There are a few basics that are important to keep in mind when camping in the Sierra’s (and just in general for backpacking too).
First, have a plan, and bring a map. This one should go without saying, but being informed is the best preparation for a fun trip! And ensuring that others are just as informed as you are is really important as well.
Bring the 10 essentials (at the bare minimum). There are some great articles about this online here.
Consider the weather! While it may be 80 degrees and sunny in Los Angeles, the temperatures could drop below freezing, especially with increasing altitude (up to 13,000 feet in some areas, and over 14,000 feet for Mt. Whitney!).
Bring food that you really like. Freeze-dried doesn’t mean gross (in my opinion it can taste better than home-cooked meals sometimes, depending on the circumstance). I highly, highly recommend the Raspberry Crumble that Mountain House makes. I’m pretty sure that Michael can attest to it’s quality too, having tried it a few times.
Choose a hike that is exciting (and slightly challenging, if you’re up to it) but not over-the-top technically aggressive. Pushing yourself to do slightly longer or harder trips is a great way to develop your skills, but take baby steps – it’s better to have been able to crush a hike than barely make it at all! And, you’ll always be able to go back next time for redemption…
Finally, have fun! Your efforts of planning and preparation should all culminate in a fun experience for you and your friends. Don’t rush your hike, and enjoy getting out there!
-Fight on!
Naish
P.S. If you’re interested in a cool blog about the trip I’m going on this weekend, check out bearfoottheory’s review here[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/5″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]About the Author[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”circle” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Naish-Gaubatz_web.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”#https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/bethany/” title=”” target=”blank” info=”popover” info_place=”bottom” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Bethany Biomedical Engineering ’19”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]Naish is a Senior studying Aerospace Engineering. He’s a pilot, and will talk with you for as long as you want about planes (and other stuff too).[/cs_text][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”@naishonals” type=”instagram” link_enabled=”true” link_url=”#” link_title=”@bethany” link_new_tab=”true” style=”font-size:18px;”]@naishonals[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][x_gap size=”100px”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]Check it Out[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Boeing-787.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/biomedical-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/aerospace-and-mechanical-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Aerospace Engineering[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/los-angeles_1.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]LA Life[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/USC-campus-Hahn-plaza.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]USC Campus Faves[/x_button][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” class=”cs-ta-left” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column bg_color=”hsla(0, 27%, 74%, 0.03)” fade=”true” fade_animation=”in-from-bottom” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 96%, 23%);”]Hear from other Viterbi Students[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”” category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”2″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”4″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
