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new westminster, bc
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 09:22 AM
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or any multi day overnight hike for that matter
I am leaving sometime between august 10th-20th and allowing 5 days
just looking for general tips/advice but i have a few specific questions first:
the backpack i plan to use is pretty old and has an external frame, it still works fine but the guy that was helping me at the sports store said it was completely outdated, is it worth upgrading?
also this same dude sold me a sleeping bag that is only rated to +15 degrees, he claimed it would be the best option for me since its the smallest and lightest (it would literally fit inside a 2 litre pop bottle and only wieghs like 650 grams or soemthign) but now i am having second thoughts thinking it wont be warm enough? even if im sleeping in fleece clothes? should i return it and look for something else?
also anyone have any experience with the shuttle buses to pick you up/drop you off at the trailheads? |
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660 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 10:22 AM
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The pack is fine, as long as it fits you, is in decent condition and was a good pack in it's time. Hundreds of years ago people figured out that to carry weight on your back a pack has to meet certain requirements, since then they've only gotten nicer in minor ways, not fundamentally better. Half the weight and more durable is a bonus, not a necessity. If the pack is an old hunk of junk with no hip strap and too small for you, that's different. Junk is junk, no matter how new it is.
5 days is ample time, none of your days will be terribly onerous.
As long as you sleep reasonably warm and have some fleece, bag will be fine.
Shuttle bus works but is on a strict schedule, I've always hitch-hiked with excellent results. |
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new westminster, bc
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 11:21 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by alexcanuck
The pack is fine, as long as it fits you, is in decent condition and was a good pack in it's time. Hundreds of years ago people figured out that to carry weight on your back a pack has to meet certain requirements, since then they've only gotten nicer in minor ways, not fundamentally better. Half the weight and more durable is a bonus, not a necessity. If the pack is an old hunk of junk with no hip strap and too small for you, that's different. Junk is junk, no matter how new it is.
5 days is ample time, none of your days will be terribly onerous.
As long as you sleep reasonably warm and have some fleece, bag will be fine.
Shuttle bus works but is on a strict schedule, I've always hitch-hiked with excellent results.
yeah the backpack had hip straps and if anything is too big for me, def not too small, and the brand is jansport so i think its pretty decent. im most worried about the sleeping bag... the other people coming with me have rated for -10 and 0 degrees.... plus maybe with the amount of fleece i have to bring it will add more wieght and it would be better to just return it and buy a warmer one? i wouldnt consider myself a warm sleeper |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 6:17 PM
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You'll likely have wind every night, which will drop the temperature some more. Not sure what your set up is but if in a tent that's not too much of an issue.
I would probably get a warmer bag, you will not get many chances to comfortably use a +15 bag in BC on its own. Maybe if you were using it near the equator. It might do you fine on this trip, but how often will you get to use it again? If you hike anywhere with altitude it will be markedly colder at night. |
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85 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 6:57 PM
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I did the JDF trail with a friend last year, we did it in 4 days. Great trail and a great trip. It's beautiful.
The sleeping bag will be fine for the trip, however as the poster above mentioned, you won't really use it again as +15c isn't great for our climate. If you have the option to return it and get a new one do it. Also pick up a sleeping bag compressor from MEC, you can squish your sleeping bag down really small with those babies.
We didnt use the shuttle bus, had a girlfriend drop us off and pick us up. |
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new westminster, bc
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2012 : 10:52 PM
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ok i returned the sleeping bag
are gaiters a necessity in august? |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 08:18 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by chellard
ok i returned the sleeping bag
are gaiters a necessity in august?
Seems likely to be useful, but not an absolute necessity. You will get muddy regardless.In any case, they are a good investment. Usable year round. |
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Victoria, BC
Canada
92 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 09:13 AM
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I hiked JDF last year in 3 days. We parked at China and hitchhiked to the Botannical trailhead. Took about 20 mins to get a ride.
My only tip is to try to get to your destination campsites early in the day. They can fill up at peak times. |
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660 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 4:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by more_cowbell
My only tip is to try to get to your destination campsites early in the day.
Oh yes! The beach camping is the worst for crowding, the northern end is not as busy. if you possibly can, avoid the weekend. Sounds like you have flexibility in the dates, so at least arrange not to camp at China, Mystic, Bear, Chin and especially Sombrio on Friday or Saturday. Weekdays are fine everywhere.
Tide table, location of cut-off points and maximum tide levels for safe passage also important. Note that high waves makes them cut-off lower. |
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new westminster, bc
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2012 : 6:18 PM
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yeah i have decided to go the monday to the friday so hopefuly it wont be too crowded
in the way of a second pair of shoes to bring, what is recommended? would crocs do? |
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new westminster, bc
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 8:21 PM
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another question, i know you have to keep food out of reach of bears, either hang it in a tree or put it in one of those metal box thingies that are sometimes provided, what are the chances of food getting stolen by humans? hehe
maybe im being paranoid, but like in those metal lockers or whatever they are called, couldnt just anyone take your food? |
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85 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 11:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by chellard
another question, i know you have to keep food out of reach of bears, either hang it in a tree or put it in one of those metal box thingies that are sometimes provided, what are the chances of food getting stolen by humans? hehe
maybe im being paranoid, but like in those metal lockers or whatever they are called, couldnt just anyone take your food?
It'll be fine, except maybe at Sombrio where a drunk high school kid may accidentally take yours.
ie: don't camp at sombrio
When I did it we camped at Bear, Chin and Payzant.
Bear and Chin were completely empty except for a guy named Frank (who was a real character, I hope to someday run into him again and listen to his stories) and his two sons. My buddy and I ended up sharing a camp spot with them at Payzant as it was full.
Chin was especially nice as we got there around 2pm and there was no one else there, beach to ourselves. |
Edited by - sixwings on 07/24/2012 11:18 PM |
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first time doing juan de fuca marine trail
