A couple of weeks ago we went to the flagship REI downtown by Lake Union. Our mission was to find backpacks so that we could start training with some real weight. For the past six hikes or so, we’ve been carrying full water bottles in a Jansport backpack from high school. That wasn’t the best for our backs or our shoulders, especially when we had more than 10 lbs. in it.
When we arrived in the backpack section, there were at least 20 people browsing the collection of packs. REI had their 20% off sale for members so the store was extremely busy. We couldn’t talk to anyone in the beginning so we started by trying on some packs to see how they felt. We eventually talked to one of the staff members and he recommended a few options for the type of trip we are taking up Rainier. For our 3-day expedition, he recommended a 65 liter pack or so, which could comfortably hold 40 lbs. After selecting a Deuter ACT Lite 65+10 pack, he loaded it with 30 lbs. to see how the pack felt with weight in it. That 30 lbs. was pretty heavy and made me really appreciate the importance of a good pack. His advice was to put about 70% of the weight on my hips and 30% on my shoulders. It’s important that the hip straps sat at the middle to top portion of the iliac crest on the hips. Then there’s a chest strap to pull the shoulder straps in. After a few adjustments, I walked around the store for 15 minutes or so and decided the Deuter pack was the one for me.
Carla trying on a few packs to see which was the right fit.
Here I am with the Deuter pack with 30 lbs. and some poles.
Brian had a similar experience with his pack and decided on a Deuter as well.
We called Alpine Ascents (our guide service) the following week to make sure the packs fit their specifications, and they said those were good choices.
The following week we went back to REI and since the 20% off sale was over, REI was nearly empty. We went to the hiking boot section and tried on some approach shoes. The Alpine Ascents gear guy said that depending on the condition of the trail up Rainier, we may or may not need approach shoes. If there is a lot of snow on the hike we will wear our plastic rental boots with crampons the whole way up. But if the snow has melted, we will be hiking on dirt and approach shoes will be lighter and more comfortable on dirt trails. But then we have to carry the plastic boots in our pack. I think the guides will advise us when we get to Paradise and tell us which shoes we should wear and/or carry. Regardless, we plan on wearing our approach shoes to train in this spring/summer, and after putting the pack on, I realized how important good boots are. I settled on some Keen Targhees because they have a wider toe box than other shoes. I also tried on SuperFeet, which are plastic insoles. They support the foot much better than insoles that don’t have a plastic base and are meant to be worn when putting a lot of pressure on the feet. I’m excited to try them out along with my boots and backpack.
On a fundraising note...thanks to generous donors, on Thursday, April 29, we’ve raised half of the required $5,000 needed to climb Rainier! It feels really good reaching the $2,500 mark, but we still have a long way to go. We’ll be selling sugar, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies at the West Seattle Garage Sale next Saturday and hope to raise some money and awareness about the Climb and about Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We’ll be wearing our packs and hiking boots then too!
Until next time…
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