July 1972	SUGGESTIONS FOR BACKPACKERS	       by Les Earnest


These are my suggestions to the novice backpacker for what to  bring.
After the first trip, make your own list.

WEAR OR BRING THE FOLLOWING

1.  A couple of shirts and some loose fitting trousers.

2.  Either a sweater and a nylon shell or a rainproof jacket.

3.  A backpack that couples the load to your hips  rather  than  your
shoulders.

4.  A down sleeping bag (2 to 3 lbs.).

5.   A tube tent and nylon cord.  This can serve as a ground cloth in
good weather and as a marginal shelter in case  it  rains  (it  often
does up there).

6.   A pair of hiking boots, preferably broken in.

7.  One or more changes of underclothing  plus  either  one  pair  of
socks  for each day (on short hikes) or 3 pairs to be recycled (wear,
wash, dry).  Some people with sensitive feet like to wear  two  pairs
of socks at a time to reduce abrasion.

8.  A Sierra Cup (preferably with  a  "1  measuring  cup"  line)  and
eating utensils (metal plate or bowl, knife, fork, and spoon).  The
Sierra Cup hooks on your belt, permitting a fast draw when you come
to a sparkling stream.

9.  Bandaids and/or moleskin for blisters, chapstick, sunburn lotion,
insect repellant.

10.  Toilet paper.  A small roll will do.

11.  Matches, preferably waterproof.

12.  Trail snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, M&Ms, apples, oranges.

13.  A toothbrush, if you believe in that sort of thing.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

A  good  general  rule is "don't bring anything that you won't use at
least twice". You might want to take some of the following, but there
will be times when you regret every ounce.

1.  A small camera with extra film.

2.  A small sharp knife.

3.  A piece of sponge rubber or insulite to put your sleeping bag on.
It  should be big  enough to  support your torso.  Alternatively, you
could bring an air matress, but they often leak.

4.   Topographic  maps  of  the hike area.  Get the 15 minute series,
available at the Geological  Survey  office,  345  Middlefield  Road,
Menlo Park.

5.   Starr's  Guide  to  the  John  Muir  Trail, available at Keplers
bookstores.

6.  A roll of adhesive tape or electrical tape, for tube tent rigging
and general repairs.

7.  Sunglasses.

8.  A small flashlight.

9.  A  small  plastic water bottle, for dry climbs.

10.  A hat with wide brim, for sunburn protection.

11.  Light fishing gear.

12.  A pair of slippers or other light footgear to relax in.

13.  A light tent, for mosquito protection.

14.  A compass.

THINGS NOT TO BRING

In my opinion, the  weight  of  the  following  items  exceeds  their
usefulness.

1.  Any clothing beyond bare essentials.

2.  Shovels, hatchets, ice axes, and hunting knives.

3.  Canteens.  There is water nearly everywhere in the Sierra.

4.  Binoculars or  radios.   The  latter  seldom  work  well  in  the
mountains anyway.