Backpacking
This section is divided as follows:
Trip Plans. Go here to find the planning page for a specific trip.
Backpacking Journal. I have been backpacking in the Sierra Nevadas and other California locations since the 1980s. Starting about 15 years ago, my backpacking friends and I starting writing a description of each trip. These writings are in PDF format (to compress the original WORD files) and stored in a "File Cabinet" named Backpacking Journal.
Useful information:
Mosquito Repellents That Best Protect Against Zika - Consumer Reports (April 16, 2016)
Ranking the greater Bay Area's top 50 by Tom Stienstra, S.F. Chronicle (May 5, 2016).
Talking Lyme disease with Linda Giampa of Bay Area Lyme Foundation, InMenlo.com (7/6/2015)
DEET in Wikipedia
More than swatting for mosquitoes: Options expand beyond DEET, by January W. Payne, S.F. Chronicle (May 14, 2005).
"Creature discomforts" and "Remedies for stings and bites" in Stanford Medicine News (Summer 2012)
Dr. Steve's Notes on Giardia: see last page of "Across the Sierra: A Kings Canyon Adventure, Bubbs Creel, Kearsarge Pass and Lake Reflection"
Lyme Disease in Bay Area , Stanford News (2/18/2014)
Typical fuel usage: 5 people fixing 6 evening meals plus hot water for breakfasts using 2 Dragon Fly stoves used total of <3 canisters (650 ml ea) white gas; i.e., about 10 people-days per canister. (Ref: MONO 02) For Cherry Creek 2013, 3 people and 6 meals used fuel at the rate of 15 people-days per 22-oz canister, with plenty to spare. So rate of usage depends a lot on style of cooking.
Esther's stove (SOTO, micro regulator OD-1 R) is small, lightweight and efficient (uses propane canister).
Care of aluminum cooking pots and utensils
Backpacking tales:
Nicholas Kristof, Growing Up on the PCT, Backpacker (August 21, 2019)
Links:
English Peak Lookout, US 94, CA 3 (National Historic Lookout Register)
On California's Lost Coast by Elaine Glusac, NY Times (8/26/2019, updated 8/31/2019)