How Things Change

“I just realized that as of this August I will have been backpacking 40 years!

Oh my GAWD!

First time under a pack: YMCA Camp Lackey - overnight hike to summit of Mt. San Jacinto in SoCal - August 1966. I was one of numerous 8+ YO's and one of only two who actually HAD a backpack.

Most vivid memory? Being scared sh*tless of the coyote's I heard fighting in the night time distance!

Anyone else?”

“very cool.

my first time backpacking was at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1984.

I got the bejesus skeered outta me twice on that trip. once when the bear cub tore thru our kitchen stuff in the middle of the night. and then again when we got caught in a thunderstorm up high on Mt Baldy and had to wait it out.

Good Stuff - got me hooked on camping and hiking AND convinced me that i belonged out west too.”

“ceoiii, did you ever climb Taquitz Peak and get a Squirrel Card from the Ranger at the lookout?”

“It's Curtis! Remember we met at the beach at the "Misery Under Tarp" session :-) last year.

Great to hear from you, I was afraid none of you folks we met out there paid attention to TT any more!

We're going out again at the end of this month but pity, only an extended weekend. You up for it?

To answer your question, nope, but in my later years I did some verticle stuff on Taquitz and across the valley on Suicide Rock.

Good story RoamAround, is this the Mt. Baldy in SoCal that I used to see every day from my house in Riverside? Course I guess every state has at least ONE Mt. Baldy! Ya know, in 40 years I have YET to actually SEE a bear out in the boonies! I must not get out enough!”

“my Baldy is in Northern New Mexico. Baldy Mtn's are like Porcupine Ridges - there's one everywhere.”

“my first was 33 years ago in March, Shenandoah NP during spring break senior year of high school.

Most vivid memory, solo 8 days in Pecos Wilderness, fall off season, one person seen, Park Ranger on horse.”

“I'm probably going on 20 years, considering my first time backpacking I had to be carried, my first time carrying a pack, I had to carry my own diapers... I can't remember back that far.”

“I'm going on year 22. My first trip with a pack was at age 5.”

“I was so disappointed as a kid that my parents weren't campers. I started camping in the backyard by fourth grade, solo hiking in second. Got my first rucksack and canteen that year.”

“Yes, I remember having a real good time. How is that grandson doing? Most likely growing fast, won't be long before he's carrying his share.

I would love to join you but it's a long trip up there by myself, maybe next year.

I check in often at TT but skip most of what's going on and post only if I really have something to say.

I have a 8x10 Photo on the wall, taken last February of people sitting on the beach, caption is; "Life is Good".

OT”

“We'll send some pics. Hodgeman will be there too. He's stopping by here from canadialand for dinner then we're bunking at Striders for a 4AM departure :-) Ugh. I so dislike getting up that early! But we should hit the trail by 8! Rest of the part coming in a various times during the day.
I'll pass on that I "ran into you" here :-)
nice chattin”

“Im going on 5 years :)”

“23 years now.

Rumor has it I'm getting older but I remain unconvinced.”

“So SC, what do you think of this whole backpacking thing after 5 years?

My folks weren't into it either Pathman, but I think they encouraged me because it gave them some peace :-)”

“55 for me. I was eight and had slippery leather soled boots and heavy wool blankets with every thing I had rolled in them with a cloth strap over my shoulder.Had a great time, because it didn't rain, but hunger set in the last days.”

“ceoiii, those coyotes probably weren't fighting....

I did my first backpacking trips in 1994 at age 33. I didn't get good at it until a couple of years ago. Lots of life lessons, lots of fun. The prospect of the next trip is one of the main things that gets me out of bed in the mornings.”

“simer190, wait long enough....you'll be packin those diapers again....LOL.”