Fitpacking

Only 3% of the Redwoods that originally blanketed the Pacific Coast still stand. Come walk through time in beautiful Redwood National Park where the few remaining old growth redwoods are preserved from being cut down to make decks and picnic tables. You will walk through groves of leviathan trees that are centuries or even millenia old and can grow more than 350' tall.

Our trip will begin in Redwood National Park and morph into Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, eventually heading through Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and ending in Oregon, just over the California border. You may see herds of regal Roosevelt Elk, catch glimpses of whales from scenic outlooks high above the pacific, view a black bear or perhaps see a sea otter or the rare and endangered marbled murrelet. If you've never seen the Pacific Coast or a Redwood Tree, this is the trip for you.

The Redwood National Park Fitpacking Trip will be from Jun 19 - Jul 1, 2010. Here is the proposed itinerary.

Our journey will begin in Redwood National Park where we'll visit the Tall Trees Grove on the first day. We’ll backpack down Redwood Creek. Then we'll take the Skunk Cabbage Trail where we hike on the sand along the beautiful Pacific Coast. From the beach we head into Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park where you are almost certain to see majestic Roosevelt Elk (and you can get a shower). We soon head up to the Ossagon Rocks, get a Jet Boat ride across the Klamath River and hike up to the amazing Klamath Overlook. We head into Del Norte Redwood State Park and back to the coast. After a night in a Crescent City hotel, we'll hike up the beach, get a boat ride across the Smith River, finish our trip in the State of Oregon and shuttle you back to Arcata.

The trails through Redwood National Park are well groomed with good footing and moderate elevation gain and loss (although it may not always seem like that while hiking). Difficulties arise because there are days of 10+ mile hikes planned, with some of it on the beach which although flat can retard progress. The upside is that you get stronger as you hike and that continually changing incredible scenery will keep you engaged.

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s and 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 80 and as low as 30. Here is the historical June weather. On the July 2009 trip, the weather was so mild and clear, we were able to sleep out under the stars almost every night.

Steve Silberberg, who lives in Hull, MA has many years of backpacking experience over a variety of terrains and guides most Fitpacking trips. He is a SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Certified Food Handler.

Jesse Hardie is a Wilderness First Responder originally from Alpharetta, GA and has led Fitpacking trips to the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Here is a list of equipment we suggest you bring. The list is extensive and can seem daunting, but please don't let this deter you from the trip. We can provide many of the items for you to borrow or rent for a nominal fee if you let us know far enough ahead of the trip to bring them for you. Please feel free to discuss any items of question with us before the trip.

We don't believe in austere eating regimens. Backpacking is a rigorous, rewarding activity. You must feed your body in order for it perform. Your body will dictate that you eat often, so it's important to have fuel to feed it. Please check out the sample menus. This list is not comprehensive and may be altered or augmented. If you want to bring personal food, say a 5 pound chocolate cake, go for it. You'll not only hate carrying it over 100 miles through the Redwoods, your body will reject the empty calories and prefer nutritious food.

$1600 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 3 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Eureka/Arcata (ACV), personal equipment and any restaurant meals eaten off the trail.

Covered expenses include 3 hotel nights, campground fees, 2 boat rides, 12 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits, Finnish baths and sauna, insurance, and 2 awesome guides.