Backpacking Resources

GEAR CHECKLISTS:

BACKPACKING GEAR TO BUY OR RENT

REI (Recreation Equipment, Inc., some stores rent backpacking gear)
Sports Basement (San Francisco Bay Area-rental and sales)
The Camp Kit (based in Northern California, they rent camping and backpacking gear by mail order or delivery to some locations)
Lower Gear (based in Arizona, they rent quality gear by mail order at reasonable prices)
MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op-Canada)
Sierra Designs*
Big Agnes*
Gossamer Gear*
Marmot*
North Face*
Deuter*
Granite Gear*
Z-Packs*
Osprey
Ultralight Cottage Industry Companies (list maintained by Eric the Black)
Sleeping Bag Comparison Chart by Switchback Travel
Tent Weight Comparison Chart by Switchback Travel
Ultralight Backpacking and Camping Gear Overview by Moosejaw
When Less is More: A Guide to Ultralight Backpacking article by My Open Country

FOOD

Mountain House* (freeze dried backpacking meals and bulk #10 cans)
Backpacker’s Pantry* (freeze dried backpacking meals and bulk #10 cans)
Good to Go* (freeze-dried backpacking meals made from “clean” ingredients, no preservatives, gluten-free, vegan options)
MaryJane’s Farm Organics (freeze dried organic backpacking meals and bulk foods)
Pack It Gourmet* (quality backpacking foods including vegetarian, vegan, low sodium, diary-free, gluten-free, dairy, sauces, individual packets)
Harmony House* (freeze dried ingredients, no additives or preservatives, vegan choices)
H oneyville* (freeze dried bulk foods, including meat, veg, fruit, eggs and dairy-no or minimal additives)
Karen’s Naturals (previously Just Tomatoes* –not just tomatoes, but assorted freeze-dried fruits and vegetables-no additives))
Redwick’s Preserves (freeze-dried foods, including hard to find items, available on E-Bay). See Facebook page.
Thrive Life (freeze-dried meats and cheese, instant beans, honey crystals)
Santa Fe Bean Company* (instant bean flakes)
Outdoor Herbivore (vegetarian and vegan)
Good to Go* (clean ingredients, vegan options, gluten-free options)
Hawk Vittles (gourmet, no artificial flavors or preservatives, lower sodium)
A Yummy Life*: “Six Instant Meals on the Go” (A hiker’s wife presents a week’s worth of freezer-bag recipes that are tasty and nutritious)
Pack Light, Eat Right (a dietitian dishes on favorite trail recipes and nutrition)
Paleo Meals To Go (Paleo backpacking meals and more)
Lotus Foods-Rice Ramen*
Koyo Organic Ramen*
Nido or Peak whole milk powder* (from Amazon)
The Spice Tin* (online and physical store for specialty spices, such as Umami Dust Seasoning)
Minimus.biz* for condiments (e.g. Sriracha sauce) and a wide range of other foods in individual packets
Tanka Bars*, Bites and Jerky (buffalo & cranberry with no MSG, nitrates, nitrates or hormones)
Krave Jerky* (no MSG, nitrates, nitrates or corn syrup)
PROBAR* (flavorful organic energy bars)
Clif Bar* (large variety of organic bars with gluten-free, soy-free, kosher and low-glycemic choices)
Skratch Labs* (hydration mix–all natural products)
Tailwind Nutrition*(hydration mix–all natural products)

FOOD RELATED

The Hungry Spork: A Long Distance Hiker’s Guide to Meal Planning by Inga Aksamit (planning guide and recipe book)
Lipsmackin’ Backpackin’ Lightweight Trail-tested Recipes for Backcountry Trips* by Christine and Tim Connors (cookbook)
Backpacking Chef* (instructions for dehydrating food, recipes and cookbook)
The Dietitian’s Resupply Box: A Guide to Thru-Hiking on a Plant-Based Diet* (planning guide and recipe book)
BMICalculator.net* (find Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Harris-Benedict Calculators to determine calorie needs based on height, weight and activity level)
Pill Pouches* (sturdy baggies, 2″x 3″, for spices and other small items-Amazon)
Opsak/Loksak* odor-proof food-safe plastic bag that can hold boiling water to rehydrate food
Mylar foil pouches* (Amazon)
Inga’s Meal Plan for the JMT* (Google Drive)

*Products I have tried and can vouch for

FOOD LOCKER LOCATIONS-SIERRA NEVADA

BACKPACKING FORUMS

John Muir Trail Facebook Group
Ladies of the JMT Facebook Group
John Muir Trail Yahoo Group (with an extensive library of backpacking-related files for those who join; it’s free)
California Backpacking Women Facebook Group (Inga’s)
Pacific Crest Trail Facebook Group
Gear Talk Facebook Group
Bearfoot’s Hiking Gear Flea Market Facebook Group
Healthy Gourmet Backpacking Food Facebook Group (Inga’s)
Nutrition for Hikers Facebook Group
Altitude Acclimatization Facebook Group (Inga’s)
Chilkoot Trail and Yukon Travel Facebook Group (Inga’s)
Backpacking Light (fee to join)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Leave No Trace (LNT)-Seven Principles
Ten Essentials
California Campfire Permit (required for camp stoves, campfires; available online)

FIRST AID, HEALTH & SAFETY

First Aid Kit-Inga’s (Google Drive document)
First Aid Kit-Comprehensive (Google Drive document)
Andrew Skurka: My Backpacking First Aid Kit & Emergency Communication Checklist
An Unofficial Acclimatization Guideline for JMT Hikers (free)
Wilderness First Aid application for Android and iPhone–contains CPR tutorial, specific protocols including altitude sickness, and first aid kit suggestions ($0.99)
Female Hygiene (by Trinity Ludwig, guest editor on Andrew Skurka’s website)
Lightning-Myth Crushers (NOLS video)
Stream Crossing Safety While Hiking and Backpacking (PCTA)
Nutrition Guide-U.S. Special Operations Forces
Wilderness Navigation Course (free online course from Love & Trails)

MAP SOURCES

Tom Harrison Maps (waterproof topo maps and apps for California, also available on Amazon, ~$6-20 per map)
Halfmile’s PCT maps (free, downloadable, printable topo maps and apps for the entire PCT, broken down by section)
Sierra Mapper (free, printable, interactive topo map with route planning tools for the Sierra Nevada)
CalTopo (free, printable, interactive topo map with route planning tools for the lower 48 U.S.)
Wilderness Press Guidebooks

JOHN MUIR TRAIL MEDALS AND STICKERS

JMT Medal by Wim Schalken (also medals for PCT, AT and other trails)
JMT stickers, patches, buff and bandana by Laundry by Lindsey (Etsy)