April 23, 2024, I embarked on a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip across the Trans Catalina Trail (TCT).
DAY 1:
We had pre-purchased separate tickets on the Catalina Express: 6 am from Long Beach to Avalon and 11 am from Two Harbors to San Pedro, totaling about $96 per person. Jimbo and I met Eric and Torin at San Pedro Harbor around 4:30 am, where Eric left his car. We all got in one car and drove to Long Beach Harbor. We hopped on the ferry and enjoyed coffee during the 90-minute trip to Avalon. Avalon was already hustling and bustling at 7:30 am. We filled up on water and snacks at the local Vons and even used the restroom.
We immediately started the hike up through the town and to the top of Hermit Gulch Trail. We went through buffalo country, made lunch, and hiked past ocean vistas, canyons, lakes, oak trees, and the widest variety of plant life I have ever seen. We eventually made it to Blackjack Campground around 2 pm, after covering 11 miles. We eagerly set up camp, made a snack or dinner, and then hiked up to Blackjack Peak before sunset. Enjoy 4K drone footage of the view from Blackjack Peak and the sunset over the island, where we ended DAY 1 on the TCT.
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Gear Essentials:
1. Backpack: Comfortable, durable (45-60 liters). Examples: Osprey Atmos AG 65 or Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10.
2. Tent/Shelter: Lightweight, weather-resistant. Examples: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or MSR Hubba Hubba NX.
3. Sleeping Bag: Lightweight, compressible for the season. Examples: REI Co-op Magma 15 or Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20.
4. Sleeping Pad: Insulated and compact. Examples: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite or Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Mat.
Clothing:
5. Base Layers: Moisture-wicking shirts and underwear. Examples: Merino wool or synthetic fabrics.
6. Insulating Layer: Fleece or down jacket. Examples: Patagonia Down Sweater or The North Face ThermoBall Jacket.
7. Outer Layer: Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants. Examples: Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket or Marmot PreCip Eco Pants.
8. Hiking Pants/Shorts: Lightweight, quick-drying. Examples: Prana Stretch Zion Pants or Columbia Silver Ridge Shorts.
9. Hat and Gloves: For sun protection and warmth. Examples: Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap and REI Co-op Fleece Gloves.
10. Socks: Moisture-wicking, cushioned. Examples: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew or Smartwool PhD Outdoor Socks.
11. Footwear: Sturdy, broken-in. Examples: Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX or Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator.
Cooking and Hydration:
12. Stove: Lightweight with fuel. Examples: MSR PocketRocket 2 or Jetboil Flash.
13. Cookware: Compact pot, mug, utensils. Examples: GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist II.
14. Water Filtration: Water filter or purifier. Examples: Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree.
15. Hydration System: Water bottles or hydration bladder (2 liters). Examples: Platypus Big Zip EVO or Nalgene bottles.
16. Food: Lightweight, high-calorie meals and snacks.
Navigation and Safety:
17. Maps and Compass/GPS: Detailed map and reliable compass or GPS. Examples: Garmin eTrex 32x or Gaia GPS app.
18. Headlamp: With extra batteries. Examples: Black Diamond Spot 350 or Petzl Actik Core.
19. First Aid Kit: Comprehensive, tailored to needs. Examples: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7.
20. Multi-tool: For repairs and emergencies. Examples: Leatherman Wave+ or Victorinox Swiss Army Classic.
21. Fire Starter: Waterproof matches, lighter, or fire steel. Examples: UCO Stormproof Matches or Light My Fire FireSteel.
22. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB): For emergencies. Examples: Garmin inReach Mini or SPOT Gen3.
Miscellaneous:
23. Trekking Poles: For stability. Examples: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork or Leki Micro Vario Carbon.
24. Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses. Examples: SPF 30+ sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, polarized sunglasses.
25. Toiletries: Biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, trowel. Examples: Dr. Bronner's soap, Sea to Summit Pocket Trowel.
26. Towel: Quick-drying, packable. Examples: PackTowl Personal Towel.
27. Trash Bags: For packing out waste.
28. Camera/Journal: For documenting your journey.
Optional but Recommended:
29. Portable Charger: To keep electronics charged. Examples: Anker PowerCore 10000.
30. Camp Chair: Lightweight, foldable. Examples: Helinox Chair Zero.
Planning Tips:
Obtain necessary camping permits. Check the weather forecast and adjust gear accordingly. Plan water refills as water can be scarce on the TCT.
This streamlined list covers the essential gear for a successful and enjoyable trek on the Trans-Catalina Trail. Happy hiking!
Music:
Oilix - Surf Boogie
Oilix - Nice Weather for Surfing
Flamingosis - Football Head
Flamingosis - Finesse
RepostQ - jazzyfav.