COCC Community Education Summer Backpacking Trips
Backpacking Along the Pacific Crest – Would you like a challenging, rewarding and fun outdoor experience backpacking in some of the nation's most scenic backcountry? The Cascade Range runs along the Pacific Crest and is the jewel in the crown of Oregon's most scenic wilderness and a backpacker's delight, revealing the beauty of the forest and commanding vistas of volcanic peaks and magnificent glaciers.
This three-day, two-night backpacking course is a great introduction into backpacking in an alpine environment. Participants will develop skills in campsite selection, how to plan and prepare meals, wilderness ethics and the introduction in the use of map and compass. The course also includes an evening session covering basic equipment selection and menu planning.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate. Expect to hike between 6 to 8 miles per day. A typical day will consist of hiking along the Cascades on trails with moderate elevation gains and losses. Each day consists of one or two segments with an elevation gain of approximately 1200 feet over a shorter distance. Maximum elevation is approximately 7000 feet.
Students provide backpacking equipment and supplies (rentals available locally). You should be in good enough physical condition to hike 8 miles per day with a full pack.
Circle the Sisters – Backpack 45 miles around the Three Sisters to develop new wilderness skills, be physically challenged, gain perspective, and invigorate your spirit. Experienced backpackers will guide you in equipment selection and use, trip planning, map reading, campsite selection and set-up, and wilderness ethics in this four-day, three-night trip. A major focus will also include how to pack light… try your hand at carrying all you need for four days with only a 30 pound pack!
The course also includes an evening session covering equipment selection and menu planning.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. This trip is suitable for beginning backpackers provided they are in good physical condition. While not technically difficult, the trip can be strenuous. Participants should be able to hike 12 to 14 miles a day back-to-back with a full pack. A typical day will consist of backpacking through the Three Sisters Wilderness mostly on trails with moderate elevation gains and losses. Each day consists of one or two segments with an elevation gain of approximately 1500 feet over a shorter distance. Maximum elevation is approximately 7000 feet.
Backpacking Around Mt Hood - While many have viewed Mt Hood from the highway or Timberline Lodge, to really experience its beauty and isolation, come explore all sides of the mountain. This four-day, three-night intermediate level backpacking trip covers 42 miles. Participants will improve their lightweight backpacking skills, and set up dry camps, along with learning how to safely cross creeks. This hike is one of the most beautiful in Oregon, covering alpine meadows, up close views of waterfalls and glaciers, and hiking above treeline in a true mountainous setting.
The course also includes an evening session covering equipment selection and menu planning.
Difficulty Level: Strenuous. You can expect to hike between 12 and 15 miles per day. A typical day will consist of backpacking through the Mt Hood Wilderness mostly on trail with regular elevation gains and losses. While there are periods during the day hiking over gentle up and down terrain, each day consists of multiple segments with an elevation gain of approximately 1500 –2000 feet per segment over a shorter distance. Depending on the snowmelt, creek crossings can be a bit hazardous.
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What Others Say About Our Trips
“That trip was quite literally, life changing. Indescribable really. I never expected to have this incredible sea-change feeling within. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.”
“A belated but heartfelt thank-you. I had such a wonderful time on our hike. I am definitely hooked.”
“Jane and Jim are two of the nicest people I have ever met. Truly, because they are both educators, they have the ability to create situations that allow you to learn and experience on your own; yet always in the comfort of their knowledge. They are patient, steadfast, very positive people.”
“I feel blessed to have met you and spent one of the most memorable times of my life with you.”
“Jim and Jane are absolutely wonderful. They are so thoughtful and considerate of everyone. I would go anywhere if Jim and Jane were leading the way!”
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Your Guides: Jim and Jane Kress have backpacked over 6000 miles throughout the west, Alaska and Canada. Jim has hiked the 2600-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada while Jane has completed over 1500 miles of the trail. Or, as she describes it, “The pretty parts!” They have climbed many of the Cascade Volcanoes along with international climbs in Mexico, Ecuador and Argentina.
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Getting In Shape – Making the Most of Your Adventure
Each summer Jane and I look forward to taking a longer backpacking trip. It may be for a week or a month or more. Over the years we have found the following always to be true: we often enjoy the preparation as much as we do the trip! They say the best way to get in shape for backpacking is to go backpacking. We couldn’t agree more!
We also realize that schedules and lifestyles don’t always allow participants to go backpacking every weekend. So here is a place to start. Begin by walking at least five days per week. Start early in the season and start slow. Maybe for an hour a day. It is not about miles but about time spent walking. Whenever possible take walks or hikes over varied terrain. For those living in Central Oregon, Pilot Butte is a great place to start, as well as hiking around Smith Rock, over to Gray Butte, or up Tumalo Mountain or Black Butte. After a couple of weeks start carrying your pack. You can use plastic bottles filled with water to simulate the weight. This allows you to vary the weight by day. As your training becomes more vigorous and covers greater elevation gains, you can hike uphill with the water and empty the bottles before coming down. This will create less wear and tear on the knees. (Years ago as we prepared to go climbing in Argentina, we climbed the South Sister a few times every week carrying 35 pounds of water. Imagine everyone’s surprise when we offered gallon after gallon to thirsty hikers at the summit!)
Within one month of your trip, you should be able to carry your full pack on back-to-back day hikes at a distance and terrain similar to those on your trip. Try to throw in a weekend backpacking trip or two. We are convinced that the key to getting ready for backpacking is by putting in “time in the saddle.” It isn’t about speed or miles covered. It is about being able to spend 8 hours a day hiking for multiple days in a row.
Equally as important as having your legs and lungs in shape is to have shoes that are broken in and comfortable. No matter how strong your legs are, if your feet are badly blistered you aren’t going anywhere! So make sure that not only are your shoes or boots broken in, but your feet as well. To get your feet in shape you should do your day hikes with weight in your pack.
Those who follow a similar type of plan will have a great experience in the wilderness. We find that tired bodies often create a sense of accomplishment and an environment where one can better mentally and emotionally experience what the wilderness brings us. But exhausted bodies are less prone to spending the necessary time to prepare camp, eat a good meal, stay hydrated, or take the photographs that create the memories that help us enjoy the experience.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about any of the trips.
Jane and Jim Kress
jkress@cocc.edu
Work 383-7712
Home 382-7237
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Equipment Selection
Over the years we have found there is a direct relationship to the amount of fun we are having and the amount of weight on our back! Some would argue it was surprising how long it took us to figure that out! We have included a general backpacking checklist. You do not have to bring everything on the list! Upon registration you will receive a list specific to your trip. A few fundamental concepts:
Whenever possible bring items that have multiple uses. You can make a pillow out of stuff sack and extra clothes. You can eat out of the pot you cook in; no need for extra bowl or plates. “One pot meals” require fewer utensils to carry or prepare.
Simpler is better. Think about what adds weight or what could break. I suggest you read Beyond Backpacking or The PCT Hikers Handbook by Ray Jardine. While the books are written for long-distance backpackers, the author does raise some interesting questions about equipment selection and use for even the weekender.
One of our goals is to keep the pack weight below 30 pounds for a three day trip. To determine allowable pack weight, subtract 1 ½ pounds per day for food. (Water is not counted in the 30 pounds.) The problem people often face is that lighter also means more expensive. But if you shop around and try not to overbuy for your situation, you can get great gear and still keep the weight down. Here are some thoughts on how to do that.
Tent: Try to use a tent that weighs less than 3 pounds per person. For a backpacking trip in late August we would probably take a tarp that weighs about one pound. That is ½ pound per person. If we were going earlier in the summer when bugs were out we may take a tent. Unfortunately, many of the smaller tents have little room for gear or an ability to move around. Plus, when we take Denali, our golden retriever… well so much for having room to stretch out!
Sleeping bag: Down is lighter and warmer but more expensive. Try to get a bag that weighs less than 2 ½ pounds. Most sleeping bags have a temperature comfort rating. It is easy to get trapped into buying a 10 to 20 degree bag. For summer use we recently purchased a 2# 2oz down bag for $160 that will work for all but winter use. We also have a $90 bag rated to 40 degrees that is as small as a football. On colder nights we may go to sleep with our lightweight long underwear or fleece on. For really cold nights I have used my rain gear as a vapor barrier inside my bag and been quite warm.
Note: When we take our tent, we take only one sleeping bag and open it like a blanket. The additional warmth inside the tent is sufficient to keep us warm and the bag as a blanket keeps us well ventilated so we remain dry from moisture in the tent and still comfortable. If we take the tarp, we usually each take a sleeping bag for the warmth. Less weight with the tarp, more weight with the additional sleeping bag.
Backpack: By far the biggest culprit in adding weight is a large pack, for two reasons. Many large packs weigh 6-7+ pounds. They have additional straps and pockets that add weight. Plus, we seem to have the habit that if we have the room for storage, we take more stuff. Currently we each have a pack that holds approximately 3,600 cubic inches. It will carry 40 pounds in a pinch and is quite comfortable with less than 32 pounds. Its weight is 3# 2 oz. If we take the lid off, it weighs 2# 11 oz. It has a waterproof lining and storm collar that means we don’t need a pack cover for when it rains. It is a top-load pack, without any additional pockets. On cold nights I can slip my legs inside it as a bivouac sack. This is another way to keep my feet and legs warm.
With the above items, our shelter, bag and pack weigh less than 8 pounds. Try to stay less than ten pounds. That gives you 14 pounds for other gear plus food.
Sleeping Pad: The 2 main options here are an inflatable type (Therma-Rest) or a foam type (Ensolite). The Therma-Rest weighs twice what the Ensolite does. When I am camping by myself I can find small places where the ground is soft and the Ensolite type pad works great. Jane and I both agree the Therma-Rest type pads have more comfort. If I am going to add ounces, this is where I will add it. We use the 48” pads unless it is winter. During the summer the problem of providing comfort under your lower legs isn’t as important as protection from snow in winter.
Kitchen: We will talk more about stoves later and can share stoves on these trips. But I recently used a small stove made from a Coke can with fire tablets that is sufficient to cook once a day for dinner. Total weight is a few ounces. For the kitchen, all our meals are one-pot meals that we can eat with a spoon. We take one Swiss Army knife and thus have no need for forks. The most popular water bottle on the market is a Nalgene. They are very durable. The Lexan ones don’t absorb the flavor of the drink (or the iodine used to treat water) like the plastic ones do. We have plenty of Nalgene bottles, but over the last few years have taken to using the 1-liter plastic soft drink bottles. They are much lighter. While not as durable as Nalgene bottles, they will certainly last for a two week trip. For water treatment, you can use a filter or iodine tablets. If I were going by myself, I would take iodine tablets. It’s true the water tastes funny, but I save over a pound in weight. Plus I am boiling water at dinner anyway so it isn’t treated with tablets.
Misc.: For a flashlight we either take headlamps or a small 2 1/2” mini-lite. If we think we will be hiking at night we take the headlamp. But if it’s in summer, when the days are long, we just take the mini-lite. Again 2 oz instead of 6 oz. We take a wash cloth that clips on our bag. It is easily accessible so we use it throughout the day to wash the dust off and clean up at camp. We don’t take bug repellent unless the bugs are bad.
Clothing: For a summer trip we hike in a pair of nylon shorts. They are quick drying and well ventilated. We have one short-sleeved shirt. Sometimes we take a pair of shorts and shirt to slip into at night so we can sleep in something clean(er). We also take one pair of lightweight polypropylene long underwear and a pair of fleece pants and jacket. For rain gear we have a jacket and pants. We have both Gore-tex type products that weigh much more than straight coated nylon products. Depending on when we are going and where, we try to take the lighter pants and jacket. We ALWAYS take a large 40-gallon garbage bag. On a couple of occasions I have used it for protection from severe storms. A hole for your neck and arms and viola ….. raingear! Plus it allows me to cover gear at night, or place wet shoes in my sleeping bag to help dry them out.
Feet: If your feet don’t work, you’re stuck. We have collected a variety of boots and shoes over the years. We have hiked thousands of miles in running or athletic shoes. It’s true you don’t have the support of a heavy boot. You also don’t have something that weighs a lot, is relatively inflexible, creates blisters and is often very hot on your feet. Plus, if you have done a good job hiking in preseason, you’ll find your ankles and feet have strengthened so you don’t need the heavier footwear. We suggest a lightweight hiking shoe. Leave room for your foot to swell slightly. (At least a half size larger.) For socks we use a synthetic sock (not cotton). Some of you may prefer liner socks as well.
I realize, for some, you may be wondering if this is the trip for you. Can I carry this gear, can I be in good enough condition to enjoy this trip? One of the most memorable experiences I had when I was hiking from Mexico to Canada was when I ran into a 76-year-old gentleman also hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. At that time he had hiked over 800 miles. It changed my outlook on life. At a time when I thought I was running out of time, here was a man over twice my age having as much fun as one could imagine. I realized then I was just beginning to enjoy life’s experiences!
Feel free to contact Jane or me as you look for gear. We have quite a bit of stuff to look at if it helps.
Equipment List
Shelter:
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Tent, tarp or bivy sack
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Plastic ground sheet
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Sleeping pad
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Sleeping bag
Kitchen:
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Stove
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Fuel, lighter / matches
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Cookpot
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Utensils
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Biodegradable soap and scrubber
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Small garbage bag
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2 Water bottles - 1 qt. (recommend Nalgene)
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Water purification - filter, tablets or iodine
Food:
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Breakfasts
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Lunches
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Dinners (plus dessert!)
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Snacks
First-Aid Supplies:
Miscellaneous:
Clothing:
Whenever possible, stay away from cotton, instead select quick drying products.
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Waterproof jacket and pants
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Shorts or long pants (brush or sun protection)
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Short-sleeved shirt
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Long-sleeved shirt
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Fleece jacket / vest
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Fleece pants
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Sun hat
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Fleece or wool hat
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Fleece or polypropylene gloves
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Emergency 30-40 gallon plastic garbage bag - required
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Shoes - lightweight fabric hiking shoes, leather is O.K. Try to stay away from heavy hiking boots.
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Socks - synthetic light to mid-weight, 2 pair. May also want moisture-wicking liner socks.
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