I found my list from last time, so here it is. We will be on the trail 5 days, 4 nights. This means we will do laundry at least once (socks, underwear, t-shirts).

For each manly backpacker:

1 - long pants

1 - shorts

1 - long sleeve shirt (thick or a quilted shirt)

1 - light jacket/windbreaker, preferably water repellant. It will be cooler at night than our previous trips.

6 - socks (will wear double - should have at least one pair of synthetic liner socks)

2 - pairs of tennis shoes/hiking boots. 1 pair should fit well with double socks, 1 pair of old ones for river crossings.

3 - underwear

3 - t-shirts, light colored.

1 - cap

1 - wash cloth

1 - hand towel

Personal Items: (can be shared to cut down on weight)

- camera

- sun block

- deodorant

- lotion (if needed)

- soap (liquid or small bar in a baggie)

- deep woods off

- toothbrush/toothpaste

- breakdown fishing pole and small amounts of hooks/sinkers/lures if they want to fish.

- pocket knife

- small flashlight

- toilet paper

Essential Equip:

- sleeping bag and sleeping pad

- raingear ($1.99 poncho is perfect)

- 1 quart saucepan w/lid (can share one between them)

- 1 fork/spoon

- 1 plastic mug (big enough to eat oatmeal out of)

- 1 quart water bottle that seals

Food:

Uncle Scott, old……… nephews young, strong like bull. Nephews need to carry all their own breakfasts (4), Lunches (5), and 1 supper.

Breakfast (4):

I recommend (per day) 1 or 2 packs of instant oatmeal, a breakfast bar (granola or something), and hot chocolate.

Lunch (5):

Since we will be on the trail for lunch, it should be light and full of carbs. Usually a power bar, trail mix, pudding, fruit strips and Gatorade.

Supper (4):

Nephews should pack 1 substantial supper. Whatever they feel like carrying! I will bring the rest of the suppers (3). 1 will be freeze-dried meals (mmmmMMMMMM good), 1 will be MRE, and 1 will be something like mac-n-cheese-n-spam.

The packs fully packed with water should weigh 25% to 33% of carrier’s weight. 25% is optimum but definitely should not exceed 33%. Lighter the better.

Nephews will divide and carry the tent they will be sleeping in (the one from last year (unless pack weight becomes an issue then I could probably help out for a fee). I will carry my own 1 man tent, stove, water purifier, and medical kit.

The plan is to leave VERY early Saturday (the 27th) morning and get back late afternoon on Wednesday (the 31st). Tentatively, Liz will drop us off at Willow Creek (about a 4.5 hour drive), and Chris will pick us up at the Cliff Dwellings.