Big Sur Backpacking/Sykes Hot Springs

Transcription

1 Big Sur Backpacking/Sykes Hot Springs May 28-31, 2011 Join Great Outdoors Long Beach as we backpack Big Sur with its scenic ocean views, native California plants, river swimming holes, and hot springs. Day One (Saturday) Today we will be camping at Pheifer campground. It is basically a day of getting the group together before the backpack on Sunday. Day Two (Sunday) We will meet at the trail head at 8:30am and begin our 10 mile backpack to Sykes Hot Springs. Along the way we will be passing various floral environments from floral communities like legumes, manzanitas, various mint family plants, and in the wetter portions of the trail we will come upon ferns and coastal red wood tree communities, the tallest trees in the world with the smallest cones of any conifer.

2 Once we reach the river where the hot springs are, we will set up camp and you are free to go to the hot springs and/or set up for dinner. Day Three (Monday) Today is a free day and you are free to whatever you like from soaking in the hot springs to swimming in the river, or perhaps exploring the area for short hikes down the river. Day Four (Tuesday) We backpack back to the trailhead and our cars and drive back home. Notes This trip is rated as strenuous. The trail starts at 400 ft. elevation and hits a maximum of 1,500 ft. so the beginning of the trail is pretty flat and then steadily becomes uphill then it gets easier as it gets a bit flat to a bit downhill and then a good uphill and steady downhill to the river and hot springs. The pace will be moderate. Please try to keep your backpack weight to no more than lbs. The lbs includes water and food. Bring mostly dehydrated food to keep your pack weight down. The group will be kept close to prevent people from getting lost even though the trail is pretty straight forward. We will stop at water crossings to refill on water and catch our breaths. Faster participants must stop at water crossings in order to enable the rest of the group to catch up. Also bring a water filter to filter water. Have at least 2 liters of water before we start backpacking on the first day. Be prepared for all types of weather. Although it is not likely to rain, temperatures can get cold at

3 night. 2-3 big garbage bags are good to carry just in case you need to keep your clothes dry by lining the inside of your backpack with them or in the event it does rain and you don t have a poncho. We must pack all of our garbage out. There are pit toilets but they offer little if any privacy since they have no wall around them, so a trowel is highly recommended to dig your solid human waste. Toilet tissue is NOT biodegradable so please pack it out with you. Remember: leave no trace. All human waste must be done some distance from any fresh water source whether dry or flowing. Yes, Clothing is Optional in the Hot Springs No pets, or un-enrolled friends PLEASE! Happy Trails!

4 Trip Leader s Use Only Received: Cash: Check #: Amount: Big Sur Backpacking May 28-31, 2011 Members Cost Non-members $35 $55 (includes 1 year membership) Make check payable to Great Outdoors and mail to: Questions (323) Great Outdoors 4709 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles CA Personal Information: (Couples, please register on one form) Name 1) Great Outdoors Member? Yes or No Name 2) Chapter? Membership # Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: address : Can you provide transportation Yes or No If yes, number of people Date In case of emergency contact: Relationship Phone Your Medical Insurance Carrier Group/Policy No. Physician Phone Health problems/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications, and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. WAIVER, MEDICAL RELEASE AND ASSIGNMENT I am aware that my participation in the GREAT OUTDOORS may include potentially hazardous activities, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities with that knowledge and understanding that I will use my best judgment to avoid injury to others and myself. I agree to follow the directions of the trip leader and abide by the rules of the facility I am using. I hereby release GREAT OUTDOORS, including its officers, trail or trip leaders, agents or other persons working with GREAT OUTDOORS from any liability for injuries, physical or mental, which I may suffer by reason of any participation in these activities. I recognize in waiving this liability that I am assuming sole responsibility for my actions and cannot blame any injuries on any other persons connected with GREAT OUTDOORS. I hereby agree to assume full financial responsibility for any bills incurred by me for medical treatment as the result of my participation in this GREAT OUTDOORS activity. In the event that I am unable to consent to medical care, I hereby authorize the trip leader to consent to emergency medical treatment for me, including hospitalization and surgery, as may be best determined under the circumstances. Signature(s) 1 2

5 Backpacking Equipment List What you ll need: Backpack Sleeping bag and ground pad Backpacking boots Day pack/backpack Breakfast, lunch & snack items Bowl/spoon/cup Pocket knife Cooking Stove & Fuel i.e. Jetboil Sunglasses and sun hat Sunscreen Lip Balm Personal Toiletries Personal Medication(s), if any Bandana (Optional but handy) 3 (one quart) water bottles Large Fold Up Water Container (Optional) Flashlight and Extra Batteries Electrolytes (Optional) Water Filter Tent Socks Gloves/Mittens Shorts and Long Pants T-Shirts and Long Sleeve Shirts Wind Breaker/Sweater Warm (Wool) Cap Warm Jacket and Warm Pants Rain Gear Bathing Suit Towel Sandals or water socks or hiking shoes for walking around camp Toilet Tissue Trowel Camera (Optional) Sleeping bag and ground pad can either be borrowed from a friend or rented. Additional info: Backpack - A sturdy internal frame, cubic inches. This can be rented. Sleeping Bag - This needs to be a mummy style bag, warmth rated to at least 20 degrees. You can probably go more than 20 degrees, but the wind, which is completely unpredictable, can greatly bring down the temperature even if you know the weather ahead of time. Ground Pad important not just for comfort, but it also helps keep you warm by putting a layer between you and the cold ground. Eating Utensils - Bowl, mug, spoon, and pocket-knife. Remember to think light and durable. Some kind of plastic bowl works best, with an insulated plastic mug. You don t need to buy these items; you can probably find them around your home. Water Filter and/or Pills Large Fold Up Water Container (gallon or more) Optional but convenient to have in camp to avoid from having to pump water often. Day Pack - This should be large enough to carry your food, clothing, and water on day hikes. Some packs are designed with removable hip lids that convert into a fanny pack or day pack. Whistle - Just in case you get lost, so we can hear you and stop or back track for you. For safety reasons try making this a MANDATORY item. (3) One Quart Water Bottles - Plastic Gatorade bottles work great. You can also purchase large sturdy Platypus or Camelback hydration systems. Cooking Stoves, food, tents, and water filters can be shared so try to form food groups. Toilet Paper - With two zip-lock bags to carry the used portion. Trowel - to dig your cat hole for your human waste in the backcountry. (3) Huge Plastic Trash Bags and (5) Large Zip-Lock Bags - For waterproofing.

6 Blister Kit - If you are prone to blisters please bring extra mole-skin (not mole foam). This is available at any grocery store. Electrolytes Optional but good to have to replenish salt and potassium lost when sweating. Bandanas - These are optional, but serve many purposes. For example, it is great as a hankie for blowing a runny nose, as a washcloth, or for wetting down and putting on your head! Camera - This is optional, but it sure is beautiful out there! You can either rent or purchase these items from Adventure-16, or REI (purchase only). Adventure-16 is located in West LA at West Pico Blvd. (one block west of Sepulveda), and can be reached at (310) It would be best to reserve your equipment prior to the trip, as they have a limited supply. Also, be sure to check rented items for broken and missing parts. Clothing Cotton is a comfortable fabric of which many of our clothes are made. However when cotton gets wet it is slow to dry and causes us to lose body heat. If you go in the water, and a breeze starts to blow, you could wind up a little chilly. Therefore try to avoid cotton if you are joining us on one of our trips. For clothing, try synthetic fabrics, like that stuff running shorts are made of. Synthetic materials are highly recommended because they dry quickly and keep you warm when you are wet. Synthetic fabrics are also lighter and less bulky than cotton which must be considered when backpacking as both space and weight are important issues. Note: While both space and weight are critical issues when backpacking please do not compromise on SAFETY! For example do not bring a sleeping bag with a poor warmth rating or no ground pad just because you want to make your backpack lighter. On the flip side do not make your backpack so heavy that it greatly slows you down and/or becomes too uncomfortable to carry. Backpack weight should be no more than 40 lbs. Clothing - (the layered look) Inner Layer: Underwear - As much as you think you will need. Cotton is suggested for women. Long Underwear (Optional but really helps keep you warm) - A pair of tops and bottoms made of a synthetic material such as poly-propylene. If you don t have long underwear, a pair of sweat pants and a sweat shirt also works. T-shirts Two or three is plenty. One for the trip and one clean one for the ride home. Liner Socks - Highly recommended if you are prone to blisters. You can use thin polyester dress socks for this layer. Insulating Layer: Socks - Two pairs made of Wool or a Synthetic material. No cotton please. If you need to buy these, some thick inexpensive wool socks will do.

7 Pants - One pair, wool or fleece. If you need to bring cotton, sweats are OK, but bring two pairs. Pull-Over/Jacket - Bring two items. Wool or fleece is ideal. An old wool sweater works great, but two cotton sweat shirts will work fine as one item. If you bring a jacket, bring one that is down or fiber filled, a ski type jacket. Windproof jacket most important for water trips. Gloves/mittens - Something warm. Hat - Something thick and warm. Wool or fleece. Make this MANDATORY on your list!! You lose 70% of your body heat through your head. If you tend to be cold, bring a second sweater/sweatshirt. Protective Layer: Backpacking Boots - If you are buying a new pair, make sure that they are adequately worn in by the start of the trip or you will pay dearly for it with painful blisters and/or pain caused by stiff boots. Have sturdy backpacking boots that support and protect your ankles. Not having proper ankle support can lead to ankle sprains or worse. Remember your feet are the most important part of the body that must be protected and cared for when backpacking. Medical care will be virtually impossible and do not expect us to carry you out because of improper foot equipment. Camp Shoes - Tennis shoes or sandals are great. Rain Jacket and Pants or a Poncho - Come rain or shine, we will be there, and you will want to be dry! Make this one Mandatory on your list!! Sun Hat Remember, the weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving even if you know the forecast ahead of time so come prepared! Food Suggestions Your caloric intake will be greater than normal, as food equals energy out there. So plan accordingly. The following are a few ideas of what to bring, but feel free to experiment a little. Breakfast: Instant oatmeal with brown sugar Cold cereal, dry or with powdered milk Bagels, with cream cheese or jelly Dried fruit Fresh fruits (pick durable fruits like apples or oranges so they don t get smashed in your pack) Breakfast bars Hot drinks: coffee, tea, hot chocolate - especially if its cold Lunch and Snacks: Bring zip-lock bags - not very tasty but great for packaging food. (2) Zip-lock bags to carry your lunch on the day hike zip-lock bags are always handy, so bring a few extra small sandwich and large freezer size bags. Bagels with cheese

8 Tuna (in spring water) and dried or treated meats like jerky and Salami Crackers Peanut butter and jelly Cheese (pick a durable kind like gouda, cheddar, Laughing Cow) Hummus Granola, trail mix, or nuts Tortillas Fresh fruits and veggies: baby carrots, celery, green pepper, etc. Candy bars or cookies Energy bars (like Power bars or Cliff Bars) Dinners: (High Carb Foods that are easy to prepare) Pastas, 5-minute rice, stir fry, curries, Pre-cooked items that are easy to heat and serve Plan a small reward for yourself at the end of the day, whether it s chocolate or a power bar. Especially at night, fat is what keeps us warm, so don t hesitate to throw some chocolate in your trail mix. M&Ms work well because they melt in your mouth, not in your hands! (kind of) Try to be creative; there is no reason to not eat well in the backcountry. Never bring anything in a glass container. Cans are OK but heavy. It is a good idea to empty cans of food into a zip-lock freezer bag. You can double (or triple) bag it if you think it may spill. It is also recommended that participants form cook groups to share food costs, cooking equipment/responsibilities, and backpack weight. (See: BACKCOUNTRY RECIPE BOOK) Additional Information: No pets, or un-enrolled friends PLEASE! -Happy Trails!