2005: The year in Backpacking, trip repo rt.

“now that 2005 is quickly coming to a close and the holiday rush makes it difficult to get out anymore in what is left of this year, it is safe to say that most of us are probably done backpacking and hiking for 2005.

How was everyone's year in backpacking and hiking? Where did everyone go? What was your favorite trips? What trips didn't go so well? Let's hear it! Tell us about your year in backpacking. Give us your 2005 trip report.
last edited: 12/19/05 10:06:32 PM”

“ENS,

I'm headed for the Plott Balsams tomorrow! Never done!”

“Montana was the best!

Colorado ain't been bad neither.

Enjoy the plotts pj.

I'm still debating an overnighter this weekend. Yep, on Christmas. The kids are both gone to mom's and I can't think of a better place to wake up Christmas morning than in the wilderness.”

“I'm not done either, tomorrow night I am doing a solo in Shenandoah and I hope to get a couple more miles in before the new year.

Then we have 2006, a whole new year.”

“Well in my first year of backpacking I had two trips to Yellow River State Forrest in Iowa, One trip to Palisade's State Park in IL. and One trip to Rocky Mountian National Park. Not to mention several weekends of car camping.
2006 filtergyrl and I most likely won't get any big trips due to wedding planning. But agreed that we'll get out for more smaller trips.
2007 should be good and I think we are planning on a trip to Glacier National Park.”

“Didnt get much hiking in this year, the least I've done in the past 4 years as a matter of fact. With Sass back in school full her schedule has been full of studying. I have had to work extra to compensate for her lost wages, plus watching the little one while she is at school on so many many wknds. But this is a good thing, we can always hike more next year and the little one is getting to be old enough to start doing some slightly longer miles.2005 has been a fantastic year. The All ABOUT THE KIDS VOL3 trip was great, a definite high point for me.

Got a few trips planned for 06, hopefully we will make Isle Royale again. But it wont be a super busy year either, I am back in school.

Great thread ENS.”

“Nice to reflect on this---I had a really busy year so can only remember via my photo Cd's!!

Lots of trips to the Galiuros mtns---hope to finish all the trails in there 2006--and planning a Christmas weekend overnighter there.
Two summer trips in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
A fall and spring 10 day trip to southern utah, backpacking in the San Rafael Swell, Cedar Mesa, and other areas.
Dayhikes most every weekend in the spring, winter and fall here in the great state of Arizona.”

“After many years of outdoor fun and hiking, this was my first year of backpacking and it was a blast. Can't believe it took me so long to get out. Highlights for me were seeing West Virginia for the first time (thanks Geo!) and meeting everyone here on TT plus a few of you in person out on the trail. Best trip had to be my first multi-day backpacking trip in Ontario: the scenery was awesome, the company was mediocre at best, but the food was fantastic. (Actually we laughed our arses off the whole time! Thanks tarabull, ya dork!)


Great thread ENS, thanks. Hope to meet you (and many others) on the trail soon.


Dave”

“2005 started off good, but by March the rest of the year turned out to be one I'd like to forget. Between illness and a lingering hip injury, I didn't get out much even for day hikes and when I did I was in pain most of the time. The few backpacking trips I did do were nice though. I'm hoping 2006 turns out better.”

“Not such a busy year on the trails. Like Birch said....school, etc.

My favorite trip by far was the Mammoth Cave hike. Good miles, excellant company, no one gripping about anything. It was awesome!”

“I hiked exactly twice this year. One was 3 1/2 miles and the other was 4 miles. I feel lucky to do that. I found out in Ferbruary I had (and had been living with) 5 herniated discs. I got stretched which was supposed to pop them back in place. I feel much better and am on the road to recovery. I have to find a modified pack to hike again I have to have no weight on my shoulders at all. I have great hopes of hiking again.

To all I hope your new year is better than this year. Be safe be happy!”

“I'd have to say Old Rag in VA. was my favorite trip this year hanging out on a sun drenched summit for two hours, although the Great Range in the ADK's ranks right up there. I'll never forget the cable decent down Gothics in the pouring rain, or clinging to Spruce for dear life on the open rock slabs. Rickets Glen in March was also very cool, with all the frozen waterfalls and my first time on crampons. The North Fork Trail in WV. had one of the best trail head partys I've ever been a part of. Marko, LTHiker and the Fridge were some funny MF'ers that night! LOL! Thanks to all the TT'ers I hiked with this year, I had a great time!”

“Come on BackSlacker, you tellin' me that I was there??

That story about the drunken Finn who keeps gettin' tossed out of Norway made me think about that trip.

I'll never forgive Zac for bailing out on the Dix Range trip last June 10-11-12!!
I bought a head net just for that!!

The Long Trail trip, 28-31 July, was a great adventure for Henry and me.
We packed 1,100 road miles and 36 trail miles into four days.
It's nice havin' a kid who can share the driving.
Seeing our buddy pedxing tearin' up some of the toughest trail that this fool has ever seen and sharing the time was simply wonderful.

The highlight of the year has got to be finally meeting Yam!!
Spending time in her company has made me want to spend more time smiling!!
And the rest of the crew on that trip to the Connecticut Appalachian Trail have got to be some of my favorite people!!”

“Pretty darn good year! Ended up with over a month's worth of bag nights, my best total ever. (Everyone has their own definition of "bag nights:" mine is primitive camping or backpacking. No, the stay in the bag in the back of the Jeep to and from doesn't count.)

My list:

1. Many area Midwest trips such as Black River Forest, Kettle Moraine (both north and south units), Reno unit of Richard J. Dorer Forest, etc.

2. Hosted two Yellow River State Forest trips, a weekend canoe trip on the Upper Iowa River and a Labor Day weekend trip to the Black Hills

3. Returned to Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia in March to backpack there again.

4.Primitive camped for a week in the SW Black Hills while taking part in the Passport in Time project recording Indian rock art at Craven Canyon

5. Built up confidence in scrambling skills in the Badlands on a "wild adventure" hike

6. Set a goal to summit Laramie Peak in west central Wyoming and did it. Not a hard peak or anything, just the challenges of getting a bit above 10,000 feet and doing it by myself in a totally unknown area

7. Decided to get away from snow and cold on short Midwest jaunts, such as spring geocaching near Windom, MN and fall hiking, geocaching and camping at the Badlands

8. Participated as a teacher in a writer's conference for 3rd-8th graders and, not only lived, but enjoyed it. And felt that some kids "got" the idea of nature and adventure and writing.

9. Interviewed a "Top 10" list adventurer from National Geographic Adventure magazine

10. Got my fifth and sixth tents and finally think I have a grasp on how to properly set up the Tarp Tent

11. Managed to put up a screen house in my backyard and successfully host "girls' night out" in late summer. :-)

I had planned to do something like this in a column soon, so thanks for helping me getting me started on my thoughts, ENS. ;-)”

“since taking on a few new roles - kidlet activity/social coordinator, brownie leader, caregiver to my ailing father - backpacking has taken a back seat. Though I still claim around 40 bag nights for 2005, much of it was car camping...my dayhiking was pretty non existent.
Since outdoors has always been part of my life, I dont worry about the lulls.

For 2006:
I am excited to be picking up the grandgirls new x-country skis this week, building my new winter trip sled with a recently purchased rockin' Paris Expedition sled, and passing my old sled on to the grandgirl who is dying to camp on the snow. Winter Baxter trips all booked, Trek all set, Canada trip planned, and new friends convinced that camping will be fun! LOL...

Life is good! :)”

“Hey twigeater, are there any places for Baxter trip??”

“ENS, I have one more shot at trail this year. Leaving on the 27th for a fifty miler on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. My last hike on the trail a couple months ago (50 miler)was an exercise with all the blowdowns and trail trash from Rita. Then, like you say, 2006 is here. Feb. will be on the Ouachita Trail in Ark. Other than that, I've done the 4C Trail, Turkey Creek Trail, and some other smaller ones this year.”

“Liz your missing the November Yellow River trip on your list. My first try at hosting a trip (went off better with a good guide) Also I get to start Geocaching now as (with booming voice) Filtergyrl got me/us a GPS.”

“e-mail me MarkO.”

“2005 wasn’t the best year for me hiking wise. Between, car repairs, high gas prices, and lack of free time, I didn’t get out nearly as much as I wanted. Still I had a great time on what trips I did manage to go one. From hanging out at Oxshoe Pond with the frozen ass clan, trying to help Gremlin finish his 46 in the Santanoni Range, hiking half of the Devils Path in a day in the relentless heat, getting soaked by rain on the Great Range and then have a blue bird day on the MacIntyre Range two days later, climbing the Presidential Range with crystal clear skies and no wind, and finally hiking into Indian Pass on a beautiful fall day. It’s impossible to pick one as a favorite, so I won’t. Each trip was memorable in it’s own way.


P.S. We will get to hiking the Dix Range at some point MarkO.”

“Here's a list of photo albums from most of my trips this year.
http://community.webshots.com/album/284933151rXQeWX
http://community.webshots.com/album/393287910FivbEe
http://community.webshots.com/album/393287910FivbEe
http://community.webshots.com/album/269359571UyImpA
http://community.webshots.com/album/417909436JSmkUt
http://community.webshots.com/album/437755353iERFco
http://community.webshots.com/album/437755358Nyofei
http://community.webshots.com/album/437755361AnkOSs
http://community.webshots.com/album/470385462XqPHcw
http://community.webshots.com/album/475477348QVPcOP
http://community.webshots.com/album/475730232OErEqK”

“2005 was not a year of hiking for me, but a year that saw the birth of our first child. I got out twice, which was nice and got to play with a bunch of new gear.”

“lots of hiking, but not much backpacking. i backpacked the section of the MST i scouted, which was a joy. beautiful trail that i hope to have a TT trip on. i did tons of hiking in the ANF region for the next book i'm writing, many surprisingly beautiful areas and trails.

i also had to start my own law practice from scratch, which was time consuming and a learning experience.

i'm feeling 2006 will be an epic year.”

“Not a huge year for backpacking for me, but I sure did a lot of dayhikes. My favorite would have to be my first hike out here in Colorado this summer, Comanche peak, with The Adventurists and Roam. It was late July and the wildflowers were stunning. The hike was very strenuous, and views rewarding. Made me realize how much I wanted to be out in the Rockies!”

“"P.S. We will get to hiking the Dix Range at some point MarkO.”
lumberzac
9:04:08 AM
12/20/05

Uh huh, unless some dame get's in the way of it.”

“Spending two weeks backpacking with my son and other boys at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico was the highlight of my 2005. I did several overnighters in Shenandoah National Park and along the AT in Virginia and lots and lots of day hikes. I definitely plan to get out more in 2006.

This is the time of year when I fantasize about getting ready to thru-hike the AT. I play out the whole thing in my head – planning, gear, food, start date, etc. Then March arrives and my fantasy is busted as other people set out for their amazing AT adventure while I am stuck behind a stupid monitor. My day will come. First I need to get my kids through college.”

“I didn't get to do as much backpacking this year as last because of the new baby.
My favorite hike this year had to be this one
[url]http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/677.php[url] The Balsam lake peakbagging trip. We hiked over 6 or seven 3500' peaks most of them bushwacks it was awesome! There is something great about hiking off trail.”

“Uh huh, unless some dame get's in the way of it.”
MarkO
11:26:58 AM
12/20/05
ignore this user

We'll have to bring her along. Don't chicks like Dix?”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/677.php[url]

Yeah I made a link!!!
last edited: 12/20/05 12:56:48 PM”

“Hee hee hee.........'deed they do, Zac!!!

(Dame, LMAO, I've been watchin' too many Clark Gable movies!!)”

“This is the thread that should have over 200 posts, not that other one!”

“I missed a few of my backpacking goals in 2005. Things like painting my house and earning a living got in the way, but I did finish my #1 goal - completing a SOBO thru-hike of the Long Trail.

http://www.trailjournals.com/pedxingLT”

“I was glad to get a chance to backpack with some great TT'ers (including ENS) and was really glad that MarkO and son joined me for a few days on the LT.

In 2006, I'd like to meet some more TT'ers and renew other acquaintances. Maybe I'll get to walk with Twiggy again! I'm also hoping Birch and Sass make it out to Vermont - it would be great to walk with them a while.
last edited: 12/20/05 5:02:31 PM”

“I must say, riding out that tornado with nothing but a tarp was pretty fun!! :) BRING IT ON!!!”

“Backpacked and paddled six states this year. 62 bag nights so far and had an absolute blast doing it all.

Started a new job and won't have near the time off that I could take with my old job. Big bag night years are done for a while.”

“Mine sucked. Heres to 2006. May I get on the trail by Summer. The beginning of Summer.”

“Enjoyed some hikes on the AT and some scenic trails earlier in the spring. Went on injured reserve for a knee reconstruction soon afterwards. Recovery is slow but steady. Can't wait to get back to more.

Did sneak in some West Virginia hiking over Labor Day. Very nice area!”

“Mine Rocked When I finally got to go on a TT trip!!!!!!

And HOI Rocks!

Canada can Kiss my ass! But I will go to Banff, mother#&%!$ers!

Monagahela NF Rocked!”

“I had a great hiking year, but didn't do much backpacking. Most of my hikes had the top of a mountain as the destination. As far as desert peaks go I got to the top of Boundary Peak, Mummy Mountain, and Moapa Peak in Nevada; Tin Mountain, Towne Peak, Pinto Mountain, Rosa Point, Canyon Point, Inspiration Point, Spectre Point, Sheephole Mountain, Quail Mountain, Granite Mountain, Waucoba Mountain, and East Ord Moutain in the California desert areas. In the Sierra my day hikes to peaks included Mount Williamson, University Peak, Thor Peak, Mount Whitney(MR & Main Trail), Hurd Peak, Mount Starr, Mount Irvine, Owens Peak, Mount Jenkins, and Morris Peak. I also did hikes to various peaks in the San Gabriels and San Bernardinos here in Southern California.

My only two backpacking trips were a 3-day trip to do Mount Williamson over 4th of July Weekend and a 4-day trip into Miter Basin in August.

This coming year it'll be lots of dayhiking, but I'm going to add a few more backpacking trips.”

“I backpacked all over the Sierra and the Lost Coast. Almost the Wind Rivers too. I paddled my brains out in my kayak and canoe. I got married. I have a kid on the way. Now my goal is to make National Geographic Adventure's "Top 10 Adventurer's" list. Then, let me die.”

“Me thinks ya just want **ME** to interview ya, Buck. ;-)

Flash, your Yellow River State Forest trip was reflected in the "etc" in No. 1. LOL! (I can only mention YRSF so much and then people roll their eyes... and it was in No. 2, so you got relegated to etc. hehehe)

We need to get together and do a geocaching trip to somewhere we all haven't been that has cool caches, like historic or whatever. And get outamatches on it, too!”

“will have to wait until this year is over, then I can review the entire year as a whole. But, since I'm classified as "not being all there", I'll keep it to myself anyway and be safe.

I would ask this though of you all...in all your accomplishments and doings this year, what did you learn, and how did you change or were you too busy being human-doings instead of being human-beings?”

“what did you learn, and how did you change or were you too busy being human-doings instead of being human-beings?”
stikmon
1:05:45 AM
12/21/05

excellent point, stikmon!
(you listenin' ENS? LOL...j/k, nice thread)”

“A lot of times, at least for me, looking at what you've done -- like I did here -- reminds me of the many lessons learned, and ups and downs -- not told here.

You bicht! (is that the right spelling for that? Doesn't look right. LOL)”

“hmmmm...maybe it's bicth? bihtc?
LOL...”

“Or... bithc. I think that might be it! (Cuz I could remember that if I tried to *say* it, it would kinda be like lisping)

Glad we're getting that resolved! whew!”

“** Double post. Lost the Net as I was posting and apparently sent twice.
last edited: 12/21/05 8:32:14 AM”

“This was a great backpacking year for me. I started the year backpacking in the Big Bend. Had some great kayak-packing trips. Had the Rocky Mtn trip of a lifetime with fellow tters in Grand Teton NP and the Wind River Range. Climbed the most fun Colorado 14ers yet. Met more local backpackers from the other site. Much other stuff besides.

What did I learn? Hmmm.. I guess that while I suck at many things normal middle class americans do, I'm really good at hiking and backpacking. Haven't grasped the "deeper meaning" though......”

“I wanna hear more stories!”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/581.php

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/563.php”