Most of us lighten our packs for one reason - we want to change the way we hike. Maybe we want to go faster or farther, or maybe we just don't want to work as hard. The fact remains that we lighten our packs because we were not completely satisfied with the way our trips have gone in the past. Something had to change.
This is all well and good - the itch to switch motivates all sorts of positive developments. Every time I hike I return aware of deficiencies in my kit, and begin formulating shiny new ideas to correct them and save weight. Many of us find this process of incremental innovation compelling, at least to a point. Tweaking our gearlists and stitching and bending to create our own designs is a way to learn something new and capture a glimpse of the sense of discovery that the wilderness brings.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Setting the scene
- Gear Notes
- Shelter
- Packing
- Cook Kit
- Footwear
- Clothing
- Miscellaneous Gear Notes
- Acknowledgements
# WORDS: 4350
# PHOTOS: 9
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Discussion
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Hey Ben.
Great article. Lots of wit and insight.
The Weminuche is August is certainly an adventure, as you found out. I grined a lot while reading your article, because I have experienced it many times. Your description is very accurate. I commend you for staying with it and not bailing, and focusing on the adventure and cammaraderie instead of the misery at times. At the end of such a trip, that's what we remember the most, and you really hooked into that.
Best, Will.
You know what's REALLY weird? This is the sixth or seventh year we've backpacked in that part of Colorado in August, and it's the first time we've been rained on.
An enjoyable read. Probably everyone has friends/relatives who hike with "standard" gear. I kept thinking how some of my new gear would hold up, since I recently hiked in the Rawahs (N. Colorado cont. divide).
As for the author’s food and its weight – well, now I doubly won’t be tempted to try anything complex or heavy. The reader’s tip about salt at altitude may be a good one. I often munch on low fat corn chips on my tough hikes to good effect.
I was in Weminuche August 2011 with a buddy. We are both from San Antonio.
Thanks for the trip report. It helped me vividly remember our trip. Especially heavy rain, lightning, cold, and altitude change (our first night we were at 12,400 feet – a tad too much for me). More importantly, comraderie, closeness to nature, beauty, vistas. I think my food was better…
Q
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