I worked this M-W, so it wasn't until tonight that I have had time to compile this post. Loading these photos tonight also motivated me to [do the terrible task] check all of our CF cards and download "new" photos (from as far back as November 2010) to our external hard drive, freeing up over 22GB of memory space between all cards...Think that will hold us over for the first six days of vacation? (: Only 7 days until we head out!
A) Collapsable cooler
B) Two sets of hiking poles
C) My sleeping bag**
D) Husband's sleeping bag**
E) Two person tent
F) Sleeping pad 1
G) Tripod (which I later decided to forgo and pack the monopod instead)
H) Sleeping pad 2
I) Hammock (not sure if we will be able to use, but why not?)
J) Two headlamps (one not seen - Ashley is mailing one I forgot at our last trip), can opener, large knife, extra batteries
K) Medical supplies/first aid kid, pictured above the K, the yellow package to the slight northwest point of that; above and between K/J are two sets of "rain suits"
L) Two sets of plates, cups, bowls, spoon/fork/knife combo; cooking pans
M) Spare tent setup supplies (broom/dust pan, mallet, spikes)
N) Cooking pots in mesh bag
O) Antibacterial hand/face wipes
P/Q) Coleman 2L hydration backpacks
R) Where all of this minus ** needs to fit!!
Wah-lah!
So our sleeping bags will be going into one carry on suitcase. Our clothing combined will go into another carry on suitcase. The duffle bag above will be checked baggage. An interesting note about the sleeping bags: both J's and mine are the same exact bag, but I have the medium compression sack while he has the large. Isn't it amazing the difference in sizes makes? In fact, I am sort of having to shove his sleeping bag into our carry on while mine fits it quite smoothly.
In choosing clothing, I had to keep a few things in mind: what will the weather be like? how many days do I *have* to pack for? what pieces of clothing are absolutely essential? will there be laundering options available at any of the campsites? I made a huge pile of clothes on our bed and weeded through them. For this trip it's more about functionality and comfort than any type of stylistic approach (in my opinion). I love summer dresses but I do not want to hike 5-miles in one. From this huge pile, I was able to weedle in down to about five days worth of clothes, knowing we will have a lot of laundering options once we get out of Zion (and if you're following along, that's by the third day into our vacation). From what I have gathered, it is important to dress in layers in this part of the country, so for almost every "under" shirt I have a button down long-sleeve collared shirt.
The big conundrum is that Yellowstone/Grand Teton are supposed to be chilllllly (it was snowing in Yellowstone over the weekend..in the middle of May!!), while all other parks will be lows of 50s (night) and highs of 78. Yellowstone/GT have an average of 20s at night! So in go the jeans and jackets filling up precious luggage space. /sigh/ On the day we leave, we plan to wear the bulkiest items, so on go our hiking boots/shoes and in go our hiking sandals. I imagine I will be wearing an inappropriate for SC coat the day we load the plane.
Do any of you have packing suggestions? How do you manage light packing with cold weather?
