Cimarron, New Mexico

Backpacking in the Southern Rockies

In about 1 weeks time, I will be going to Cimarron, New Mexico on a ten day backpack through the southern rockies. This will be my first big backpack since my Whitney trip in 2006. Back then my photography interests were limited to my Casio P&S. Although the main goal of this trip is not photography, photography will remain a big aspect.

Gear:

Canon 50D

EF 20mm f/2.8

 EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6

 Slik 340 Tripod

Slik Ballhead
7GB worth of CF Cards

Tamrac 5682

Lowerpro Lens Case 1S

2 BP-511A battery packs

My main worry are the batteries. I know that based on the amount of memory I'm taking, I'll be limited to about 1200 shots. I will not be shooting RAW because its a pain to process and I don't want to deal with 20mb+ files sizes. According to Canon, I should be able to get about 800 pops per battery meaning that in real life it should be more around 600. I should have bought 2 or 3 chinese knockoffs they wouldn't have arrived in time. So I had to head on out to Samys and lay down $50 for a BP-511A, ridiculous I know. But hopefully I will be able to make it through those 10 days. I will be bringing a charger because I will be taking AMTRAK to Cimarron and I'm hoping they will have 120v outlets on the trains. Most plane bathrooms have them to I might be spending prolonged periods of time in the bathroom This should allow me to take some pictures from the train while keeping my battery charge at 100%.

Glass is definitely a big factor. In addition to what Im brining, I also have a EF 50mm f/1.4 and a M42 mount 35-105mm. I don't want to have to deal with a manual focus lens so the 35-105 is out. In addition, I believe that the 50 won't help me much. I love that lens but I don't see it getting much use on this trip. I am limited to two lenses because I have one on the body and one in the Lowepro case.

I decided to bring the 50D because although its heavier then the XTi, im less worried about it getting banged up. Plus, I bought the camera to be used to as long as I get some good pictures Im ok with a little ding here or there.

I only have one tripod, the Slik 340 which weighs as much as a small refrigerator but I guess thats what its gunna be.

Im using a Gregory Baltoro which has about 4000 cubic inches of space. Its small but it should do the job. We have two food pickups along the way so well only be carrying about 3 days of food at a time.

I hope that everything goes well and Ill post an update after I get back.