A bag night; I got a bag night

“I got out and actually had a BAG NIGHT! Yes me! I tried out my new Osprey Ariel pack (Ariel 60 medium) and my old Lowas. First thing my left arm did not go numb! I did mostly scrambling and my back DID NOT hurt! My feet did not hurt either (I had trouble with these shoes when my back was really bad).

I left my home and drove on to the Boquillas ranch across the road, it is 850,000 acres.
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There are dirt roads all over and water tanks for the cattle.

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I took my GPS with brand new batteries to help me find my way. I was heading toward the Grand Canyon, I left too late to go the whole way there but there are many mesas and buttes to explore.


After driving around for 27 miles I ended up near Mt. Floyd 7,441.


I decided I wanted to bushwhack to the top so I started to scramble up.




Now of course it was 2PM so it was hot, hot, hot. I have no idea how much my pack weighed but it was really comfortable. This is my first suspension pack since my first Camptrails pack many years ago. Now don’t get me wrong I loved my Golite Trek but with my back I couldn’t handle the lack of suspension anymore I had to transfer the weight off my upper back and shoulders to all of it on my hips. For those of you who don’t know I had 5 herniated discs.

I digress. Well this scrambling up the side of the ‘mountain’ was a big undertaking but I am an ambitious woman and about ½ way up I was regretting my ambition somewhat. I started looking for the next big rock to rest each time I started to climb. It was funny the higher I got the farther the top looked from me. Anyway I was very near what I thought was the top when I scrambled up and ran right into a huge chasm. I would have had to go back down ½ way and skirt around it and then back up to the top. No way I could do that my legs were jelly.

So now I had a dilemma I looked around me and all I saw was rocks, no campsite here. I went back down a little and found an area to stay.


It was about 4ish and I was looking forward to dropping my pack and kicking back.

It was wonderful being out in nature, away from civilization. I did some thinking-that didn’t take long, just kidding! I really enjoyed the solitude and I actually did do some thinking. I needed to think about my future and what I want. I took 2 cameras up with me and was waiting for the sunset which turned out to be mundane to the camera lens but beautiful in person.




I started a fire before it got dark and enjoyed the warmth and crackling of the wood. It was funny I was enjoying the solitude, but kept thinking about the TT hikes I’ve been on and the camaraderie and discussions around the campfire and missed it!

The stars were beautiful and so brilliant. I saw several shooting stars. I woke up very early the next morning since it gets light at 4:30AM here (no daylight saving time). It took me an hour to go back down and to my surprise I walked out right next to my car! Woo Hoo!!!



I won’t bore you with the ride back but I came back relaxed and happy with life. Boy have I missed hiking! I am already contemplating my next hike. I think I will do some flat hiking to see how my back really is.

Anyway I had a great time and just wanted to share with my fave people in the world.



http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559481885ecwCyR?vhost=outdoors
last edited: 6/16/07 10:07:17 PM”

“so what the heck is number 8? a really big dust devil?”

“Yes!”

“It's really great to get back out there after you've been knocked out for a while!!”

“Yes! It really helped my soul. I am already planning where to go next weekend.”

“wow. do you have any idea how big that dust devil was?”

“Nice trip report and pictures. Glad to hear you are feeling well enough to backpack again!”

“Thanks for the report !”

“Feels soooo good to get out there doesn't it?
Good for you. May many more miles disappear under your feet.”

“We finely went walkin in the woods and sleepin in the woods the nother days. We been walkin in the woods verry much but my daddy dose not breeng his pakpak usely so we do not sleep in the woods to.”

“Tango, thanks for sharing!!! I am thinking of purchasing another pack in the near future, so I'll have to look into that one, as I have boney shoulders prefer carrying the weight on my hips.
Your pics are great!”

“Enjoyed your report and glad you enjoyed your trip. For the first time ever ,I myself was getting harassed by a Park Ranger in South Mountain State Park this weekend in North Carolina.”

“CB, it was several stories high. There was nothing around to give perspective.

Thanks Rich, Stew and Redroxx, it was great. Now I am looking to see how I do on a more level surface, I'd like to do some miles and see how the back situation is.

Sarabelle, I wasn't even dayhiking, that's what the people call it when you walk in the woods and don't sleep over night, before this. I just decided to take the plunge!

Scorchy, I did alot of research before I chose this pack. I bought it over a year ago!

Spam, I saw that thread title I will go there right now and read of your adventures.

Thanks all!”

“I have some old pics of Big Bend. Been there like five times with my wife. Lots of heat and jackrabbits and coyotes in the trash cans at night. We would stay at Rio Grande Village. If I can find em I might post em some time.
thanks Tango for the pics.....love that dust devil one, really cool.........”

“I couldn't believe how big it was. It only lasted about 5 minutes if that. I'd love to see those pics Chappy.
last edited: 6/17/07 8:33:48 PM”

“cool trip tango!Glad your back out, man. I about ready to go out and get my first bag night of the year.”

“Good for you Hot Rod! I can't believe how good I felt when I got back. And it has lasted. Where are you from? Nothing in your profile.”

“Some of the best places to backpack are those undiscovered places so close to home. Thanks for sharing your trip report, Tango.”

“I wish I could've discovered the top of Mt. Floyd darnit! Another time.”