, I get up way before sunrise, eat breakfast in the dark, and start going half hour before sunrise, when it is quite bright. At least this is the intent - sometimes I end up late. Sleeping bag is usually a bit moist, and tent sometimes too, so I dry them out at a later stop. I find campsite around sunset. Sometimes later, usually unintentionally. Moonlight helps. So instead of spending time enjoying the campsite location, I stop mid day in nice spots on the way.