RyanW
Moderator
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 3,327
I was lucky enough to have some time to join my son on his first 50 Mile Backpacking trip in the High Uinta's of Utah. The last time I walked 50 miles in a week was when I was a scout, I remember being beyond tired and sore at the end. Not one of them complained the entire time and always had energy to run around camp at the end of each day.
For those of you familiar with the Uinta Mountains we started at the Highline Trail head, when we arrived there the parking lot was full of SAR and Sheriff vehicles. Turns out a 63 year old Australian man named Eric Robinson was missing (Click here for News Link) We kept an open eye for any sign of him, he has still not been located... This put a lot of things in my mind while I walked in the remote backcountry with my son.
I was going with as little gear as possible, I know how a lot of you are so I am going to include my inclusive list (skip over this if you are not a list maker)
Gear List:
Backpack
BA Down Sleeping Bag
BA inflatable Mattress
MSR H20 Purifier pump
Plastic wide mouth Bottle
Ti 700ml Cup
The Evernew Titanium DX set
Everclear Fuel
ENO Single Hammock, Bug Net, Rain Fly
Natrapel Bug spray (Awesome stuff)
Misc. Dehydrated Meals
Oatmeal
Candy Bars (For the scouts on last night)
Wood Drake (Ryan W. Knife
)
Energy Bars (Lunch)
Instant Coffee & Tea
Rain gear
Notebook & Pencil
Sm. Camera
Misc. Clothing
ESEE Fire Kit
Toiletries
FAK
Axe
Rino GPS/Radio - Batts
Headlight - Batts
Day one: (10 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally- 10
Followed the Highline Trail to the Four lakes area, we stayed at Dean lake this is a beautiful area surrounded by tall mountain ranges still containing snow. I was using my ENO hammock, bug net and rain fly for the first time. Hammock split down the middle on the first night... I couldn't believe it! I was on the ground the rest of the trip. We hit some of the passes and ridges in this area and it was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me, but photos were taken and I will update this thread as soon as I get copies....
Day two: (8 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 18
Moved down towards the Granddaddy Basin and stayed two nights near Rainbow lake, this was our base camp for the next few days while we put on some miles.
Day three: (12 Miles W/Daypacks) Mile Tally - 30
We went through some of our equipment that would help if we for some reason needed to spend the night with minimal gear. We discussed fire, shelter, water, and keeping a calm attitude. We explored down into the Granddaddy Basin hitting every lake in the area, then made a round trip back to base camp.
Day four: (10 Miles W/Daypacks) Mile Tally - 40
We spent the day around Rainbow lake, Gov. Dern Lake etc... Hitting all the trails and exploring the different lakes. Some of the boys took fishing gear and had a great time catching some Brooke and Rainbow Trout. I am not a fisherman, so I just had bites of their catch.
Day five: (8 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 48
The boys reluctantly packed their gear and donned their backpacks for the hike back towards the trail head. Every boy had a copy of the map and walked through each days plan, it was great to see them checking their maps along the trail. We hiked up into the Naturalist basin, they knew we would get the required 50 miles even if we went straight to the Vehicles. Sooo the plan was of course to hit the first decent camp near water, We found an amazing spot right next to some small water falls. Everyone was smelling of Sweat, dirt, bug spray and who knows what else. So with a little encouragement everyone got in the river and washed up. This night involved stories of Bigfoot, Aliens and watching the Perseid meteor showers (Due to full moon not too many were seen).
Day six: (4 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 52
For some reason everyone had a craving for Arby's roast beef sandwiches, the agreement was if they got up early we would stop by and get them what they wanted. Like a Horse to the Trailer the boys took off towards the Trailhead. The 4 miles was nothing to them now, and to think most of them had not gone more than 4 miles backpacking prior to this trip. We had to keep reminding them to stay together and not get separated. We made it to the Vehicles safely, unfortunately my Truck was having transmission issues and is right now still sitting in the parking lot. I will be towing it back tomorrow. We all crammed into one car and headed to Arby's.
Over all it was a great experience, I think each scout pushed themselves beyond what they felt possible. Most importantly, they learned that they can live without a lot of things if they are prepared and stay in the right frame of mind. I still have Eric Robinson on my mind and hope and pray that things will work out, it stands as a good reminder that things don't always go as planned.
Here are a few photos from the trip.
For those of you familiar with the Uinta Mountains we started at the Highline Trail head, when we arrived there the parking lot was full of SAR and Sheriff vehicles. Turns out a 63 year old Australian man named Eric Robinson was missing (Click here for News Link) We kept an open eye for any sign of him, he has still not been located... This put a lot of things in my mind while I walked in the remote backcountry with my son.
I was going with as little gear as possible, I know how a lot of you are so I am going to include my inclusive list (skip over this if you are not a list maker)
Gear List:
Backpack
BA Down Sleeping Bag
BA inflatable Mattress
MSR H20 Purifier pump
Plastic wide mouth Bottle
Ti 700ml Cup
The Evernew Titanium DX set
Everclear Fuel
ENO Single Hammock, Bug Net, Rain Fly
Natrapel Bug spray (Awesome stuff)
Misc. Dehydrated Meals
Oatmeal
Candy Bars (For the scouts on last night)
Wood Drake (Ryan W. Knife
)Energy Bars (Lunch)
Instant Coffee & Tea
Rain gear
Notebook & Pencil
Sm. Camera
Misc. Clothing
ESEE Fire Kit
Toiletries
FAK
Axe
Rino GPS/Radio - Batts
Headlight - Batts
Day one: (10 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally- 10
Followed the Highline Trail to the Four lakes area, we stayed at Dean lake this is a beautiful area surrounded by tall mountain ranges still containing snow. I was using my ENO hammock, bug net and rain fly for the first time. Hammock split down the middle on the first night... I couldn't believe it! I was on the ground the rest of the trip. We hit some of the passes and ridges in this area and it was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me, but photos were taken and I will update this thread as soon as I get copies....
Day two: (8 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 18
Moved down towards the Granddaddy Basin and stayed two nights near Rainbow lake, this was our base camp for the next few days while we put on some miles.
Day three: (12 Miles W/Daypacks) Mile Tally - 30
We went through some of our equipment that would help if we for some reason needed to spend the night with minimal gear. We discussed fire, shelter, water, and keeping a calm attitude. We explored down into the Granddaddy Basin hitting every lake in the area, then made a round trip back to base camp.
Day four: (10 Miles W/Daypacks) Mile Tally - 40
We spent the day around Rainbow lake, Gov. Dern Lake etc... Hitting all the trails and exploring the different lakes. Some of the boys took fishing gear and had a great time catching some Brooke and Rainbow Trout. I am not a fisherman, so I just had bites of their catch.
Day five: (8 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 48
The boys reluctantly packed their gear and donned their backpacks for the hike back towards the trail head. Every boy had a copy of the map and walked through each days plan, it was great to see them checking their maps along the trail. We hiked up into the Naturalist basin, they knew we would get the required 50 miles even if we went straight to the Vehicles. Sooo the plan was of course to hit the first decent camp near water, We found an amazing spot right next to some small water falls. Everyone was smelling of Sweat, dirt, bug spray and who knows what else. So with a little encouragement everyone got in the river and washed up. This night involved stories of Bigfoot, Aliens and watching the Perseid meteor showers (Due to full moon not too many were seen).
Day six: (4 Miles W/Backpacks) Mile Tally - 52
For some reason everyone had a craving for Arby's roast beef sandwiches, the agreement was if they got up early we would stop by and get them what they wanted. Like a Horse to the Trailer the boys took off towards the Trailhead. The 4 miles was nothing to them now, and to think most of them had not gone more than 4 miles backpacking prior to this trip. We had to keep reminding them to stay together and not get separated. We made it to the Vehicles safely, unfortunately my Truck was having transmission issues and is right now still sitting in the parking lot. I will be towing it back tomorrow. We all crammed into one car and headed to Arby's.
Over all it was a great experience, I think each scout pushed themselves beyond what they felt possible. Most importantly, they learned that they can live without a lot of things if they are prepared and stay in the right frame of mind. I still have Eric Robinson on my mind and hope and pray that things will work out, it stands as a good reminder that things don't always go as planned.
Here are a few photos from the trip.
