New Member Introduction

[ngatel]

Hi, just an introduction. I have lived in Palm Springs since 1977. I have hiked Skyline many times since moving here. I pretty much hike solo, and I am what would be call an ultralight backpacker.

I have been backpacking since the 1960's. I have two kids. My daughter graduated from college 2 years ago and my son is graduating from college this month.

My son has gotten interested in backpacking, and ocassionally I will write a trip report for him. Here are a couple that include the Skyline and the C2C. Thought I would share.

C2C-PCT-Jo Pond Loop

Skyline-PCT-Jo Pond Loop

Since this is my first post, not sure if the URLs will work. They are PDF files on Google Docs, and sometimes they will jump around in different browsers. If this happens, just hit the Download Button, and it will open the file in Adobe Reader.

[Florian]

Hi Nick,

Enjoyed your Skyline/peak/Fobes loop hike report. I think one reason i don't backpack much is i don't like to carry the weight. Seems you're avoiding that issue by traveling so light!

-Florian

[Sally]

Welcome, Nick!

I enjoyed your TR a lot. Boy, you sure put in some miles in 3 days - with a backpack non-the less! I love backpacking, and I love all my creature comforts. I carry about 1/3 my body weight (I weigh 120 lbs). I keep saying I'm going to cut out some gear, but I don't know where to begin. 10 sheets of toilet paper? No headlamp? (with a lb. of batteries?) I don't think I could do it! But the older I get, the more I should look at lightening up.

That loop route of yours looks like a great way to spend several days in the San Jacintos. I guess the main obstacle for me would be lightening up enough to get up Skyline. BTW, I did Skyline on Sat. 29 and my daypack weighed as much as your overnight pack!

[ngatel]

Florian and Sally,

Thank's for the kind words. Years ago I also carried huge weights. But over the years refined my gear so I could still enjoy it as I got older. I will turn 60 in a few months, and the gear allows me to hike further, faster, longer, and without sacrificing comfort than I could as a young adult. Most of my gear is made by small cottage manufacturers, and cannot be found at "traditional" retail outlets like REI. The most important item I purchased was a digital scale. Once I started paying attention to every ounce, the pounds disappeared.

[Maestro_DMC]

You are my new idol.

[bluerail]

Very nice Nick, great trips and tr's...always interested in knowing the crazy people.

Hope to run into you. - steve

[Florian]

Once I started paying attention to every ounce, the pounds disappeared.

I think Colin Fletcher in his The Complete Walker said something similar. I'm quoting from memory .. "If you watch the ounces the pounds will take care of themselves."

Except that Colin carried a ton of gear! But he's still my backpacking mentor.

-Florian

[Cy Kaicener]

Nick - Backpacker Ray Jardine has got his pack down to 7 and a half pounds

http://rayjardine.com

[ngatel]

Nick - Backpacker Ray Jardine has got his pack down to 7 and a half pounds

http://rayjardine.com

Hi Cy, you are quite the legend.

Yes, Ray Jardine is the "father" of lightweight backpacking. An excellent book is Trail Life, which he released last year.

In the lightweight "world" of backpacking, a baseweight of your pack and gear in it, is usually measured without your consumables of water, food, and stove fuel. Most UL backpackers have a weight under 10lbs. On both the trips I posted, my base weight was under 4lbs, which is considered super ultralight. Not bragging, I did not have to worry about rain, and rain gear was not included. In desert winter packbacking, when it gets cold and can rain, my base is right at 7.5 lbs also.

[ngatel]

I think Colin Fletcher in his The Complete Walker said something similar. I'm quoting from memory .. "If you watch the ounces the pounds will take care of themselves."

Except that Colin carried a ton of gear! But he's still my backpacking mentor.

-Florian

My mentor too! First read The Complete Walker 40 years ago. I have very one of his books in my library. A really interesting one is The Man From the Cave. Most of it takes place in the Coachella Valley!! It is out of print, but the PS Library used to have it on the shelf years ago. Don't know if they still have it.

BTW, Fletcher passed away Jun 12, 2007, at the age of 85. Probably would have lived longer, but he was hit by a SUV when he was 79, and was never the same.