Backpacking Essentials for a Weekend in Yosemite • The Blonde Abroad

I recently took my first trip to Yosemite and spent three days trekking through the backcountry.

While it was physically tough, it was an unforgettable experience! I learned a lot about planning for my backpacking trip and what essentials were needed to be completely prepared for Yosemite’s backcountry.

Here’s my guide to backpacking essentials for a weekend in Yosemite!

Essential Gear

Backpack

The Gregory Cairn 68 is my personal travel backpack. It’s designed specifically for the female body and is built for organization and easy access!

Sleeping Bag

This sleeping bag is my favorite for comfort, warmth and it is lightweight for packing purposes!

Tent

You really want a light tent for backpacking, and the MSR HUBBA HUBBA NX is light and spacious enough for two people.

Sleeping Pad

I learned that a sleeping pad is an absolute essential for a backpacking trip. They’re compact and lightweight but provide serious comfort after a long day of hiking.

Solar Charger

A solar charger is the best way to charge any must-have electronics during your trip! Just strap it to your backpack and it’ll charge your devices while you hike.

Portable Speaker

For campfire entertainment, don’t forget a portable speaker. The FUGOO Sport Speaker is wireless, waterproof and holds a charge for 40 hours!

Headlamp

An LED headlamp is an absolute essential for navigating in the dark (especially for “when nature calls” at midnight!)

Portable Burner

This portable burner has a compact design that folds up so you can travel light but still enjoy hot water and a cooked meal. Make sure you don’t forget the fuel!

Cookware

This portable backpacking cookware set is perfect for any overnight camping trip, and is made of lightweight aluminum.

Coffee Kit

For coffee snobs, a backpacking trip is no reason to skimp. Pack an enamel mug, an aeropress and an airtight container of nice coffee for an early morning pick-me-up.

Whiskey

While this is totally optional, it’s totally worth the extra weight to bring along a flask with whiskey to keep you warm on cold nights.

Water Filter

Probably the most important thing you need for backpacking the backcountry is a water filter to collect drinking water from lakes.

Water Bottle

I love Vapur Water Bottles for all types of travel, but they’re great for backpacking since they hold 1L of water and collapse when empty. (Bring 2!)

Helpful Tip

You will need a bear can to store any food and fragrant items while in the backcountry. But don’t worry about bringing your own. Ranger stations rent them for only $5 and have easy drop off stations for returning them at the end of your trip.

Essential Accessories & Supplies

iPhone Case

Stay charged and protected throughout your trip with the OtterBox Resurgence Case! I also turn my phone on airplane mode to make the battery last all weekend- even with lots of picture taking.

SPF Lipbalm

Especially in the higher elevation, my lips always get chapped. I don’t go anywhere without Sugar Lip moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15.

Coconut Oil

Conscious Coconut oil can act as face wash, moisturizer, shaving cream, itch relief and so much more throughout your trip!

Sunscreen

I love COOLA sunscreen products. Pack an SPF 30 Sport Spray and their Matte Finish Face sunscreen for organic protection sun protection.

Moleskin

For blisters that may arise during your journey, moleskin is the best solution. It’s also worth packing a travel sized bottle of baby powder to keep your feet dry.

Cutting Board

For preparing meals fireside, make sure to pack a flexible cutting board and a sharp knife for easy prep!

Wet Wipes

Stall Mates wipes are Flushable, portable, eco-friendly bathroom wipes. They’re individually wrapped so they’re perfect for backpacking!

Plastic Bags

Ziploc baggies are perfect for snacks, organizing items and for carrying out any dirty wipes. You’ll also need at least 1 small trash bag for any trash.

Essential Apparel

Hiking Boots

If you are going to invest in one item, it needs to be hiking boots! These boots are supportive and made of breathable material.

Active Wear

I love ALALA‘s line of leggings and tops. They’re stylish but practical athletic tops, bras and bottoms from NYC and I’m obsessed.

Down Jacket

A down jacket that can be folded into a tiny ball will be your best friend. I love the Eddie Bauer down jackets- plus they have so many pretty colors!

Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses are your eyes’ best friend! Grab a pair that’s inexpensive and stylish from Blenders Eyewear.

Wool Socks

While they’re a bit pricier than cotton socks, you want wool socks when hiking. They wick away moisture and keep your feet dry.

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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