Prior to this trip, my backpacking experience had been limited to long weekend trips (2-3 nights max) in Point Reyes National Seashore and Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe. While not having to carry the weight of a tent and food (including a bear canister) was going to make the trip a lot easier, I still had never backpacked 6-10 miles for six days straight. Never really considering myself as a "strong" person, I hoped that my frequent day hikes, morning runs around Lake Merritt and regular yoga practice was enough fitness to prepare me for the physical challenge ahead.