Enchanted Valley hike

[Diane Pinkers]

It’s been a long time since I broke my pack apart and weighed everything.  I like to tinker, I’m fond of gadgets and new bits and pieces, and my pack weight has grown a little bit over the years.  I’m playing with the Lighterpack website, and put together this list for a 2 night solo hike into Enchanted Valley in Olympic National Park.  There will be bears.  Weather is supposed to be good, but it is the Pacific Northwest.  I’m also comfort minded, and a worrier, which pushes against my lightweight aims.  I doubt I’d ever be truly ultralight, but there may be places to cut back. My itty-bitty stuff tends to proliferate.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9wrptl

I’m pretty sure I’m using the website properly, but if someone familiar with it would comment:  what if you have options, and want to swap in and out for different trips?  It looked like I had to add it to the trip list, then remove it, but it would still be listed over in the Gear section on the left.  I’m guessing that’s because that’s the only way to designate what category an item is?

[Steven Paris]

Hi Diane!

The Enchanted Valley is great – although I’ve only approached it from Anderson rather than from Quinault side. There are definitely bears there, although they are generally docile (but maybe curious).

The things that stand out at first glance follow; I wouldn’t necessarily change them, just note that there are lighter options or the option to not take something. I guess I’m saying that the list is fine and doesn’t really need tinkering with unless a lower base-weight is your goal. You are really around 13 lbs (+/-) without the bear canister and the bear spray (things that are required/recommended here but not on most trips), so that might be a better way to think about it instead of the 16 lbs listed.

Bear spray: I’ve never taken bear spray to ONP, but I see bears each time. The canister is required in EV so no way around that.

There are lighter options than the S2S Pad.

You could lose the Evernew hose & valve and just carry a Sawyer filter, a bladder and a couple of bottles. That’s what I carry. Adequate water won’t be a problem.

You could probably leave the Garmin behind, only because you are likely to encounter other people and it’s difficult to get truly lost in the valley.

In the same row, you use the word “underwear” and “underpants.” C’mon Diane, pick one already.

You don’t really need the bath kit (except a small bottle of soap) on a 2-day trip.

You could lose HMG pods, put small items in ziplocs and everything else just shoved in the pack with no stuff sacks or pods.

 

[Diane Pinkers]

<p style=”padding-left: 30px;”>Thanks, Steven! I’ve been there before, and it is lovely. I wanted a hike where I didn’t have to sweat the details. The bears are not a threat, but Bill worries when I’m by myself, hence the bear spray and the Garmin. I’m jonesing for the Mini! Bill has a photo from when he was a scout in the 60’s and they used to just throw trash into pits at Enchanted Valley, and sit and watch the bears. It’s of the Boy Scouts, on the roof of a shelter, with a bear standing on its hind legs, with a mild expression like, “hey, whatcha doing up there?”</p>
I’m wrestling with the SS pad choice. I have a Neoair, but I’ve been too cold on it, too. I hate their valve as well, the SS with the big deflate valve is fantastic. If someone could make a 25 inch wide pad with an easy valve and an R of 4 for under a pound, I’d be all over it. 20 inches wide just doesn’t cut it for me anymore. The similar REI pad isn’t any lighter.

The bath kit: ridiculous, isn’t it? I cut down a pack towel, and the disposable sink is a disposable dog water bowl. I waffle on it for short trips, but on longer trips, it has been essential for preventing rashes. I know people say, just carry one bandana and use it for everything. I refuse to wash my face with the same object I wash my dirty legs and butt with.

Ha! I made you say underwear! Just like the Barenaked Ladies!

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