What Should I Pack on my Inn-to-Inn Hike?

I've taken two incredible trips on the California coast North of San Francisco and I'm looking forward to more. Here are some of the things I was happy to have with me: * 1 or 2 sets of hiking clothes (depending on the length of the trip) * A set or 2 of clothes for going out at night * Rain jacket * Light layer * Camera * A pocket knife * Hard candy or special snack of choice * A deck of cards (if you're hiking with a friend) * A small journal * A paperback book * A sarong for coast walks good for beach lounging and toweling off * Bathing suit What do you recommend for a multi-day hike from inn to inn?

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  • I was rereading some of my old threads and wanted to mention that I am still using this REI Lookout 40 pack. The most recent trip was a month in Italy. Half of the trip was an organized bus tour with porters to handle larger bags, but the other two weeks was independent travel and we wanted to travel very light. Both my wife and I used our Lookout packs, and managed to fit everything we needed into them for the entire four weeks of travel. It was hilarious to see the luggage for our tour group sitting in the hotel lobby with row after row of giant rollies, and then our two little backpacks. There were people on the tour who had larger carry-ons than our entire luggage.

    One feature of the pack that came in really handy was the built in rain cover. We actually used it in the rain in Rome. But we also used the covers whenever we were in areas susceptible to pick pockets --- just one more layer of protection tha hides the zippers an pockets from view.

    The other thing I wanted to update was that the merino wool clothing my wife and I have both been using for traval has been working out great! Both Icebreaker and Ibex have come out with some good looking casual clothes in merino. I brought merino polo shirts, underwear, socks, and a sweater. My wife had even more merino items including a dress and pants. The clothes are great for travel because they pack up small, they are comfortable in cool temps and in heat, they dry quickly, and they naturally do not stink, so you can get several days of use before you have to rinse them out. I love this stuff! Even for my wilderness backpacking I'm starting to switch away from synthetic technical clothing to merino wool. I highly recommend it.
  • My wife and I just got backpacks that will be great for walkabouts. They are REI Lookout 40 daypacks. The "40" stands for 40 liters, so these are large 40-liter daypacks that are large enough to be considered "day plus" packs and can even be used for light overnight backpacking trips. In fact, I used it for a backpacking overnighter last weekend, and even though it was tight, the pack was able to accommodate about 25 pounds of backpacking gear very comfortably. With about half that much for an inn-to-inn hike, it will be great. 

     

    And even though the pack is large for a typical daypack it also has compression straps that can cinch it down into a much smaller pack for smaller loads. You can tighten it up nice and trim if you don't need all that space, so you don't feel like you have a larger pack than you need. You can also keep everything from just settling to the bottom of the compartment, so the pack rides better on your back and doesn't just hang.

     

    One of the things I really like about this pack is that it has an internal framesheet and aluminum stays, so it has a bit of structure and transfers weight off your shoulders and onto your hips pretty well. Most daypacks do not have that. 

     

    The pack has a sleeve for a hydration bladder (like a Playtpus or Camelbak) and a port to put the drinking tube over your shoulder. I've gotten very used to using a hydration system on wilderness backpacking trips, and it really helps you to drink enough water when you can sip it from a valve that's right in front of you rather than have to dig around for a water bottle every time you want a drink. But if you prefer bottles, the pack has two side mesh pockets that can easily hold bottles. 

     

    The pack has one large main compartment with a very large zipper opening, so it's really easy to get stuff in and out --- it's a zip-open panel, not a top loader. It also has a good sized front pocket with some organizers inside. It has two long side zipper pockets, in addition to the two side mesh pockets. It has one smaller zipper pocket on the very top of the bag. And it has one zippered mesh pocket on the hip belt for super easy access without taking off the pack. The other side of the hip belt has attachment points for attaching another pocket or maybe a camera pouch. 

     

    My wife got the women's version in green. I got the men's large version in blue. It's worth trying them on because I would have expected the men's medium to work for me, but the large actually fits better. 

     

    Like I mentioned, I've used mine on one overnighter backpacking trip, and it worked well. In preparation for the inn-to-inn hike, my wife is "in training," so we've loaded up the packs a few times with water, food and enough clothes to bring the load up to around 10 pounds, and then we've done some longer day hikes to get used to the load. So far the packs are working out great --- much better than your average day pack. We are going on a 2-week vacation in a couple of weeks and we are planning to carry everything for the entire trip in our Lookout packs. 

    • Eric,

       

      This is great info! I'm looking for a new walkabout pack. I've been making do with a pack that's less than ideal. I'm particularly excited about the size, extended zipper (rather than top loading) and hydration features. How do think the weight of this pack compares to those of similar quality?

       

      Emily

  • I wonder if it will be another year and a half before anyone gets back to this thread...
  • I'm also interested in this question brought up by Doug H. (a year and a half ago!).

     

    Does anyone know about how to arrange for bag forwarding on a DIY inn-to-inn trip? Do taxi services do this kind of thing? Mostly I think I will just carry everything, but I wold love to be able to send my extra clothes, toiletry kit, change of shoes, book, etc. forward to the next inn, especially if there are any nice restaurants that might expect a nicer dress code than my usual travel clothes. 

     

    Has anyone ever used bag forwarding?

    • Eric,

       

      Thanks for sharing your travel list! I appreciate your attention to detail. I carry just about everything listed, with few additional items. I've never sent anything ahead, as suggested by Doug, but I think it sounds totally feasible. My experience on Walkabouts is that inn keepers and community members are generally delighted by the idea of traveling without a car, and eager to provide support. Several times when I've asked an innkeeper about catching a taxi or bus and they've offered to give us a ride.

       

      When hiking, I wear my hiking clothes and carry one set of clean clothes for going out after a day on the trail. If going out in the same clothes for several nights or hiking everyday in the same clothes doesn't meet your hopes for fun, sight and scent, I suggest exploring options for sending clothes ahead with your inn keepers.

       

      If you give it a try, let us know how this plan works out.

       

      Thanks,

       

      Emily

  • Below is what I am planning to carry for a 3-4 day trip. It looks like it will be about 15 pounds in the pack. Is that what others generally end up with? Is there anything you would suggest I leave out? Weights for individual items are in ounces --- totals include pounds. 

     

    Worn/Carried on Person

    Sun Hat --- 4

    Merino Hiking Shirt, Short Sleeve --- 5

    Convertible Hiking Pants --- 12.1

    Merino Underwear --- 2

    Merino Hiking Socks --- 3

    Hiking Shoes --- 30

    Shades --- 2

    Watch --- 2

    Trekking Pole --- 10

    Total Worn/Carried --- 70.1 oz / 4.4 lbs

     

    Packed, Base Weight

    Daypack --- 19.3

    Mesh Clothes Bag --- 1

    Quick-Dry Travel Shirt, Long Sleeve --- 9.8

    Quick-Dry Travel Pants --- 12.1

    Merino Underwear --- 2

    Merino Hiking Socks --- 3

    Bathing Suit --- 3.7

    Merino Fleece Sweater --- 20.8

    Rain shell --- 16

    Rain pants --- 9

    Food Bag --- 1.1

    Platypus, 2-liter --- 4

    Toiletry Kit, sunscreen, etc. --- 11.4

    First Aid Kit --- 5

    Trowel --- 2

    TP --- 3

    Keys --- 1

    Wallet --- 3.7

    Phone --- 5

    Glasses & Case --- 2

    Knife --- 3

    Mini Bic lighter --- 0.4

    Pen/Pencil --- 0.3

    Emergency Blanket --- 1.7

    Headlamp --- 2

    Monocular --- 2

    Magnifying glass --- 1

    Compass --- 2

    Camera --- 9

    Book --- 9

    Total Base Weight --- 165.3 oz / 10.3 lbs

     

    Consumables

    Lunch --- 16

    Water, 2L --- 68

    Total Consumables --- 84 oz / 5.25 lbs

     

    Total Packed --- 249.3 oz / 15.6 lbs

     

    Total Skin-Out --- 319.4 oz / 20.0 lbs

     

  • We would like to walk super light. Does it make sense to ship changes of clothes, and fancy night wear, ahead of time to each inn, and then leave them with the inn the next morning, to be picked up on the drive back home? Has anyone tried this? What has been the response by inn-keepers?
  • I like to hike light. I take one pair of zip off pants. I'd rather wash underwear and socks in the sink every other day than carry extras. I take one over shirt that is warm and nice enough for dinner in a restaurant. I also carry a compass, maps, and a small first aid kit. Don't forget lunch.

    Tom Courtney
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