Lytle Creek, CA-Overnighter

My photos from an overnighter in Lytle Creek, CA.



The hike in


Hydrating before the hike










We went from a desert like terrain into a rock boulder field





into a creek bed







into a marshy area where we usually have to hunt for the trail

machete country






Mud found an old friend


Setting up camp and craft


As the hammocks were being hung I went to make up my bed for the night

I use the back (spine) of the machete on dry wood to buck off the branches, saving my cutting edge



Chopping dry wood with the machete was all about weakening it enough to break with a foot or by dropping it on a boulder





The frame







Dry sticks and bows to create the springy structure



A hug sized bushel of pine bows taken from a few different trees for the top


My bed for the night made mostly of dead wood from what was on the ground with a machete


For a grill, these small saplings were easily cut with one swipe




Fire prep











Food









Someone has been sitting in my bed



Night of the critters

 

Campfire stories





Pale Swallowtail











Big ass rocks



Mummy face



The tomb









My gear for this overnighter



Gossamer Gear Riksak Backpack

-fleece
-beanie (fleece)
-gloves
-platypus 2L
-MSR titanium mug
-camera case
-Adventure Medical Kits Emergency bivvy, water purification tabs, rain poncho, sandpaper (400/600), survival business card



Carried in pockets or on belt






-RB

 

Rattlesnake country, I have seen several through the years, but none this last time.

No, I just drink it, haven’t filtered water in years.

Thanks pal.

I love cheap, light reliable tools.



I didn’t take a sleeping bag, or pad. I just had day hiking gear.
Sleeping on the bed was amazing. It is from the old Mors Kochanski video and in his book. Easy to make, but it takes some time. Very lofty and lots of spring. I only used a “hug sized” bunch of green bows for comfort. I never felt the cold of conduction. I had an all night fire and had to wake a few times to put some more wood on it, but I slept better than I had in years. I actually slept until 9:30 am. Too comfortable to get up.

The other two, in their hammocks with pad, had a cold night. Just different types of sleepers we are.

Just a small kit, Maglite solitare, and SAK Hiker.


-RB

 

Despite the onslaught of bugs, none bothered me partly because I was on a raised bed and partly because I don’t care about them. I can’t recall ever hearing of people killed in their sleep by bugs. I have also been around a lot of bugs and had everything crawl on me, so those types of things don’t bother me.

The Isula ant is a different story, I will usually try to avoid them.

-RB

 

I slept by the fire all night so the smoke helped and there was a nice breeze.

-RB

 

Finally got some pics of it.

What’s in the pouch?



-RB

 

Look up Mormon Rocks and you will find everything you need about how to get there.

-RB