tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62812277862398001672011-11-27T17:08:06.583-08:00Backpacker's Guide to the Sierras.Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-61310019155285735752009-04-13T12:33:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:40:49.890-07:002009-04-13T12:40:49.890-07:00

Check out the photos! Yes, we got caught in a snow storm. All my buddy and I had to sleep under was a tarp. The snow would cause the tarp to sag until it rested on my nose. The pressure would wake me and I would have to knock the snow off the tarp before I could go back to sleep. That same weekend, several other backpacking groups in our area got trapped by the snow and had to be rescued.

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-36382435347099833412009-04-13T12:27:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:30:44.898-07:002009-04-13T12:30:44.898-07:00

One of the most miserable things that can happen on a backpacking trip is to get cold while you’re sleeping. When I go to bed cold, I tend to stay cold all night long. Here are several ways that I have found to insure that I stay warm all night long.Put on clean socks. You may not realize it, but your feet sweat even in cold weather. Get those damp socks off and get your feet into a clean

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-30960085893153759122009-04-13T12:17:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:26:22.885-07:002009-04-13T12:26:22.885-07:00

The further in you hike, the more rewarding the trip. At least that has been my experience when choosing a backpacking destination! Last summer, I was in the mood to get away from some of the more frequently traveled lakes in my “neck of the woods” so I chose Sadler Lake. I estimate that it’s about a 8-10 mile hike and I didn’t expect to see many people up there. Unfortunately, Sadler Lake is

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-53517313020734786562009-04-12T21:48:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:52:59.129-07:002009-04-12T21:52:59.129-07:00

My wife found these great boxed chili dinners at the grocery store. I was going on a really long backpacking trip by myself (about 12 miles in one day) and I knew that I needed to shave every ounce off of my pack weight that I could if I was going to make it. I decided to leave almost all of my cooking gear at home. All I brought was my 4 ounce stove, a half-empty canister of propane/butane

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-54596535973547274332009-04-12T21:04:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:46:34.640-07:002009-04-12T21:46:34.640-07:00

Here’s a little tip to bring some luxury to your next backpacking trip - bring your favorite wine. There are many brands and flavors that come packaged in mini plastic bottles that are easy to pack, fairly light weight, and unbreakable.A friend of mine did this on our last trip. He cooled the wine in a pot full of ice-cold lake water just before dinner. It sure beats drinking warm lake water

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-76451378117169243292009-04-12T20:58:00.000-07:002009-04-12T21:03:46.536-07:002009-04-12T21:03:46.536-07:00

I hate carrying a tent. I gave it up several years ago. When evaluating my backpacking gear and looking for things to leave at home to save weight, my tent stuck out as an unnecessary item. I know, tents are cool, and it’s nice to have a little privacy, but can you justify carrying the 5-7 lbs in the summer? That’s a huge percentage of your pack weight!I’ve been leaving my tent at home

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-21147527367137363472009-04-12T20:25:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:31:15.112-07:002009-04-13T12:31:15.112-07:00

Even if the weather looks good and you’re only hiking a few miles in, it never hurts to have a backup plan. Many unexpected events could lead you from the trail and it’s easy to get lost when you’re unfamiliar with the territory or unable to see landmarks because of tree cover or bad weather. Here’s a list of some lightweight and inexpensive items that may “save your bacon” one day.Compass and

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-71069976360136881452009-04-10T14:48:00.000-07:002009-04-10T14:55:26.063-07:002009-04-10T14:55:26.063-07:00

Here’s a peak with some views! The actual top of Castle Peak is a very interesting rock formation that looks like a stack of pancakes. This is a great day hike from the Chain Lakes of John Muir Wilderness.Elevation is 10,677″. No climbing gear is required.Click the Google Maps button below. It doesn’t show the 3D formation very well, but you’ll get an idea of how to get there and what the

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-19949321203416293562009-04-10T12:13:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:17:09.232-07:002009-04-10T12:17:09.232-07:00

This hike could take most of the day and it is fairly difficult but well-worth the trouble. I started at the Jackass trailhead on Beasore Road but you can also hike from Norris trail head. The trail disappears between Lower Jackass Lake and Upper Jackass Lake Lake so bring your topo.The hike is somewhere around 10 miles round trip and there is significant elevation change. It passes several

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-54526750239058586992009-04-10T12:05:00.001-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.695-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.695-07:00

If you are heading to Vandenberg Lake in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, it is worth the few extra minutes it takes to get to Lady Lake. Nestled at the bass of Madera peak, it is a great staging area for a day hike to the top of serveral peaks including Madera, Sing, and Gale. Just watch out for the Marmots… I had one eat my favorite hat last time I was there!DESTINATION:Lady Lake, Ansel Adams

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-25089702121653927142009-04-10T10:57:00.000-07:002009-04-10T11:01:55.228-07:002009-04-10T11:01:55.228-07:00

I just bought an REI Quarter Dome T2 Tent and tried it out last weekend. I was very impressed. Here’s the features I like about it.It is light weight (4 lbs 2 oz without the footprint.)It is free standing so its not necessary to bring the stakes.If you buy the footprint (13 oz), you can leave the tent body at home. Just use the footprint, poles, and rain fly for a 3 lb minimalist shelter!It has

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-26906104779599489822009-04-10T10:49:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.695-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.695-07:00

THE DESTINATIONUpper Jackass LakeAnsel Adams WildernessSierra National Forest THE DRIVETake Beasore Road out of bass lake about 1.5 hours. The trail head is Norris and it is about a 40 mile drive from Oakhurst, CA. I recommend taking a SUV or pickup due to the rough dirt road.THE HIKETrail conditions are good and the path is clearly markedBased on an average hiker’s pace, the hike will take you

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-79975645672058641352009-04-10T10:42:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:00

Destination: Lillian LakeMountains: Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaWilderness Area: Ansel Adams WildernessTHE DRIVEThe Fernandez Trail is about an hour and a half from Oakhurst and about 2 and a half hours from Fresno. Take Beasore road from bass lake. It is a long dirt road and a truck is recommended. The turn off to Fernandez trail head is clearly marked.THE HIKEThere are several trails to Lillian

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-38362098595013625082009-04-10T10:34:00.000-07:002009-04-10T10:39:54.670-07:002009-04-10T10:39:54.670-07:00

What You’ll NeedOne small onionOne small can of spam4 eggs 1 cup of dehydrated hash brownsSalt and Pepper How to PrepareBoil 1/2 cup of water and add to the hash browns.Let soak. In a pan, fry onions and spam until onions are soft. Use a small amount of water or cooking oil to keep the bottom of your stainless pan from overheating.Add hash browns and eggs and cook until eggs are done, stirring

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-6935429178086133422009-04-10T08:57:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:00

Don’t miss the day hike to Castle Peak. There is no trail so you’ll have to use your topo map, but it’s not far from the upper chain lake and it’s easy to find. Great views of Kings Canyon and many other peaks.THE DESTINATIONUpper Chain LakeJohn Muir WildernessSierra National ForestCalifornia THE DRIVERancheria trail headDrive out to Wishon reservoir from Shaver Lake and cross the reservoir dam

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-55613557999860460822009-04-10T08:22:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:002009-04-10T12:18:27.696-07:00

Chittenden Lake is fairly secluded and perfectly positioned to stage day hikes to Sing Peak, Madera Peak, and Gale Peak. From your camp, you will have views of many peaks as well as views of the high country in the distance. There is little vegetation so bugs will not be much of a problem. I recommend taking the trail to Vandenberg Lake rather than the Lillian Lake or the Walton Trail. That way

Savage Off-roadnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6281227786239800167.post-67392713030444966372009-04-09T15:47:00.000-07:002009-04-10T12:17:29.482-07:002009-04-10T12:17:29.482-07:00

If you’re planning on hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, you’ll want to prepare for it - for many it is the most physically challenging thing they’ll ever do. I hiked it again this morning (my 5th time) and scored a personal best. It took me 3 hours and 45 minutes to hike from Curry Village to the top of the “cables”. On the way up, I took the Mist Trail which would be better

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