For anyone curious about losing weight off the backpack, here is an excellent video to get you motivated from Dave Collins with CleverHiker.com.
This is part one of a series. Dave offers the entire series for $24.95. Click here>> for more info.
Category Archives: Backpacking
Is Less Better?
Proper planning helps avoid heavy loads
When I first started as an Assistance Scout Master (ASM) with our Troop, there wasn’t a strong emphasis on backpacking. Backpacking was one of many events the boys participated in; some Scouts embraced backpacking while others dreaded it.
Not that there wasn’t an interest in backpacking, there simply was not an emphasis on decentralized, self-sufficient camping.
Recently, however, a few enthusiastic leaders among the Troop surfaced which has seemed to kick-start the backpacking program into a higher gear.
In the last few months, over 25 Boy Scouts have gone on at least one of the backpack trips I’ve led and show interest of going again. Out of the 25 boys, at least half of the group want to explore ways to reduce their pack base weight Continue reading
Avoid The Crowd — Go Stealth
One of my “stealth camps”
Fortunately, I live 5 minutes from mountain trails that lead hikers from desert-like chaparral to cool, riparian canyons, streams, rich wildlife and… lots of people. Hey, it’s LA after all
The farther I hike into the hills, the thinner the crowds. Most of the local backpacking camps are about 3 miles in from the trailhead. By Friday night, most camps are full; on Saturdays, finding an actual campsite (picnic table, fire ring and tidy, tent-size dirt lot), is nearly impossible, especially during warmer months.
One way I beat the crowds, tent cities
How To Make a Freezer Bag Cozy
Step-by-step video on how to make a cozy
If you are an ultralight backpacker, you probably already know the benefits of freezer bag cooking. For those looking for ways to save weight and simplify your back country meals, you may want to consider freezer bag cooking and making your own freezer bag cozy.
In this video, I show you step-by-step instructions on how to Continue reading
Teaching Boys To Fish
Evan, a Scout, volunteered to be the Grub Master. He did extremely well and should be proud.
One of the more tedious jobs of preparing for a group backpack trip of 16 is meal planning and preparation. It takes a lot of thought, planning and staging to prepare for even a weekend.
Due to time, Amber and I usually do all the work. This time, I asked for a volunteer and one of our scouts raised his hand. Continue reading
Shakedown and Cozy Building
Here I am explaining to the Scouts and parents the advantages of freezer bag cooking and cozy
We had a full house of scouts and parents as we picked through each pack to help determine what gear is best for the upcoming backpack trip. I tell each Scout that I only make suggestions and leave it up to them to decide to take my advice or not.
I was proud to see that no scout showed up with more than 16 pounds of base weight. Granted, no shelters were handed out as of tonight, but weather permitting, we plan on bringing a few tarps and calling them “home” and “shelter.” Continue reading
Summiting Mt. Wilson with Scouts — April 12-14, 2013
Chantry to Eaton Canyon via Mt. Wilson
Assigning the Pace Setter, Navigator and Sweep. Click here for all photos.
All us backpackers met at Chantry Flats and did last shakedown in the parking lot. I handed out crew gear and had the four scouts decided themselves Continue reading
Troop 4 High Sierra Backpack
Wednesday, July 11th – Day 1
Only five of us Scouts and Scouters this year. Click here for more photos
After a four-hour drive up Hwy 395 in 100° heat, we arrived at Horseshoe Meadows Campground above Lone Pine, CA. The crew spent about an hour Continue reading