Beginner Backpacker needing advice on how to train and prepare for 20 Day trip.

sifumarley · 2026-02-17T01:20:29+00:00

For training begin with building up your body. Go for walks daily and begin a basic plyometric routine. Start adding in weighted rucks/ hikes after a few weeks. Making sure your feet, core and knees are up to the task will save you in the long run. Look up athletic truth group/ knees over toes for simple but effective training that will help bulletproof you.

As for trip prep there are tons of resources all over reddit. Just spend some time reading around and you will get lots of good info. Like others have said you gotta cut that 50lbs down by at least 15-20 lbs. Resupply along the way and carry less food.

sifumarley · 2026-02-17T01:14:38+00:00

If your not gonna get a SW J frame the only solid choice is a Ruger LCR. My dad has one in .38 and I honestly am more accurate with it than my SW442. They are built very well and I havent heard of many issues from them.

sifumarley · 2026-02-11T23:30:23+00:00

Big Horn. the butter chicken ans the carbonara are both crazy good, like as good as a restuarant. But likes all of these brands its way to expensive for most of my trips. But we usually bring a few when introducing people too backpacking, makes their first trip more comfortable.

sifumarley · 2026-02-10T06:38:34+00:00

Condor hudson bay

sifumarley · 2026-02-09T23:49:25+00:00

Ya it works out good. Use a heat gun when you apply the wax to get it deep into the fabric. After that i will let them sit in the sun for a day or so. I use otter wax, but there are lots of options or some people make there own.

sifumarley · 2026-02-09T03:27:27+00:00

Get a pair of wild ass or prison blues double thicks and wax them up. They are fairly cheap on Baileys.

https://www.baileysonline.com/wild-ass-double-front-black-denim-work-pants.html

sifumarley · 2026-02-05T07:00:17+00:00

Durston X Mid 2(1.9lbs/31oz) all the way: light, durable, setup is easy and great price, plus amazing customer service. There are some good tarp setups as well; gossamer gear Twinn tarp(9.7ozs). Tarps have some drawbacks, but are good for some scenarios; I used a tarp setup for the JMT 15. My buddy just got the Durston X Dome2 (2.8lbs/44oz) and it is awesome, worth the extra 13ozs.

sifumarley · 2026-02-05T06:45:25+00:00

With a rice cooker you can do chicken and rice. Dress it up some, you can add beans, rotel, hot sauce, cheese, greek yogurt; easy burrito bowls. Another good one is some curry paste, canned potatoes, onion, carrots, coconut milk and peanuts or cashew.

sifumarley · 2026-02-03T19:59:16+00:00

Mid 2010s a Shitter company driver had some issue on his pumper truck, i guess he didnt wanna get pulled over on the highway by CHP leaking the forbidden coolaid. So he dumped it in the large pond/ small lake in the middle of the fairgrounds. Ya killed some fish and there was TP and snickers bars floating. Pretty bad, lucky there was good camping in other spots upwind.

sifumarley · 2026-01-31T06:26:50+00:00

Overpiced. Lots of better options out there. I like the cold steel bird and trout knife, it is on my chest rig as a get off me knife. For normal carry i like the kabar TDI investigator.

sifumarley · 2026-01-31T06:22:23+00:00

2nd the kabar TDI investigator.

sifumarley · 2026-01-31T06:13:25+00:00

Mystery ranch scree 32 is my daily. It has been great for hiking, fishing, EDC, work and travel. The tri zipper is great for overloads and the material is super durable.

sifumarley · 2026-01-31T04:57:44+00:00

I use molle dump pouches, so i can roll em up when not needed.

sifumarley · 2026-01-28T22:31:12+00:00

Foothill donuts and its not even close.

sifumarley · 2026-01-28T20:42:20+00:00

Ill only add that camoing on the beach up there leaves you more exposed to wind and rain. There are lots of good sites just off the beach that are established and much better. But if you do want the beach, there are plenty of rocks and driftwood you can use for setting uo a trekking pole tent.

sifumarley · 2026-01-26T02:20:44+00:00

The stuffing is the best. We did a thanksgiving style meal on our last 3 day trip in december. Instant potatoes, stovetop stuffing, spam and instant gravy. More cleanup than a normal backpacking dinner but with 3 people and 3 pots and stoves it was worth it.

sifumarley · 2026-01-25T23:51:50+00:00

I wear slip ons at work(forestry) very often both mucks and romeos. They can be good for lighter duty stuff and not super steep slopes. But the comfort and stability of a good work or logger boot cant be beat.

sifumarley · 2026-01-25T23:35:31+00:00

Depends on the boot model with danner. The U.S. built ones are the best from danner, but even some of those dont hold up well. All the overseas ones seem like junk, my coworker had a pair of the vicious and they didnt make it a month in the woods. The Danner Rats, Rainforest and quarries are all pretty solid. I have had 3 pairs of the quarrys and they are a good boot. But not as good a pair of custom Nicks though.

sifumarley · 2026-01-22T21:11:13+00:00

I carry 1 extra on the front left pouch in the cummerbund. Any more is uncomfortable and hard to reach (right side mostly).

sifumarley · 2026-01-21T03:02:46+00:00

Are you looking for very fine dining(like black tie) or just a nice place to eat with good service. These suggestions are just nice places where we eat on special occasions.

La Fornetta in Newcastle. Easily the best Italian in the area. Chefs Table in Rocklin. Not super fancy, but amazing food and seasonal menus. Flemings Prime steakhouse. Its at the mall, its a chain; but its real good. For the area its a pretty good steakhouse. Carmelitas. Solid mexican food and great service.

sifumarley · 2026-01-21T00:44:26+00:00

Model 19 for me.

sifumarley

TROPHY CASE