My second backpacking/camping trip

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Jul 23 2002 10:06 pm

Well I talked Linda into three days and nights of backpacking/camping over on Catalina Island next week. We'll be camping at three different sites with about 7 miles distance between. Previously we did an overnighter at Bright Angel Campground, which turned out great. Over on Catalina we'll have 80 degrees during the day and 60 at night. I have been getting gear ready for three days now and will still be packing as I carry it all out the door. It looks like I'll be toting around 50 lbs or so. It should turn out well, as long as Linda can sleep in late.

We head over to the island Sunday afternoon and leave Wednesday afternoon. I'll post a hike and campsite description with photos when we get back.

Wish us luck,
GTG

and now a little camping humor -

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Jul 23 2002 10:33 pm

Well, that does sound like fun. Hiking in the Catalinas - for 3 days no less. Good luck and good fortune. We'll all want to see pictures and the good stories.

Those Red Meat comics are great. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who reads that comic occasionally.

kurthzone · Post by **kurthzone** » Jul 24 2002 7:56 am

Lots o' luck!

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Jul 24 2002 8:18 am

50 pound pack, huh. You got a boat in that pack? Gonna row out to the island?

You don't wake Linda up too early :P and I'm sure you'll have a ball :!:

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Jul 24 2002 9:24 pm

You got a boat in that pack?

Everything but a boat. I look at the light backpacking recommendations and just laugh.
I hope my legs hold up, Linda may have to drag me out.

GTG

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Jul 25 2002 5:32 am

Those comics were funny. Has anyone ever camped in a cemetery before? I can't say I have. Thats one thing that would give me the willies too much. 8O

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Jul 25 2002 6:36 am

GTG wrote: I hope my legs hold up, Linda may have to drag me out.

GTG

A more likely scenerio is they find your sun bleached bones sometime in the future

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Jul 26 2002 11:14 am

Well it looks like I got it up around 60 lbs without the boat trailer.
We're off to CA and I'll report back when we get back.

GTG

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Aug 01 2002 11:53 am

I'm posting from the library in Long Beach somewhere right now.
I spent some time before our trip pulling the 30 pounder around, but it was not enough preparation for the 60 lb "kid" (ask Linda) on my back.

Catalina was great! We did a couple of really steep hikes that would have to be the steepest trails I have ever climbed. They apparently don't believe in switchbacks over there, which is a shame seeing all the erosion on the island.

We're going to do a hike on the mainlanbd this Saturday and then head back to AZ. I'll have campground recommendations and descriptions as well as hike descriptions a few days after we get back.

GTG

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Aug 01 2002 7:07 pm

Sounds like fun GTG. We always go out on "trainning" hikes with full packs 3 or 4 times before we actually go into the wilderness for a long backpack. It makes things much more fun. It also teaches you to pare down your load as much as you dare. I can't remember if you use trekking poles or not but with the kind of weight you are hauling, they would be worth their weight in gold.

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Aug 06 2002 7:07 am

We had a great time, I wil get some pictures and descriptions up on hikeca.com in the next day or so.

I would definetely recommend Catalina Island for a nice getaway.

GTG

jimserio · Post by **jimserio** » Aug 08 2002 4:30 pm

GTG,

Just catching up on some old posts. Catalina is great. My brother-in-law used to go there for summers during my college days. We used to camp at one of the sites and day hike across the island.

Snorkeling there is great but the fish can be aggressive, especially if you have frozen corn or peas.

There used to be this really cool "mom and pop" mini golf place. It was literally in someone's backyard. Did you see it?

And of course, did you eat a buffalo burger?

Coaster Jim

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Aug 08 2002 6:24 pm

Knowin' GTG, he probably carried a buffalo in his pack :P
Right next to the kitchen sink

EC_hiker · Post by **EC_hiker** » Sep 08 2002 1:51 pm

Those comics were funny. Has anyone ever camped in a cemetery before? I can't say I have. Thats one thing that would give me the willies too much.

As a matter of fact, I've camped next to more than just a few. When I was in the Army, I was stationed at Ft Campbell, KY. Campbell has old pioneer and Civil War-era gravesites scattered all over the training areas. It's really eerie when you're doing a tactical movement late at night, no light, just NVGs, everyone's deathly silent, and the point man takes you through a small gravesite. What's really creepy is that most of the time there's just one or two out in the middle of nowhere. You walk around a tree, and there's a headstone. No fence, nothing.

I had this one lieutenant who must've had a thing for these places, because it seemed like he always managed to set up our patrol base right next to a headstone or two. I was always tempted to fix bayonets.

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Sep 09 2002 3:05 am

I was always tempted to fix bayonets.

That won't stop them. You have to shoot them in the head. (Hey, I saw 'Night of the Living Dead'! That's based on a true incident you know.)

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Dec 10 2006 8:16 am

GTG wrote:I look at the light backpacking recommendations and just laugh.

still feel the same way after 4 years?

Todd, do you have info about this kind of trip- My wife and I might do this for Christmas break. thanks in advance!

GTG_AZH · Post by **GTG_AZH** » Dec 13 2006 1:29 pm

mikeinFHAZ wrote:
GTG wrote:I look at the light backpacking recommendations and just laugh.
still feel the same way after 4 years?

Todd, do you have info about this kind of trip- My wife and I might do this for Christmas break. thanks in advance!

I still laugh at some of it.

I'm not entirely sure but it's going to be cold, foggy and pretty desolate over there during this time of year. We've been backpacking over there three times and things clear out and shut down after Labor Day. You'll love it.
You'll have to fly over in a private plane or take the boat there and back. They're really touchy about stove fuel on the boat, (not allowed), (don't claim it).
The best and most remote place to camp is Parsons Landing. There is no potable water there, the rangers will leave it in a locker for you once payment is received for your reservations. It's about 2 miles from one of the biggest Boy Scout Meccas in the world but they won't be there this time of year.
Second best site is Little Harbor. Great sites, right on the beach. They have water.
Third best is Black Jack. It's like Reavis Ranch with palm trees mixed with the pines and oaks. Potable water there too.
Coming in fourth is Two Harbors. Fairly populated with a general store a mile away and a restaurant and BAR. The restaurant and bar may be closed in the winter though.
There's plenty of hiking and it would be a great place to drag that new kayak of yours.

GTG

My second backpacking/camping trip

My second backpacking/camping trip

Weight and stuff

Oh Boy

We're back!

Buffalo burgers