Clothes:

Depending on the time of year and where you are going, a simple sarong can be a wonderfully light luxury item to bring along. Last year, Tim and I were lucky enough to raft down the Colorado River of the Grand Canyon and every evening after pulling into camp I would change into mine. It felt so good to get into something loose, light and dry. Sarongs are also great in the Sierra for cover ups around the lake, as a towel to dry off, for bathing, wetting and wrapping around your neck or head to stay cool, and so much more! It's one of those multi-use items that doesn't take up a lot of space but can add that vacation vibe to a trip. We're leaving for the Southwest this week to play some shows (my husband and I are both musicians) and are hoping to get some backcountry time in as well. Think I'll throw in a sarong and hope for warm weather!

Equipment:

A really fun thing to have in the backcountry, among other places, is a video camera to catch stuff on film (or our modern version of film :). Tim and I started documenting our adventures with the Flip Camera which was a great way to start the process. While the Flip is great at some things (ie. audio), it is not the best for action shots and requires you to hold it in your hand (tough to do while skiing). As we contemplated our situation, we decided to try GoPro Cameras last winter and have had a great time filming our outings ever since! Our friend and professional surfer, Holly Beck, takes great footage of herself surfing (comes with a waterproof casing) and tipped us off to these crafty little cameras. GoPros are super small, light and come with a variety of attachments that allows you to mount them on anything from your head, to your chest, surfboard or ski tips! They are very easy to use, reasonably priced and give a unique video style that makes your movies look artsy and interesting. Bonus?... you get tons of attachments and accessories included with purchase! Check out our latest video (uses both Flip and GoPro) and then be sure to stop by GoPro's website! http://www.goprocamera.com/

Check out Holly while you're at it! hollybecksurfs.blogspot.com/

Clothes:

So, my birthday is next week and I decided to gift myself something I have been needing (ok, wanting) for the last couple months. Patagonia's Nano Puff Pullover! I really have been NEEDING a replacement for my old, pilling fleece mid-layer and this seemed to be the perfect solution. My friend, Greg, swears by this piece and I think I can trust him on this one :) It is lightweight, water proof, wind proof, very compressible (stuffs into the chest pocket) and can be worn as an insulation or outer layer. My new upper body warmth plan (weather permitting) is to bring one wool or capilene base layer, the Nano and my puffy jacket. I think this should make for one toasty torso! The best part is you have two "down" pieces so when you turn your puffy jacket into a pillow (more on that later) you can still have a puffy piece on during the night if temperatures drop to the lows. This would also be a great for beach walks and day hikes or as your extra "emergency" layer. The Nano gets great reviews on Patagonia's website, calling it a "cult classic". AND it's on sale now!! Check it out...

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-womens-nano-puff-pullover?p=84025-1-760#BVRRWidgetID

Clothes:

Looking for the perfect hat? Let your search end here. Everest Designs makes beautiful, comfortable and functional hats that will suit your every need. These hats are hand made in Nepal by a women's knitting co-op working in a fair trade environment. Better yet, a portion of sales goes back to women's health and development programs in Nepal.

No matter the season, I always bring a winter hat for extra warmth. These are fully lined with plush, dense fleece and have a wool exterior that will shape naturally to your head. I've had mine for three years now and I have no future plans to replace it. Great for gifts too!

http://www.everestdesigns.net/

Clothes:

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you about spending time in the backcountry is: TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET! I mean it. Spoil your feet rotten. They are, in fact, your only mode of transportation out there! Since I have a few pins left in mine from an old surgery, I am super conscious of this. First of all, don't save weight on socks (my personal opinion). It is so important to have cozy, cushy, dry socks every day and each night. I'm not saying you can't hike a couple days in one pair (depending on the conditions) but you'll be sorry if you skimp on your feet. I've had a good run with Smartwool's Light or Medium Hiking Crew. Made of Merino Wool (ooh la la) they are not only comfy but have an arch brace that supports your foot and keeps things straight (no sock slippage here!). They dry quickly (hang in your tent at night for an "all natural" air freshener :), come in lots of cute colors (no reason not to have style on the trail :) and are very durable.

In addition to the right socks, other foot maintenance is also a vital part of keeping your feet happy. I like to designate a pair of "night socks" that will only be used at camp and while sleeping. It's important to get out of the socks you've been hiking in all day. Wanna go a step further? Bring along a travel size Gold Bond Powder and douse your feet and socks before putting on your clean pair. Ahhhhhh! It's tingly, refreshing heaven. If you really want to put the icing on the cake, throw a small pot of Tiger Balm (great for all sore body parts) in your pack (it's the size of chapstick) and rub your feet pre-powder and clean socks....you won't be sorry. Take care of your tootsies! They deserve it.

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/Womens/Socks/_/_/2002/

Hydration: Part 2

While I'm on the subject of hydration, I might as well take it one step further. If you're going to be in the backcountry for any amount of time longer than a day hike, it is important that you are able to hydrate well and often. In many places that are "still wild" it may not be necessary to filter and we can freely drink from streams and creeks. Most places, however, require some sort of water treatment before drinking. Many people choose to save weight and bring iodine tablets. I've actually never used them (too many icky stories from friends). From what I've heard, they make the water taste metallic and you cannot drink the treated water instantly. With this said, it is a good idea to carry iodine tablets in your medical kit just in case your filter breaks or is on the fritz. If you must use iodine, my friend Chloe always uses Raspberry Zinger Tea to mask the flavor :)

The first water filter I ever used was a choice ceramic filter belonging to Tim. While it does a great job filtering and is relatively easy to clean, it is rather heavy and requires a lot of love. Ceramic filters are fragile when you are working on them which increases your chance of breaking them, so if you have one of these.....handle with care!

We stumbled upon our newest choice by chance. Last summer, Tim and I were heading out to Yosemite when we realized we had only brought iodine tabs. It also happened to be late in the season so our chances of finding clean water were minimal. We pulled into the last little store in the park and bought the only water filter they had (it didn't hurt that it was 60% off!). We really didn't know much about this model (though Katadyn is a very reputable brand), but took the chance on the Katadyn Vario. Wow, were we pleasantly surprised! While this filter still has a small ceramic part, it's main component is a glass fiber and charcoal filter which makes for a much lighter load! The pump handles well, pumps smoothly, can handle even the muckiest water and is compatible with all kinds of bottles and bladders. I highly recommend this water filter. It makes pumping water in the backcountry so much easier...even fun! Check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqXFr27KRO8

Hydration:

Carrying water in the backcountry is tricky business. You might not think so but varying seasons and personal preference can lead you down many different roads. I started my backpacking experience toting around the ever so popular Camelback so many of us have come to adopt. I must say that for a while there, I was really liking the convenience of the hose right on my shoulder, felt I drank more often and liked the idea of an out of sight water contraption. My contentment, however, came into question as we began approaching warmer seasons. Suddenly that convenient hose began delivering an unpleasant stream of plastic tasting water. Not what you want when you have some of the best tasting water on the planet at your finger tips (thanks Sierra Nevada!) My faith in Camelbacks continued to decline when my husband busted through 3 bladders in one season! Needless to say, we opted to ditch our tender water bags and move on to buffer territories.

I'm sure Klean Kanteens are no stranger to you after the whole Nalgene plastic scare. People have been making the switch from plastic to stainless steel bottles in both urban and rural environments all over. I love the clean, flavorless water you get from a Klean Kanteen. No "funky" flavors there! Now, I know what you're thinking..."my Camelback is so convenient and easy to use! I'll never switch." I'll admit, using a metal bottle while backpacking took some getting used to. At first I clumsily struggled getting it in and out of my backpack during hikes or needed constant assistance from fellow hikers. "Hey...can you hand me my water bottle?" :) Now, I'm as quick as Clint Eastwood on the draw, effortlessly pulling my metal bottle out and in all on my own! In my opinion, it's definitely worth retraining your brain and getting the muscle memory for it. If you're afraid you won't drink as much water with a metal bottle, they just came up with a new "sport cap" that some of my friends are really digging. Whether you're in the backcountry a lot or a little, everyone needs a Klean Kanteen to help keep the planet green! They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. There's bound to be one for you.

http://www.kleankanteen.com/index.php

Howdy Friends:

Well, I never thought I would have a blog of my own but when a friend of mine asked me to put together a supply list for her first backpacking trip to Yosemite, I figured I might as well do it for other beginning, interested and enthused backpackers!

To begin, let's get some things straight. I did not grow up going on camping trips with my family. I never slept in tents aside from summer camp and I certainly never thought I would become an avid backpacker and outdoors woman! When I met my husband, he introduced me to a world that is still wild and I have been devouring it ever since. I would like to share what I have learned about spending time in the backcountry with those of you who have the interest but may be a little gun shy to get started. My goal is to give you all the tips on outdoor equipment, clothing, food and gear to make your time in the backcountry an experience that will keep you coming back. The most important thing that I have learned is you can be just as comfortable in the outdoors as you are indoors as long as you have the right stuff.

Gear:

If you're planning on doing any kind of backpacking, be it one night or 14, a good backpack is one of the most crucial pieces of gear. If you are up in your attic digging out your older brother's external frame pack from the '80s (I say this from experience), stop right there and check out Osprey Backpacks! These packs are lightweight, super comfortable, carry well and come in 3 torso sizes and 4 hipbelt sizes which can be customized to fit you perfectly! Having a pack that fits you will make your outdoor experience worlds better, after all, you are carrying ALL your stuff in it! These packs are sleek, have a great packing capacity and are durable even in the most rugged environments. I have the Ariel 65 and have been really happy with it. I think the best part is that you can fit everything inside which makes for a tidy pack. Hanging stuff off your pack is typically not a good idea. It will throw your weight off, catch on tree branches and you risk losing or damaging those items. Imagine how bummed you would be getting into camp only to find a tear in your precious sleeping pad. Keep it tight with an Osprey Pack. You won't be sorry!

http://www.ospreypacks.com/

*One more thing...remember to get a pack raincover for those surprise showers! It's a must!

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/OspreyAddOns/ULRaincover/

Clothes:

This is an item I am coveting. When you're in the backcountry, layering is a must. Being ready for the unexpected is one thing you can expect. I typically always bring two bottom base layers for those chili nights but why bring two when you could just pack one! This is Patagonia's warmest bottom baselayer, a Capilene 4 expedition weight. Keep your legs toasty with minimal weight. The best part is...they are recyclable through Common Threads Recycling Program when their life is over! Patagonia has TONS of amazing clothing for the outdoors, and though it's expensive, their warranties and customer service make it all worth while!

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-womens-capilene-4-expedition-weight-bottoms-long-johns-underwear?p=43517-0-155