Backpacking High Sierra
Backpacking High Sierra
what is a good backpack for hiking/camping?
need one for:
hiking, camping, canoe camping, for a maximum of 3 days, mostly 1-2 days, though.
i don't do any of that camping where you drive your car to the camp site, so i would need a backpack that can haul all my gear.
i live in Florida and don't go out of state much.
prefer something with a hydration bladder and no more than $150, prefer $50-$100.
i know High Sierra and The North Face are good but what else and what models would be best for me?
If you're using your backpack just for backpacking for 3 days, or mostly weekends, I wouldn't buy anything with more than 50 or 60L. The model number of the backpack (ie. North Face Terra 60) is close to the number of Litres it contains.
If you buy bigger (70L, 80L), you can use it for expeditions, or for international travel with lots of souvenirs lol
If you buy it too small,you'll end up strapping your tent and sleeping bag on the outside... this is NOT preferable as they can get wet if it rains, or they can get caught on trees, shrubs, rocks, or the envrionment you're travelling by. Personally I like a backpack that has a zipper compartment for the sleeping bag in the bottom, and has zippers on the side for easy side access (so you don't have to unpack your whole bag to get at things, or stuff something in).
I'd definately go to a store and try one on, and make sure to put 30 or 40lbs in it... at the end of the day, what makes a good pack is how it fits you when you throw your weight around wearing a weighted pack. An empty pack is quite different than a full one with how it feels. This is the most important thing to remember. Also packs vary in size by a litre or two bit depending on whether you buy a large, medium or small frame. Each brand and pack is different, so make sure you try them on, as a medium frame for one pack is often a large frame for another. For backpacking you want the weight to be transfered to your hips, so it shouldn't all be resting on your shoulders... this is why choosing the correct frame size for the model of pack you choose is important.
I've had lots of packs over the past few years. Right now I'm using a Black Diamond 50L pack, and I love it, but it's more designed for Mountaineering.
Arc'teryx makes some super cool dry backpacks, that are designed for being completely waterproof... they're very expensive, but pretty interesting if you're canoeing or sea kayaking.
Some of the brands I've had... all of which are good in their own way were:
Black Diamond
North Face
Serratus
Osprey
Arc'teryx
and a Mountain Equipment Co-op bag (the best one, but it's Canadian)
The key point here to remember is the fit, not the brand name, is what makes a good pack vs. one that you regret buying and hurts your back.
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Mountaineers Books 100122 The High Sierra - Hiking-Backpacking Guides R.J. Secor $32.95 The most popular guidebook to the magnificent Sierra mountains has been expanded and improved. There is 30 percent new content in this edition, including new route descriptions, additional peaks described, more historical information and GPS enabled driving directions. The content has also been completely rearranged to keep roads and trails, and passes and peaks together, making the book easier to... |
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The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country List Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $11.48 Used From: $11.23  |
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Guide to a spectacular 195-mile timberline route in the sub-alpine region of California's High Sierra. |
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Tuolumne Meadows: High Sierra Hiking GuideaIncludes the Surrounding Uplands List Price: $12.95 Used From: $49.99 |
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Covers at least 14 miles east-west by 17 miles north-south and discusses trailheads and trails, climate, geology, history, flora and fauna, campsites, swimming holes and more. Includes Tuolumne Meadows map... |
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Silver Lake (High Sierra Hiking Guide) List Price: $11.95 Used From: $2.37 |
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THIS IS A GUIDE TO THE HIGH SIERRA BETWEEN CARSON PASS AND EBBETTS PASS. IT INCLUDES TRAILS, TREES, HISTORY, GEOLOGY, CAMPSITES, WILDFLOWERS, ANIMALS, ECOLOGY AND INCLUDING AN UPDATED USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF THE AREA. |
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Verse from the High Sierra |
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If you smile when you remember play-camping with a blanket over a chair, this is your book. The volume takes you off-trail, back to carefree times and paints a hundred close-up word-images celebrating the alpine environment while scattering a few clues regarding the inexplicable motivations of mountaineers... |
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Sierra Trout Guide List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $14.24 Used From: $5.95 |
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More than just a guide to finding trout in the diverse waters of California's Sierra Nevadas, this is a colorful and informative overview of the fish, their habitat, and techniques for bringing them to net... |
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The Stone Sanctum A Saga in the High Sierra List Price: $2.99 |
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The Sierra's eastern escarpment looms over Owens Valley, home to Jake McCann, patron of the mountain range and its defender against the slow but inexorable contagion of civilization. McCann is a respected scholar and mountaineer who lives as a recluse in an abandoned ranch house, where back-packers, would-be climbers and naturalists seek him out... |
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The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country List Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $11.48 Used From: $11.23 |
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Guide to a spectacular 195-mile timberline route in the sub-alpine region of California's High Sierra. |
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High Sierra Classic Series 59401 Sentinel 65 Internal Frame Pack Auburn 32x14.25x8.75 Inches 3970 Cubic Inches 65 Liters List Price: $240.00 Sale Price: $79.54 |
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For day trips or long-term adventures, our Sentinel 65 frame pack delivers on gear space without adding on the weight. Just 4.8 pounds and boasting 65 liters of main-compartment storage space, the Sentinel 65 features top and bottom pack access, a bottom sleeping bag compartment, a hydration-ready design and plenty of accessories to hold gear like ice axes and hiking poles... |
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High Sierra Access Pack (Black) List Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $40.47 Used From: $40.29 |
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Big and boldly styled, Access has the right combination to hold everything you need for an action-packed day away, with a generous computer sleeve, deluxe organizer, two water bottle pockets and a cool, contemporary look. |
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The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country List Price: $17.95 |
|
Guide to a spectacular 195-mile timberline route in the sub-alpine region of California's High Sierra. |
 |
Mountaineers Books 100122 The High Sierra - Hiking-Backpacking Guides R.J. Secor Sale Price: $32.95 |
|
The most popular guidebook to the magnificent Sierra mountains has been expanded and improved. There is 30 percent new content in this edition, including new route descriptions, additional peaks described, more historical information and GPS enabled driving directions... |
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High Sierras, Yosemite National Park - 24"W x 9"H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys Sale Price: $33.99 |
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WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies... |
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Tuolumne Meadows: High Sierra Hiking GuideaIncludes the Surrounding Uplands List Price: $12.95 Used From: $49.99 |
|
Covers at least 14 miles east-west by 17 miles north-south and discusses trailheads and trails, climate, geology, history, flora and fauna, campsites, swimming holes and more. Includes Tuolumne Meadows map... |
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High Sierra Loop Backpack (Black/Charcoal) List Price: $70.00 Sale Price: $23.53 Used From: $25.00 |
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With athletic style, big, multi-compartment design, monster hook and bottom straps to attach sporting equipment and lots more, Loop has the features to handle it all, from a weekend camping trip to a trip to the gym. |
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High Sierra Access Pack (Navy/Ash/Black) List Price: $120.00 Sale Price: $43.05 Used From: $38.02 |
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Big and boldly styled, Access has the right combination to hold everything you need for an action-packed day away, with a generous computer sleeve, deluxe organizer, two water bottle pockets and a cool, contemporary look. |
