need a lil help

so we are doing some hiking in RMNP, and was wondering if anyone could give me a quick and easy checklist of things ill need for a 2 night trip???

thanks!!

Buzzards are circling <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Why don't you take this one Jim......

Just trying to help in the worst kind of way regards,

Have a look at the "18 pound 3 day pack" and the "27 pound 7 day pack" packing lists
that are published on this site in the main area - charles has very good basic lists there.
My own gear list is in my profile - click my name.

Hmm, brains, heart, courage and... oh, wait, that's the Yellow Brick Road.

But seriously, have you ever done any backpacking before? Do you have a clue as to what you are doing? That's the first thing on your list-awareness of where you are going and what to do once you get there with the stuff you have brought.

There are many gear lists posted here by various members, but none of those lists may be suitable for you or where you are going. Figuring that out requires more info than what you have supplied. If you are going in winter, I have a winter gear list posted in the winter forum.

Is this your first time out? How much weight do you want to pack? Do you have gear already? Are you day hiking from a base camp or backpacking?

Peace brother.:)

Just the kind of post that folks who end up on the nightly news post <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. No explanation of their level of experience backpacking (so we can assume none). Heading off into what can be considered 'rugged terrain', with a 'gear list' based on what they read on the internet :shocked

Someday a Forum/ member, will be sued by someone who 'took the advice' of what they considered 'experts in the field'; and got themselves into trouble in the backcountry. It's gonna' happen, not if, just when, with all manner of folks reading the internet these days. Unless people state their prior experiences, and stake a claim to a certain knowledge base level; it is very risky to give them answers to such broad based questions IMO.

Weather, terrain, physical condition, age,experience level, time of year...are all factors in choosing a gear list for a specific area IME <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I wonder if Charles has a 'disclaimer' here when one signs up to avoid any legal hassle from information sourced here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Would be prudent I would think.

And yes, if the OP was of sound mind they would've taken the time to read the front page of this site and notice the '18 lb & 27 lb Gear lists', Phat <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Another reason to post that as a 'sticky' at the top of the Beginner Forum <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />...."Please refer to our front page as it contains a vast wealth of knowledge for newbies"... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

No such thing.

Whatever you think you'll need...

Sorry for the sarcasm, but it's kind of like me asking you, "How much will you give me for my car?" Think you might need a little more information?

Why don't you do this: put together a list of what you think you'll need (you'll have to do so anyhow, since none of us appear ready to go out on that limb.) Post it here, and the folks with experience in that environment can go to work on it.

Consider going to Cancun instead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For Cancun you need a swim suit and beer bong. Easy list. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Peacephrog could be forgiven for thinking that the answers so far have failed to give him the "lil help" he sought. But, if you sift out a bit of the unhelpful tone of some of the answers, I think about as much help has been offered as was possible under the circumstances.

I see that peacephrog hasn't come back to add any of the additional information that has been solicited. If he would, I think the amount of help offered could become considerably more than a little.

We'll see later whether we've seen the last of peacephrog. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

ok

we (me and tiffany) are going to rocky mountain national park (estes park side)

going to drive to bear lake, and then hike up one of the trails (havent decided which one yet)

we are starting on wedneday morning, and plan on staying that night and thursday night

we both have framed backpacks, and i dont want hers to weigh over 25 lbs, and i can easily double that

im not an extremly experienced hiker.......mostly day trips, its been years since ive actually done an over nighter, so really im most intersted in the amout of H2O i should bring...we both have 2L bocas we plan on brining, and there are plenty of streams where we will be hiking

just putting around the site, i have found some valueable info, and i appreciate the comments.....i dont forsee any problems, and i dont plan on leaving the trail....just want to get away far enough to see no more manmade lights, and possibly get close to one of the peaks to camp the second night

thanks

im thinking about taking glacier gorge trail to storm peak, or possibly flatop mtn trail to flatop mountain (2 miles each trip by the map)

anybody hike these before??

Defanitly make a list. I went by a couple of basic list's and modified them to (what I thought at the time), suited my needs. I made a general list, tent, sleeping bag etc. and a check list each for food snacks and clothes. Check out dehydrated meals to save weight. Also you can visit a local sporting goods store to get gear and supplies. Tons of gear on the internet too. Search camping gear. If you get hooked into the lightweight way of going, you will discover a multitue of ideas. You will be on a lifelong journey and quest for the ultimate answer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

You'll want to do some research on how to select a good camp site, water treatment options, and backpacking stoves. Think about whether you want to cook or boil water and rehydrate (the latter is lighter and not always as boring as you think, especially if you look up freezerbagcooking.com).

If you're not going to make a habit of backpacking, renting equipment from REI is cheaper than investing a ton of discretionary income. They have some nice lightweight tents, sleeping bags, pads and poles you can try out.

I recommend a map and compass regardless of intent to stay on the trail. Walking 100 feet from the trail to dig a cathole to contribute to the general biomass then getting turned around is not unusual for me, and I have a pretty good sense of direction. Take whistles and come up with a simple code - two long tweets means "I'm over here" and three short blasts means "Help, I'm lost/being chased by a lion/floating down the river, come quick!" for example.

I was in there last summer for a dayhike after car-camping in the nearby campground. there are a couple of backcountry sites there (you have to use the designated sites). We went into the glacier gorge area as far as timberline falls. It's great terrain and I want to go back!. You'll have to choose between Glacier Gorge or Flattop Mountain (which I would also like to do) if you only have one day. If you have more than one day, you could do both. Also plan on doing the Trail Ridge Road drive -- it's awsome. I'd recommend going all the way through, but you can take the Fall River road up to the Alpine Visitor Center and then Trail Ridge back to the east side.

There's a wealth of data here:
http://www.nps.gov/romo/
be sure to check it out.

It's a beautiful chunk of real estate. You'll have a great time there.

Keep in mind that you are not the only person thinking about going there at that particular time. You will need a backcountry permit if you plan on staying overnight in the backcountry.

Also, you want to be down (well) below timberline before the regularly-scheduled thunderstorms start sometime in the afternoon.

PeacePhrog, all you and the girlfriend need to do are pack up your packs with the 18lb gear list in mind, top it off with water, food, and a decent filter and you should be on a good trip. Both your packs can stay under 25lbs for an overnighter, and should. Heaviest items will be your sleeping bags, and water, maybe your packs.

Glad the sarcasm was'nt lost on you, and you returned to read more. It's just the time of the year when all manner of folks float through here only to cherry pick info (without posting their level of experience or fitness) makes it tough to recommend something to a person one knows nothing about. Some never return to tell us how their trip went, the gear worked out etc. Please let us know what you took, and how it went, what worked, what did not, etc. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />