READERS COMMENTS

always bring an axe !
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 Grady

always bring a tent
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 Grady

I do not like iodine tablets I prefer the sweetwater purification system
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 Grady

Plastic trowel for potty duty.

A lightweight water filter is much faster than tablets, and the iodine tabs leave a funky taste.

Weight be damned, never go into the backcountry without a fixed-blade knife.
Posted: Jul 12, 2011 Adam

I carry an original swiss army knife in my first aid kit. It only has 1 small blade, nail file/screwdriver, toothpick, small tweezers and a pair of scizzors. It's very compact and weights 1 oz. Great multi-use tool for cutting 550/paracord, trimming moleskin, setting a sunglass screw, filing down cracked fingernails, pulling splinters, getting corn out from between your teeth, etc. A very compact and lightweight insurance policy. Be prepared!
Posted: Jul 08, 2011 IL Scouter

unless you really know what your doing going into the sticks without a knife could be bad for your health in one way or another
Posted: Jul 01, 2011 Alex Mercer

A razor blade is no substitue for a good knife.
Posted: Jun 25, 2011 Anonymous

Is a backcountry permit difficult to get for this area or is it easy?
Posted: Apr 12, 2011 Tom

good gear list
Posted: Mar 27, 2011 billy bob

ooops sent it 3 times

Posted: Mar 23, 2011 jake eisenman

im 13 and the first time i went backpacking my pack was 30 il now it is 10 lb heres how if u go to hikelight.com and are willing to spend a littel bit of money u can get the best backapcking gear i got my pack to weight 10 lb for a week with food water every thing with out giving up confort but i bought the mat (neo air)and the pot titanium snow peak 600 pot some where else they where lighter and i made an my own stove .
Posted: Mar 23, 2011 jake eisenman

Iodine tablets are so small, why would you risk getting sick in the back country?
Posted: Mar 06, 2011 Jim Cheney

I would never go anywhere in the outdoors with out a multitool or a pocket knife. I think its crazy not to!!
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 rich

I live in the Sierras and even with treating my water somewhere between Glacier NP and Tahoe I got ghiardea. You do not want this. Treat your water or get ready to shit yourself. Seriously.
Posted: Sep 14, 2010 Anonymous

Electronic water purification devices such as MIOX and Steri-Pen are proven successful - work great, are light weight & small volume (I use MIOX), BUT they depend on batteries- you need a back up, such as tablets, .
Posted: Sep 04, 2010 JP

hey guys...all sound advice...except the "drink the untreated water" stuff. That's bad mojo, dude or dudette. One needs the "tasmanian two step" experience only once to get a clue...do not take the chance. A few sips & spit is the wise routine. It's the cows, sport! Desolation is one of the spots where caution may be thrown to the wind...had two weeks this summer with no ill drills! No knife...a joke, verdad? Being an ounce counter is one thing, being stupid is a whole other issue...good luck with that.
Posted: Sep 01, 2010 the buckaroo

Underware optional? Seems like packing a la commando would equal some bad chafing.
Posted: Sep 01, 2010 Chris

Trowel?
Posted: Aug 31, 2010 Flemdawg1

No knife - I agree - useless! In over fifty years of backpacking/climbing, I have only used a knife for cutting block cheese [precut or use your teeth]and cutting wood shavings for starting a fire [use fire starter]. I use a small first aid sissors for cutting moleskin, clothing and cord.
Posted: Aug 31, 2010 Dick R

always filter and carry a hammock or a solo tent. freeze fried food and pocket rocket with fuel canisters. duct tape on a pencil and small first aid kit, trekking poles and a camera. 32 pounds or less dependent on how long I am out and food I need. Of course that weight diminishes as trek progresses. bear canister too so I don't fret losing the chow to night stalkers. hike light ..hike long.
Posted: Aug 22, 2010 larry bell

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