It’s officially in backpacking season and I am just returning from a successful 5-day solo backpacking trip on the High Sierra Trail! While this wasn’t my first time backpacking in the Sequoia’s, this trip was special for me in many ways. For one, I would be connecting the dots to my Mineral King Loop– exploring both new and familiar trail, as I, 2. made my way to Mount Whitney for a 3. sunrise summit on my birthday. It was quite the challenge I had been looking for, as I thru-hiked my way across the Sierra in 5-days.
For this backpacking trip, I felt no need for any new gear. Everything I packed for the High Sierra Trail, I had become familiar and quite comfortable with. This would, however, be my first thru-hike using Bear Vault’s BV475-Trek bear canister. Since this trip was not as long, I was able to manage 5-days using the BV475, and it worked out just great!
Gear I Packed for 5-Days on the High Sierra Trail
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PACK 🎒
Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear- Junction
I like to joke about my ultralight, that’s slighty always overpacked backpack. I’ve had the pleasure of using the Hyperlite Junction for a majority of my backpacking trips, and while I understand this is an ultralight pack, my packing list isn’t really considered “ultralight.” What I love most about the Junction is the durablity. I have tossed this pack around many times and have never had any issues with the material. However, I will mention it did take a few trips to “break-in” and feel comfortable.
SLEEP SYSTEM ⛺
I’ve pretty much had the same sleep system for a few years-if it works, why change anything about it? My tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur, and is considered my home-away-from-home in the backcountry. My sleeping quilt is from Enlightened Equipment. Usually a cold sleeper, I went with the 0 degree Enigma and it’s been perfect for year-round backpacking adventures. My sleeping pad is inflatable, as well as, insulated- this is the Nemo Tensor, again, no issues and it’s been a nice upgrade from the Thermarest. Many would consider packing a pillow as a luxury item, but it’s definitely become a staple in my sleep system.
Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur, UL 1P
Quilt: 0° Enlightened Equipment Enigma
Sleeping Pad: Inflatable Nemo Tensor Insulated
Pillow: Inflatable Sea to Summit Aeros
Seat Pad: Therm-A-Rest Z Seat
KITCHEN 🍽️
Yes, I pack a stove. I cannot imagine getting to camp after a long day and not being able to enjoy, at the very least, a warm meal. Hey, hike-your-own-hike. My kitchen setup is really quite simple, as I’ll pack just the bare necessities needed to enjoy said warm meal. As a matter of fact, my kitchen setup fits perfectly into my Toaks 750 mL cooking pot! Inside my cooking pot is where I store my MSR Pocketrocket stove, cooking cozy, and a lighter. Aside from those items needed to cook a meal, I keep the water filter and bag separate since I’ll be using those before arriving to camp.
Stove: MSR PocketRocket
Cooking Pot: Toaks 750 mL
Water Filter: Katadyn BeFree
Water bag: Cnoc Vecto 2L
Bear Canister: Bear Vault BV475- trek
Propane
Water bottle: REI Nalgene
PACKED CLOTHING 🧦
For this trip, I basically packed 1 pair of hiking clothes, and 1 pair of clean camp clothes, a pair of alpaca wool socks, and merino wool gloves. The reason for such layers in the middle of summer is for my Mount Whitney sunrise attempt. I also really enjoy having camp sandals at the end of a long day! Would you consider camp sandals a luxury item? Also, the bandana is a highly multi-functional gear item that has also become a staple in my pack.
Hiking Pants: Columbia Sportswear
Fleece Long Sleeve: Melazana Micro Hoodie
Camp socks: Paka – Alpaca Wool
Beanie: Topo Designs waffle knit
Gloves: Rab Equipment Merino Gloves
Puffy Jacket: Patagonia Sweater
Bandana: Amazon
Camp Sandals: Teva Hurricane
WORN CLOTHING 👕
I am a sun hoodie girly through and through. You can most likely catch me always hiking, backpacking, and thru hiking in a sun hoodie. They are lightweight, sheild the sun, and if you don’t already know- I just really love thumbholes. Check out my 5 Favorite Sun Hoodies! 1 sun hoodie and 1 pair of running shorts was what I wore the entire time and I think it worked out just fine. The one issue I had with my worn clothing were my ankle socks…paired with trying a new pair of trail runners…I never had so many rocks in my shoes!
Sun hoodie: Black Diamond Alpenglow
Running Shorts: Amazon
Hiking Socks: Darn Tough
Baseball hat: Amazon
Sun Gloves: Outdoor Research sun gloves
Sports Bra: Aerie Real Me
Sunglasses: Amazon
Trail Runners: Topo Athletic Terraventure 4
ELECTRONICS 🔋
Blogging, vlogging, and sharing the adventure requires a little extra equipment for some. I try to keep it simple by carrying a GoPro for YouTube and longform videos and I’ll just use my iPhone 14 Pro for short form and social media. I use these items daily and daily they run out of power. I carry 2-Anker portable chargers, 1-large and 1-small to be able to recharge my electronics.
GoPro Hero 10 (+4 batteries)
iPhone 14 Pro + charging cord
GPS: Garmin inReach Mini
Portable Charger: Anker 26,800 mAh
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400
Mini Tripod: Atumtek
Earbuds: Beats by Dre
TOILETRIES KIT 🧻
For this backpacking trip, I wish I would have packed more sunscreen. Thankfully, I had my face sunscreen that was pretty much used up by the time I completed my hike. Besides sunscreen, a few of my other favorite backpacking toiletries include Rush Deodorant- smells amazing and is smaller than chapstick, and a Minibox toothbrush that is lightweight and comes with a removable brush. My first aid kit definitely needs some work..
Mini toothbrush: Minibox travel toothbrush
Sun block: OneSkin Face sunscreen
Deodorant: Rush Deodorant
Chapstick
Lighter
First Aid: bandaids + ibuprofen
Trowel: the Duece 2
OTHER/MISCELLANEOUS ✨
Micro-spikes: Kahtoola traction
Bug Spray
