Sunday, June 17th, 2007...5:35 pm

I Survived The Wildernesss — Again

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I just returned from a backpack that reminded me why they call it wilderness.

You always seem to remember the things that go wrong; the things you can’t control that are part of being outdoors. You look back and say, yeah, that was a great trip. Remember …

What I’ll always remember on this trip is the mosquitos. Wave after wave and swarm after unending swarm.

If there is anything that will ruin a trip quicker, it’s the endless buzzing of these blood thirsty critters around you face.

Did we have spray? Yes. Did it help? Somewhat. Did we invest 99 cents in a one-ounce anti-mosquito head net? No. Did we wish we had? You bet.

Since I’m catching up with lots after being gone a week, consider this the first of a series on my trip to the Emigrant Wilderness in the Western Sierra. In future posts, I plan to cover:

-More on mosquito preparedness
-The Emigrant Wilderness
-Being in shape for all those uphills
-The magic of the TOPO map and anticipating ups and downs
-Watch Your Step Not the Scenery
-Sign Post Ducks and Other Guideposts

In the meantime … Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.

2 Comments

Filed under Backpacking tips and techniques, Uncategorized

2 Comments

  • pietro
    June 19th, 2007 at 6:48 pm

    We’re headed to Granite Dome (Iceland, Ridge, Sardella, and Lewis Lakes) from Kennedy Meadows this coming weekend, and would love to hear more about your trip.

  • Bruce
    June 19th, 2007 at 9:07 pm

    Pietro,

    More to come tomorrow. Kennedy Meadows is beautiful, no mosquitos. Fantastic walk along the Stanislaus River to the second bridge: huge canyon walls with crashing river water. We only walked about two miles up this trail and mot the 6 miles to the lake. This was the car camping/fishing part of our trip. Be sure to have a big cowboy breakfast at the Kennedy Meadows lodge.

    Bruce

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