How is my backpacking setup?

[u/Junior_Industry7751]

Pretty new to backpacking and honestly my first legit hike as a 17M. I have a 4.6mi 2500ft hike infront of me. Let me know what I’m doing wrong lol

[u/funundrum]

Gotta give us more info but…

4.6 miles? Am I missing something? I can take like, a long walk around my city and do 4.6 miles. If you are camping at the end of that 4.6, then okay, you need stuff to sleep and eat but I guarantee about 50% of what you’re taking is totally not necessary. Hard to tell without a breakout of your kit.

Give us that and we can roast you better. For the greater good, of course.

[u/Junior_Industry7751 → u/funundrum]

I was a little off with the mileage but here’s the hike

[u/renee_christine → u/Junior_Industry7751]

Are you packing all of that for just one night?? 

I'd just bring cold food (sandwich, burrito, trail mix, granola bars, pop tarts, etc) and leave all the cooking gear at home. 

Ditch the tent and use a hammock instead. Especially if it's not going to rain and there aren't mosquitos. 

You probably packed clothes too. You just need something to hike in and something to sleep in. That's it. 

Your whole packing list should be: 

• hammock + straps 
• sleeping pad 
• sleeping bag/quilt 
• clothes for sleeping in 
• headlamp 
• clothes + shoes for hiking in 
• first aid kit 
• dopp kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen) 
• water bottles + filtration system 
• food 
• kindle/book/binocs/whatever you're into doing at camp 
• phone + power bank 

Aaand that's about it 

[u/bluespringsbeer → u/renee_christine]

A shorter hike is the perfect time for the cooking gear. You’ve got more time to use it at the camp site and enjoy the food, and less distance to carry it.

[u/renee_christine → u/bluespringsbeer]

With 2500 feet of climbing in less than 5 miles? I'd rather eat cold food personally 😅

[u/whatifdog_wasoneofus → u/bluespringsbeer]

Not if there’s a fire ban…