Due to some unforeseen responsibilities we’re not going to be able to stay out backpacking this coming weekend. I know, I know.  What happened to that shirking responsibility mentality?  So what do the band of backpackers do when they aren’t backpacking?  They decide to make a short backpacking trip into a day hike!

Our plan is still to do the Comanche-Venable Loop in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness of Colorado.  Our plan is to meet at our house at 6am, drive 3 hours to the trailhead, hike the epic loop (13 miles and 4700′ of elevation!) Phantom Terrace (Lydia is scared out of her mind after Googling this so it’s a delicate subject) and all, get some good old Texas BBQ from Rudy’s in Colorado Springs, drive back to Denver, and be responsible again on Sunday.  Whew!

Comanche-Venable-Loop 13 miles and 4700 feet of elevation

Given that I haven’t done a big day hike in a while, thought I’d throw out what I was thinking gear-wise.  Am I missing anything?  Have you ever hiked the Phantom Terrace, any comforting words for Lydia? Leave it in the comments!

Items Worn or Carried

Shirt – Patagonia Capilene 2 Zip Neck

Pants – REI Convertible

Underwear – Patagonia Silkweight Boxer

Headwear – Tilley LT6B

Shoes – Montrail Hardrock Trail Runners

Socks – DeFeet WoolEAtor

Gaiters – Dirty Girls

Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Flick Lock

Watch – Nike

Sunglasses – Smith Escapade

Pack – REI Flash 18

Items in Pack

Shell – GoLite Malpais/Trinity WP/B Rain Jacket

Insulation – PatagoniaNano Puff Pullover

Warm Hat – none, use jacket hood

Gloves – OR Omni Gloves

Emergency Shelter – Emergency blanket

Food – various bars and snacks

Hydration – 2 1 liter platypus bottles with hose, + Aquamira drops for purification

First Aid & Toiletries – Bandages, basic meds, moleskin, sunscreen, chapstick

Knife – Benchmade, probably not necessary

Lighting – Petzl Tikka XP

Caribiners – 2 GG mini’s for clipping stuff to pack

Map – printed from National Geographic Topo! Software in sandwich bag

Compass – Silva baseplate

Camera - Canon SD940 IS Digital Elph

Pencil – golf pencil for recording pace on map

Wallet – broccoli rubber band with ID and insurance card