backpackers

dredgernaut · Nov 17, 2020

hello all. i need a hiking partner. i am going to be there next week and not very excited about going alone. my usual partner cant make this one.. so i am putting this out there to see if anyone is interested. this will be a multiple night trip. and close to 20 miles round trip.. and yes , i will be carrying alot of water.... only 1 rule.. dont kill me if we find something.. lol :laughing7:

Idahodutch · Nov 17, 2020

Dredgernaut,
Best wishes for the hike, and hoping you have good weather....... and No blisters.
Too bad you can’t parachute in.

Idahodutch

dredgernaut · Nov 17, 2020

thanks dutch. i promise to bring back more pictures to add to the long dry walk thread..

dredgernaut · Nov 20, 2020

well. no takers.. lol. i am heading out tomorrow morning. its a 2 day drive. i will be going solo again.... I do carry a sidearm and a satellite phone. all will be fine. just hate carrying water and being alone.. ya. i am afraid of the dark. lol. see you soon az..

Idahodutch · Dec 6, 2020

Good morning Dredgernaut,
I saw a sign this morning, that indicates you are alive!
I hope the trip went well. 8-)

I’m glad you made it.. :icon_thumleft:

Idahodutch

PotBelly Jim · Dec 6, 2020

Me too! Looking forward to you updating us on your trip!

dredgernaut · Dec 6, 2020

howdy fellas. i did survive again. i sure hate the drive, but the mountains were great.. no water for the most part ,found 1 spot flowing to filter from. covered roughly 25 miles in total. missed my wifes birthday and thanksgiving. but i did have the mountain to ourselves for a couple days.. had an old friend i have not spoke with in ten years called while i was passing through colorado and at the drop of a hat decided to come with me.. so i was not alone after all.. dang good hiker too. we finally had to leave after running out of food on day 7.. we each carried about 60 pounds in total with water.. only got cold 1 night with frost in the morning... averaged in 60s daytime and maybe as low as the 20s at night.. no injuries or predators . ran into the grey ghosts (little deer of the supers) a few times, and my buddy found a buck skull with horns still attached. i figure it was a mountain lion kill. there was big bear poop all over the place. trees and bushes are growing back like crazy since the fire, nuts and acorns are plentiful.. the burn scar has faded alot. and you can only see the burned tree and bush through the new growth.. i have as of this hike put 100 miles on my boots in those mountains. i will be back down in late February or early March..

i do not know how to rotate images .. sorry

PotBelly Jim · Dec 6, 2020

Great pics! Glad to hear your buddy from CO had your back...priceless to have such friends...I wonder how old that big tree is

Thanks for the pics and info, I was wondering how the area recovered from the burn.

dredgernaut · Dec 6, 2020

that tree was incredible. i would guess at least 600 years, the growth rings must be very tight together, there is not enough water for rapid growth. i wonder how deep the roots push down , they must be bigger than the tree itself.. the thorns really grew back that is for sure.. they tore me up. wish there were trails where i go..

my buddy and his wife want to go in spring so i am already getting ready.. lol.
i took military food this time, it was the most satisfying of all options, but heavy..