Supplies & Equipment

Trip Updates & Recommendations -

• Trail Route - the trail route will be made available. GPS files will be made available to allow you to upgrade your GPS. You will NOT have cellular phone service so you will not be able to use apps like Google Maps for navigation. If you want to use your cell phone for a GPS you will need an app that stores maps and not rely on Internet for realtime downloads. I will be using an application called Gaia GPS on my iPad with downloaded maps. This app has worked out nicely for me
• Vehicle – Your vehicle must have 4-wheel drive, high clearance and a 2 speed transfer case with low gear. I highly suggest having at least all-terrain tires. Make sure your vehicle is 100% solid. All front-end parts are tight and not worn. You will be on some pretty tough roads. I am not talking about rock crawling but just very rocky roads which will beat up your suspension. Please make sure it is 100% in good repair, your tires have good tread and is 100% mechanically sound. Your transfer case and transmission will be getting a work-out too.
• Packing – All your supplies MUST BE SECURED. Serve road conditions, very steep grades, large bumps/rocks will occur often and seemingly continuously. All supplies must be secured to keep them from getting damaged and flying around the vehicle. Suggestion: place all supplies into plastic bins and then racket-strap bins down.
• Food – Most of the trip time will be spent driving and exploring in very remote areas. Bring meals which can be quickly prepared with minimal clean up and fuss. Water, garbage disposal and meal time is very limited. Consider eating freeze dried backpacking food. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to prepare, very simple to prepare (heat water, add to bag, stir and let stand) and very little clean up. It is light-weight. Consider using Mountain House freeze dried foods. In addition to meals, plan to bring a quantity of snacks, too.
• Clothes – You should pack for every type of weather – sunny & warm, cloudy & cool, freezing cold, rain, hail, snow. Hopefully, we will have a lot of sunny & warm weather. Typical day time temps are between 60 to 80 degrees and night time temps often reach the low 20’s. Keep in mind we will be spending a lot of time near or above the tree line (9000 feet above sea level) so temperatures will be cooler at those elevations and temperatures cool down quickly after sun down. Dressing in layers works the best – and then remove layers as temperatures upwarm, add layers when temperature cool down. BRING A GOOD SLEEPING BAG RATED FOR 25 DEGREE BAG or colder
• Communications – You will not have any cell phone coverage most of the trip. There will be no electric, running water or wash rooms once you hit the trails. You will be pretty isolated. Each vehicle will need to have a GRMS radio so that we can keep communicating while traveling. Higher power radios with external antennas are best.
• Highly Recommended Items -
  • Think: compact, light, small & simple
  • Tent
  • Tarp for under tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Pillow
  • Small shovel
  • Toilet paper
  • Rain gear
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Medications
  • Folding chair
  • Stove + Fuel
  • 3 to 5 Gallon Water Container
  • Spork, cup, plate, small pot
  • Food - freeze dried meals recomended
  • Flashlight
  • Layered clothing
  • Toiletries