Gear

Backpacking Chart to Gauge Water, Gear and Physical Conditioning
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At any givin time, we have in inventory in our "Outfitters Shack":
- 16 Assorted Sized Backpacks
- 8 Assorted Sized-Outfitted Tents
- 2 Fannypacks
- 3 H2O Bladders
- 2 Stoves (1 MSR & 1 Coleman 2 burner)
- 4 liters propane & 1 liter alcohol fuel & gallons of Coleman fuel
- 1 Fully Collapse-able/Convertible Single Action Lion/Bear/BadGuy Surpressor- .20ga/JackRabbit Wacker-.22lr) interchangeable barrels..in it's own pouch!
- 2 Dozen Assorted Knives
- SportCat Heater
- Endless firestarters and Support Equipment like camp dishes and utensils; camp commode; lanterns (12-15 incl Swiss Army Lanterns); hatchets; camp saws; camp shovels; maps, GPS's, binoculars, night vision scope; walkietalkies; gallons of Coleman fluid; bottles of propane; cases of batteries; Kevlar string & other twine; freeze dried meals;

Here in North Central New Mexico, the varying conditions, the sun, the dry-ness and elevation all make it nessesary to be outfitted correctly or be in trouble.

Varying Conditions-

-On July 3rd, 2007, we camped on Capilla Peak, just over 9,000 ft in the Manzano's sought of Albuquerque. It's part of the Mountainair Ranger District. As we passed thru Mountainair at about 3pm, it was 94 degrees.

At about 3am that night, remember, on July 3rd ...it was in the 30's!!

-The next thunderstorm is just around the next mountain so always have spots in the back of your mind to 'hunker down'. .or 'hunker up' ..if you sense you're in a flash flood zone.

-Calm one moment, gale winds the next. Wind robs us of warmth. Be, always, prepared for strong winds, especially in the Rocky Mountains in Spring!

The Sun-

-Even in the high desert here in New Mexico, the sun is brutal! It can cook us, cause exposure related problems ...and mostly dehydrate a backpacker. Many times ..especially when it's seemingly cool, we don't even realize that we're not drinking enough. Make sure to pack in enough water or be absolutely sure of water supply and be able to treat/boil potable H20. Sun stroke happens!

Dry..ness-

-New Mexico is the dry-est state in the US! Another reason, combined with the effects of the sun, to pack in more H20 than you think you may need. Dehydration is a big cause of heat prostration (sun stroke). Hydrate more than you might think you need to.

Elevation-

-We're in the Rocky Mountains and elevations in the state range, believe it or not, from a low of just under 4,000 ft, down in the South of the State ..to well in excess of 13,000 ft above Taos. Here, and where we do lots of backpacking ranges between 6,300 here and 12,500 feet.
Be in shape and don't under estimate ascents OR descents. Acclimate by being for a minimum of a day, two days hopefully, at elevation. Then ..go slowly if you're not used to the elevation.

Elevation sickness happens to the best of us! Make sure, again, to hydrate more than you think you may need to. Ingest enough electrolytes (gatorade or sports drinks) ..and above all ..if you feel the onset, dizzy-ness, fuzzy thinking..maybe a bit of nausea ..hike down, if at all possible and ingest major quantities of sports drink.

If you take the above points..and add them together, because they feed upon each other, you have a very significant challenge! The great news is that after backpacking in the upper elevations (over 5,200 ft) for the past years, I feel stronger than I did when I was a lot younger!

Outfitting Here in North Central New Mexico

Mesa Hikes of 2 miles or so-

When in Spring, I'm cross training for the June excursion, I'll pack 25 lbs (free weights) and hike starting at about 2.5 mph, and end up hiking 3.17 mph or more for the 2 mile course here on the mesa. I hydrate before gulping 10 sips of H20 and I carry no H20 or food nurishment whatsoever ..feeling confident in my ability to return safely. I always have a walking stick. I have a cell phone in case of an emergency.

Day Hikes of between 5 and 10 miles-

I will always pack about 15 lbs of gear, here in North Central, because of the above considerations ..I'll have: WalkieTalkies; Cell Phone; Camera; Batteries; GPS; at least a whole liter of water just for myself; a banana for potassium; and apple for vitamin C and trail bars (at least 2) for electrolytes. Furthermore..I carry a small (6oz) bottle with Gatorade powder ..in case I need to mix in some water for more electrolytes; plenty of matches and a lighter and a rudimentary 72 hour pack; jacket or windbreaker; convertible pants; sunglasses; binocs; sunscreen; hat appropriate for the weather.

I rarely hike alone ..and my wife and/or partner usually packs similarly.

Excursions (overnights)-

Up to a 3 day excursion, I'll use a Carson90L-JanSport Backpack (Framed-less than $100.00!); ThermaRest Self Inflating Mattress ($39.95); MummyBag (cheap-but still rated to 30 degrees); Tent for 2 ($25.00 Wal-Mart-But now 3 years old!); 1 Complete Change of Clothes; 3 Knives; WhisperLite Stove AND/OR Coleman 2 burner (if wifee along); Food; 2.67 L jug of water; 1L vessel for water fed from 2.67L; Powdered Gatorade; GPS; Map; Compass; Firestarter; Propane; Coleman Fuel (God help whomever I'm with if I get hit by lightning); Lighter & Matches; "silverware" and camp dishes; cups; Camp Pillow; Hatchet; WalkieTalkies; Cell Phone; Camera & Batteries f/All; 2 Hats; Convertible Jacket; Convertible Pants; Vasque Hiking Boots & Tiva Sandels for crossing creeks/rivers/marshes (yes..marshland here in NM!); Sunscreen; First Aid Kit; 72 Hour Pack--->These things in a front facing fanny pack; Headlamp; Gloves (leather & fleece); Bungee Cords; Kevlar String; Hiking Poles (Cheap--SwissGear); Lemon Scented Insect Repellent;

Framed backpack?

-Yes..absolutely! My forearms are very strong and I can hoist a framed backpack for HOURS ..truly lightening the load from my hips/shoulders ..and allowing some ventilation to my back (notice how the perspiration all congregates there?). Furthermore..I can more expeditiously strap stuff with bungee cords to the aluminum frame than loops provided.

Weight?

-Seems like a lot of weight? True! The above excursion is 50lbs of gear. Two reasons for this. I like comfort and I love a workout! Every year, I must get in shape for the season and an excursion with 50lbs is like a boot-camp all and unto itself. As I encounter 'ultra-light' backpackers and from my research ..many safety things are sometimes shed as well AND Ultra-Light much more expensive! After about 2 hours my body becomes fully acclimated to the weight..and the second morning, actually craves it!

Food?

-Granola; PowerBars; FreezeDried Meals incl Soups (just to add boiling water); 6 Boiled Eggs (believe it or not, they'll last up to the three days of the excursion in spite of heat..here); Cucumber or Bean Salad W-Feta in Sauce (packed in sealtight containers-Sauce also keeps it fresh); Several Apples/Oranges. In addition, I carry in my 72 hour pack dehydrated fruit & nuts (light-nourishing in emergency). Coffee/Tea for my natural effervescence.

Hydration?

-I'll 'superhydrate' before shoving off with Sports drinks and H20. This allows me to manage my intake that first day out AND helps stave off cramps (I always cross train before for months!). I'm always looking for Water to treat/boil out there...BUT the 3.67 liters to start with can easily last if managed properly, again the first day..mostly taken care of by pre-hike hydrating.

Emergencies-

Emergencies Happen! But not to me yet! If I get into an emergency, I'll be sure to have a 72 hour pack (3 days of raw/basic needs); Communications Equipment that I'll turn on every hour, on the hour for 15 minutes (both recieve & transmit); Most importantly..I'll be leaving our itinery with the person who also watches our home ..so that just in case ...there is a plan.

Cross Training-

-My system is fully acclimated to the elevation and the elevation gains. I do hike daily with 25 lbs here on the mesa, ride a bike a lot as the excursion approaches, take 5-10 miles day hikes (2-3 of them) and pull rubber bands & lift free weights (for upper body). This, all for the final act of cross training, the excursion itself. I begin several months in advance.

Also See:

Continental Divide
Backpacking & Camping

Recommended Viewing:

50 Outdoor Skills-By: Dick Person

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