Backpacking Archives – Marcus Hellberg

30-mile overnighter in California’s Emigrant Wilderness

By marcushellberg on 2020-10-252020-10-25

2020 has been a tough year for backpacking in California. Most parks and forests were closed in the early season due to COVID restrictions. After a short summer, the Californa fire season kicked in, forcing most Californians to stay home for almost two months because of unhealthy smoke levels.

6-day backpacking adventure in Kings Canyon

By marcushellberg on 2020-08-232020-08-23

I met Brandon and Steve last year on an adventure trip organized by Andrew Skurka in Rocky Mountain National Park. We decided already during the trip that we should plan another adventure together since we all live near each other in California.

Awesome 3-night JMT & PCT backpacking trip in Ansel Adams

By marcushellberg on 2020-07-052020-07-31

My previous backpacking trip to Desolation Wilderness had been a nice and leisurely weekend stroll. This time around, I wanted something more physically demanding and adventurous. I wanted to go higher, farther, and off-trail. Ideally, I wanted to go to Ansel Adams wilderness to revisit some of my favorite places along the JMT.

Bacon mac and cheese: 2-ingredient easy backpacking meal

By marcushellberg on 2020-06-142020-08-09

As you start spending more time on the trail, you’ll quickly realize that Mountain House and other commercial backpacking meals can blow your budget fast.

3 days of awe-inspiring backpacking in Desolation Wilderness

By marcushellberg on 2020-06-072020-07-29

My friend Joonas and I had been planning an early June hiking trip to Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. We had a permit for June 4. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip.

3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop

By marcushellberg on 2019-11-032020-07-29

Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking.

Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip with Andrew Skurka

By marcushellberg on 2019-09-292020-07-30

For me, the best way to learn new skills is to work with experts. Most of my backpacking has been on established trails until now. I wanted to learn the skills needed to safely and confidently start planning my own off-trail adventures. Andrew Skurka is one of the backpackers who I’ve followed online for several years. I’ve learned a lot from his insightful articles and videos, so when I saw that he’s arranging guided trips, I knew I wanted to go on one.

JMT: Crabtree Meadows to Mt. Whitney

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-092020-07-30

Day 14 – 186miles, 4170ft ascent

I had prepared everything for the morning before going to bed. I’d gone through what I needed to do and in what order. I was packed up 20 minutes after my alarm went off. I even had time to have a quick coffee while I waited for Robbie to get ready.

JMT: Forrester Pass and Crabtree Meadows

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-082020-07-30

Day 13 – 19.5miles, 4000ft ascent

We woke up at 5. We wanted to get over Forrester Pass and Bighorn Plateau before any storms started forming.

JMT: Rae Lakes and Glenn Pass

By marcushellberg on 2019-08-072020-07-31

Day 12 – 16.3 miles, 4575ft ascent

I slept in until 6:30 and had breakfast before heading out. The day started out in deep, dark woods, but the views started opening up as I gained elevation.