Last summer I backpacked Yosemite with a guided group. Weak I know, but it had a purpose. I've been wanting to go out on my own, and I did it last nite, on a very simple level. Four minutes from my home is a very beautiful state park, with a nice primitive campground. I foresook a phatty work party to test out my meager survival skills. Planning took 2 weeks, and I had it just about nailed. Menu prep is very important, and my hamburger/potato goulash hit the spot, as did the morning pancakes (from a bottle). I fretted over how to make coffee, but settled on Folgers coffee bags, and that was perfect. Armed with a new tent, new air mattress, a 2-burner stove, 2 bottles of wine (only one was needed), "men's" reading material, and not nearly enough dry clothes I persevered. The rain came in a deluge, again & again. But I was high & dry in the tent. The things I learned on my REI trip to Yosemite served me well, and I now feel that I can take on just about any mid-level trip. In fact, I recently talked with Cameron about climbing Mt Whitney, and told him of a guided-trip that was available to us in the summer. He said "dad, SEALS don't use guides". Point taken. He & I can do that trip. I'll even fix pancakes. Enjoy the pictures, limited as they may be because of the torrents.
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