Great little article. I've been doing quick overnighters for some time. They do let me test out gear and ideas -- things that I wouldn't want to have not work when multiple days away from a trailhead. And they let me keep "fresh" so that my setting up camp, breaking down camp, and packing are matters of routine, matters that I don't have to waste time on the first couple of days of a longer hike just to get back into the "groove."

I usually head out Friday after work, hike to a spot I can get to (hopefully) before dark, and set up camp. I'm usually out before noon the next day, although sometimes I use my camps to get a "jump" on a big day hike the next day (I cache my overnight gear and retrieve on the way out. If I'm out before noon, I still have practically a full weekend if I've got social commitments, "honey do" projects, etc.

In many areas, even fairly popular ones, I can camp alone on a Friday night just a mile or two from the trailhead.

It's a great way to spend time with friends: no distractions, no closing times, and nothing to do but "hang out."

Since I graduated college, it is harder to find time to get out. I have been trying over-nighters as you described and have been working out great. Going light makes a near 5-day trip possible in 2-days. Example: The Traverse by Matt Heid. A hike in the Bay Area from Palo Alto Hills to the coast at Big Basin SP. The hike is around 40-45 miles depending on route and says it is a 5-day trip. I completed this trip in 2-days, one night and was home for supper! By packing light and making it an over-nighter I was able to pretty much have some bagels and cheese, snickers and chocolate and peanut butter chips, but no stove.

Anyways, I about people like John Muir and Edward Abbey, who just throw some nuts in their pockets and go, if they had to sleep in the dirt, they did so and lived to tell about it.

What a wonderful piece. You bring life to the reason most of us decide to hike/camp. As a New York City resident, I can tell you that the few hours I drive to get away on my one night outings are always worth it.

Thank you

Great article.

Like others have already mentioned, this reminds me of Grant Petersen's S24O bicycle trips: https://www.rivbike.com/Articles.asp?ID=245

Fortunately, I live where I can walk out the door with my pack on and in less than 10 minutes of walking be out of town, on the trail and in seclusion.

Edited by bwnewton on 09/02/2012 18:45:26 MDT.

Hey they brought him up back in Oct. '09