Whenever I have two days off in a row, I try to squeeze in a quick backcountry trip. Summer in Salt Lake City means that within 30 minutes, I can get to amazing high alpine trailheads with countless peaks and lakes to explore. I never regret a night spent under the stars and morning coffee with the company of deer (and sometimes moose). These quick trips refresh my soul and inspire me to continue exploring my backyard for as long as I’m fortunate to live here.
With all these quick trips so far this summer, I’ve fine-tuned my overnight setup. My goal is to travel light enough for it to be enjoyable and speedy, but I do bring a few luxury items that I normally wouldn’t carry for a trip when the goal is to crush miles. Here’s what you can find in my pack for a 24-hour jaunt into the Utah backcountry.
Overnight Tent, Sleep System, Pack
My number one priority is comfort on quick overnights. In between two full workweeks, I don’t want to spend one of my nights off tossing and turning in the dirt. Also, I love to see the stars at night so I bring a freestanding or a double-walled tent when pack weight isn’t my number one priority.
- Tent: two person and roomy
- REI Trail Hut 2: My go-to if I’m backpacking with a friend. It’s super roomy, and super affordable.
- Six Moon Designs Haven Bundle: A lighter option that still gives me the option to sleep without a tarp obstructing my vision.
- Sleep system: lofty and warm
- Enlightened Equipment Rev-HOLE-ation 20: I’m never disappointed by this quilt. Ever.
- Therm-a-Rest Prolite Apex: I haven’t had the opportunity to test many sleeping pads, and it’s because I love this one so much. It’s a bit on the heavier and bulkier side, but it’s so comfy and warm enough for any three-season adventure.
- Pack: 40-55 liters
- Six Moon Designs Swift V 49L: This is my do-it-all pack. It’s big enough to fit a few extra items for luxurious trips, and extremely efficient at distributing the weight. It also compresses down easily, so when I have a light load I can comfortably jog/quickly hike without my gear bouncing around.
- Six Moon Designs Swift V 49L: This is my do-it-all pack. It’s big enough to fit a few extra items for luxurious trips, and extremely efficient at distributing the weight. It also compresses down easily, so when I have a light load I can comfortably jog/quickly hike without my gear bouncing around.
Camp Kitchen
- Jetboil Flash Cook System: Morning coffee in the backcountry is 80% of the reason why I live for overnights. The Flash boils water in 2-3 minutes (even at 10,000 feet), and has enough capacity to make water for a hot breakfast and coffee in one go. I also own the Jetboil Stash, but typically save it for longer, ultralight trips.
Overnight Backpacking Clothing
One of my favorite things about overnights is the lack of clothing systems you have to carry. If there’s rain or thunderstorms in the forecast, chances are I’ll save my trip for another day. Unlike a thru-hike, I bring only exactly what I know I will need, which means I often leave my down jacket, rain jacket, and base layers at home. One luxury of overnight trips is having a clean and dry outfit for sleeping.
- Worn garments
- Arc’teryx Kapta Shorts: These are my go-to hiking/trail running shorts. They have a built-in liner, hidden pockets, and a tied waistband (I prefer this to a drawstring).
- Vuori Plyo Tank Top: This tank top is the absolute best. It’s comfortable as hell, and has a built-in bra so I usually don’t have to pack an extra sports bra (unless I’m planning on running or swimming).
- Wrightsock CoolMesh Quarter Socks: These socks are perfect for the summer. The quarter height keeps most of the dirt or mud out of my shoes, yet they’re still extremely breathable and lightweight. The double layer design also prevents blisters.
- Altra Lone Peak 5s: I’ve put about 500 miles on my first pair of these, and am just starting to think about replacing them. They’re crazy comfortable, and transition from hiking to running seamlessly.
- Sleeping clothes:
- Vuori Performance Jogger Pants: I wore these practically every day when I bought them at the beginning of COVID lockdowns. They feel like butter next to the skin and are perfect for a cozy night bundled up in my quilt.
- Outdoor Research Trail Mix Cowl Neck Pullover: My favorite fleece, even compared to my Melanzana. It’s perfect for snuggling up, and also extremely efficient at wicking moisture if I’m wearing it while hiking on a cool morning.
- Smartwool Mountaineering Extra Cushion Crew Socks: Fresh socks and cozy toes make me so happy.
Luxury Items
What I bring to entertain myself varies by each trip, but here are some of my favorite luxury items for a quick overnight.
- ENO DoubleNest Hammock: Sunset reading and morning coffee is so much more enjoyable overlooking an alpine lake in a hammock.
- Therm-a-Rest Airhead Down Pillow: Backpacking pillows are an all-the-time item for me, and this is my current favorite. But, if you’re someone who uses a balled-up puffy on longer trips I highly recommend swapping it out for a pillow on quick jaunts.
- Paper books: Bonus points if you read over 100 pages in one sitting. Electronic readers like Kindles are much lighter and more practical for thru-hikes, but I always bring a paper novel when I carry extra weight.
Bonus: Trail Running Setup
A lot of the trips I take involve tagging a peak above my campsite, and then heading back down. For this, I’ve found it extremely helpful to pack running-specific gear so I can travel light and fast on ridgelines, while still having appropriate equipment. This includes:
- Osprey Dyna 6 Hydration Vest
- Patagonia Houdini Wind Jacket
- Trekking poles
- Running snacks (gels, chews, Nuun tablets, and leftover pizza)
