Backpacking

Wanna Get Away?

May 24, 2017 by Juls 6 Comments

TheMAN and I had a few hours to kill — sacrificing only a few hours of sleep — while in the desert. We made our way to Joshua Tree for a look at the landscape.

While we were out and about, we caught a glimpse of this guy returning from an overnight trek in the backcountry. It was about 8 AM and nearing 100 degrees already. The heat didn’t seem to be a problem. Maybe it was the result of being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of life but this guy was really laid back. So much so, that I’ve already looked up the requirements for getting a backcountry permit in Joshua Tree.

Of course, first things 1st: Clouds Rest is already permitted for early July. I can’t wait.

Backpacking Bliss

May 1, 2014 by Juls Leave a Comment

There is a feeling you get when you choose to leave everything behind and go out into the great outdoors. It is empowering. It is freeing. It is backpacking bliss.

Speaking of bliss, I somehow managed to land an overnight permit for Mount Whitney in late June. I’m stoked but a little nervous too.

From what I am reading, there seems to be a high probability that we will encounter some snow on our journey — possibly A LOT of it. This California girl doesn’t ski, or snowboard, so I don’t have much experience with the snow.

If any of you have helpful advice on snow hiking skills, or hiking Mt. Whitney, I’d love to hear it.

GC Adventure

April 28, 2014 by Juls 4 Comments

GC South Rim 20140424DSCF1380

It was the night before our big adventure. There we were, sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon, taking in the vastness of the canyon itself. I had examined our itinerary against the map many times and still could not wrap my head around how much of this huge expanse we were to explore — especially now. It was the first time in the 48 years of my life I’d set eyes on it and I was impressed. Scared even.

On Day 1 we were to trek down to the bottom of the canyon. If that wasn’t enough, the weather prediction was for rain and snow showers! I’d brought along everything I could think of that could keep me warm in cold temperature but still wasn’t sure it would be enough. I’m a wimp when it comes to cold. California born and raised, and spoiled rotten by our nearly always warm weather.

Then there was food. Our information said they would provide us with breakfast and dinner but how much food would be provided was not known. Would it be a 300 calorie allotment? Or more? I wanted to be sure my lunches and snacks would supplement the provided meals adequately.

There were too many unknowns and my pack was already getting heavy. We would be given some of the group gear and food to carry. The question was: How much?

GC South Rim 20140426DSC02294

The participants and leaders met in the market parking lot where our load was inspected and trimmed down to 35 pounds or less. Much of what I had brought with me was left behind. Then, me and 10 other hikers were off for our grand adventure.

I hoped and prayed I’d be warm, have adequate nutrition, and was trained well enough to pull me through the trek’s entirety without incident.

[Read more…]

Planning one “Grand” Adventure

January 2, 2014 by Juls 1 Comment

In my year in review post, I mentioned some plans I’ve got cooking to cross off another item I’ve had on my Bucket List. My list has grown in a cross-off-one-item add two sort of way, but this particular item has been on since the very beginning.

Originally, I envisioned just visiting this place with my boys. After my backpacking trip to hike Half Dome, however, merely visiting this majestic place seemed inadequate. BoBo stopped by there to gawk at it’s grandeur on his drive across the states. He snapped a photo, sent it to me, and drove onward. I hardly seemed adequate but he was on a tight deadline with orders to check in for his new assignment in only a couple of days. I decided that I wanted to do it differently; I want to trek into the backcountry and really experience the canyon from inside and out.

20131231 20131231 DSCF0784

I began making longterm plans which included sending YaYa to backpacking camps each summer for the past few years. I feel like the time is now for him. High school will soon be demanding everything of him and hanging out with his mom will be of less importance. As for me, I learned as much as I could from theMAN on our backpacking adventures. I also started collecting my own gear so that I wouldn’t have to buy it all at once when the time came to go. I’ve learned a lot, but I still don’t feel like I can go it alone…

So I’ve signed up for a group trip where the itinerary, meals, and even much of the gear is provided — along with a fearless leader. Now, all we need to do is get there (airfare and hotel for before & after), oh yeah, and TRAIN FOR IT.

Mini backpacking; mini success

July 29, 2012 by Juls 8 Comments

Our mini backpacking trip turned out well. Long story, short: we had a very entertaining adventure full of excitement and MANY almost-peed-my-pants-moments. Big Sis arrived at my house early with overflowing enthusiasm and wearing a hat that had a striking similarity to Amelia Bedelia.

Thankfully, Big Sis didn’t share Amelia’s tendency for taking everything literally. No tents were “pitched” into the bushes, and the marshmallows were not thrown into the fire to be “roasted.” The hat didn’t make it through the first mile, just long enough for all to enjoy the first of many hearty laughs.

[Read more…]