Gearing up

With this year's low snowpack, we are making plans to get out on the trail earlier this year than usual. But before we do that, we need to get our gear in order.

Which isn't an unpleasant task.

There is something really nice about pawing through our packs, remembering the sights (and smells!) of where this equipment has taken us. Sure, there are a few things that are a bit worn. One of the headlamps has a sticky switch, but it still seems to work. A couple of half-full fuel canisters will have to be used for shorter trips, we'll put them aside.

The sleeping bags have been aired out and stored in big cotton sacks, so they are nice and fluffy. P found his favorite pair of hiking pants, and M has her best fleece out. P is deciding on which of his rain shells to take--the bright red one or the faded grey one.

Yep, there's the compass, knife, and whistle, in the belt pocket of P's pack.

Don't forget to get a couple of the water bottles that we moved to the daypacks for winter hiking. And check the filters in the water pump.

And now it's time to pull out that shopping bag of food and see what's in it. There are lots of dinners, a few snacks...hmmm...not enough oatmeal. Time to go shopping. Maybe get some nuts and raisins for Gorp, too.

This is fun.