In Southern California, Rob Thomas was backpacking the Sierraswith a friend. It was August, and they were trying to get in asix-day trip before the snow began to fall.
They started at Mineral King Valley, an open glacial canyonhemmed in by the peaks of the Great Western Divide, a difficultbeginning point because of the high elevation and steep grade ofthe hike.
It was arid and the sun was intense the higher they hiked, butthe view was amazing.
They could already see the alpine lake they planned to camp at,it shined bright blue the size of a golf ball. They topped theridge and started down into a valley.
It was close to noon and they were tired and hungry when, about15 feet away, they heard rustling in the brush. A bear cub pokedits head through the brush. If there is one thing more worrisomethan a bear, it's a bear cub, because the mother is usually not farbehind and is highly protective.
He didn't want to run because he thought it would put them ingreater jeopardy, but he didn't want to stick around either.
They headed out briskly up the trail. The cub followed them fora while, but eventually it got tired and they were able to get awaywithout incident.
The dangerous encounter could have ended much worse, but forbackpackers like Thomas, that's what hiking in the backcountry isall about.
Thomas is a manager at Outdoors Inc. and a veteran of numerousbackpacking trips from Siberia and Austria to the Pacific CrestTrail and the Smoky Mountains.
Whether backpacking to enjoy nature, the solitude of going outalone or in the company of friends on a trip, Thomas said the keyis in the planning of the trip.
Inexperienced backpackers should plan realistic distances tohike. He said it wasn't as easy as picking a place to start andfinish, you have to plan your route through the trails, plan yourwater sources and food and equipment.
While backpacking started as a necessity for nomadic peoples,recreational backing exploded in the 1960's and 1970's. The Hippieculture enticed scores of people to seclude themselves in natureand for many that meant backpacking, Thomas said.
A common backpack weighed around 50 pounds or more then, whereas25 to 35 pounds is the norm now. Newer packs are form fitting andhelp with balance on rocky, uneven terrains. All the new lighterequipment is important if you are backpacking in high elevationswhere the weather could turn nasty in an instant.
"Packs, sleeping bags, shoes and tents are all lighter now,"said Thomas. "You want to go as light as possible withoutsacrificing protection."
He said footwear is the most important thing to worry about. Thecorrect pair of shoes and the correct pair of socks can preventstone bruises, blisters and cold feet.
Other than a light pack and hiking shoes, Thomas said he alwaysbrings ten other essentials.
A small pocketknife, a flashlight with extra batteries, a spoonand bowl, a three-quart water container, sun block, toilet paper,bandanas, a compass and whistle, a butane lighter and a first aidkit.
Nicole Baty, a former University of Memphis student, decided toput off starting her masters degree for a trip up the Pacific CrestTrail. It's a 2,650-mile trail running from Mexico to Canada. She'sworking five jobs to pay for the five and a half month trip sheplans.
"I always wanted a long hike," Baty said. "There are a milliondifferent things to do."
She plans to make frequent stops to go climbing and meet friendsalong the trail.
She'll be crossing through the desert, mountains and denseforest, passing through California, Oregon and Washington.
Most major trails have start dates for backpacking due toweather. Wildfires, flooding and snow can change trailsdrastically. If you decide to try backpacking this summer, be sureto check out dates and recommendations for any trail.
