tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48164966523074937062024-02-19T04:24:32.230-08:00My Own Two FeetOnce upon a time I hiked and backpacked (older posts) now I mostly obsess about my feet.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-36463959038212881092023-10-31T22:23:00.000-07:002023-10-31T22:23:15.879-07:00DIY fun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamsxx5RqCSTS1rkcKH9xWGf-6ztfOdxQZQLvi0YXikYlYQOFdyU7CSQkvukLuJVoajF7-iWNGpCzVfgqtx4hKN7unvQaOWJ6-NkOwd9yixM1YTqG0XhAEWS6h_qq_ktsm9daIjShlmrRxLA8uEru6yB-S0kFdpjlVX7DjJ_emzkGQgMQrgFHgOwiB-Qs/s4032/PXL_20231014_161708903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamsxx5RqCSTS1rkcKH9xWGf-6ztfOdxQZQLvi0YXikYlYQOFdyU7CSQkvukLuJVoajF7-iWNGpCzVfgqtx4hKN7unvQaOWJ6-NkOwd9yixM1YTqG0XhAEWS6h_qq_ktsm9daIjShlmrRxLA8uEru6yB-S0kFdpjlVX7DjJ_emzkGQgMQrgFHgOwiB-Qs/s320/PXL_20231014_161708903.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Tried my hand at making sandals. <div><br /></div><div>Started with this tutorial </div><div>https://docott.com/sandals/ </div><div>and then diverged wildly. <br /><p></p><p>Leather (one side smooth, other suede) and leather lacing. Pretty good. Decided I needed an additional toe loop to keep my feet in position (next to the pinky). Makes for slightly complicated lacing.</p><p>I tested the pattern out with children's foam and a couple of shoe strings: discovered I needed to reinforce the trial foam version with packing tape or the holes ripped right out.</p><p>Walking downhill (I tromped up and down the driveway on my test strolls - driveways out here are all up or all down) disturbed the relationship of my foot to the shoe the most.</p><p>I'd like the sole to be curved a bit more so the sole stays under my heel better. You can see how the bottom of the sole shows my heel wandering off to the inside (or the shoe wandering off to the outside). Just a matter of perspective I suppose. It is possible to lace the shoe so that wandering habit is less pronounced, but I'd rather engineer things so there is less fussing needed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut7_KdkRFXV0J2k-07pLsU3UjITpfTqe0nSe-5daaImK0tsP6k09fu5R0CvdecSl_6S8lh9wgNAFAtr3weslFtNPjD7ldTukaMtLxqp3ICHJHw5ArcOpHA70-_8xLg1uKKRm044gic2Afma00H30wJdCJIijF67F0iTYqD09_cfubLQkQ17nPV9THRIQ/s4032/PXL_20231014_162238003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut7_KdkRFXV0J2k-07pLsU3UjITpfTqe0nSe-5daaImK0tsP6k09fu5R0CvdecSl_6S8lh9wgNAFAtr3weslFtNPjD7ldTukaMtLxqp3ICHJHw5ArcOpHA70-_8xLg1uKKRm044gic2Afma00H30wJdCJIijF67F0iTYqD09_cfubLQkQ17nPV9THRIQ/s320/PXL_20231014_162238003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Overall pleased.</p><p>I've been diligently wearing my Correct Toes in my Splay shoes. I can wear them all day now, even at work on a hard floor, so I think it is time to add a little bit of material to the big toe spacer to encourage my big toe to an even better position. I've also been haphazardly doing various toe stretching and foot strengthening exercises.</p><p>Get out there and WALK!</p></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-80990483515307722422023-10-02T14:40:00.002-07:002023-10-02T14:40:24.533-07:00A shoe habit<p> Well, I caved in and bought a pair of Juuri barefoot sandals. You can buy them in the US from the shop at Anya's Reviews, which is what I did.</p><p>A 43 fits me fine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigATCgmzawerhjP0UbwQmF2syVTJsh-NKAKd2b57z_pMAkt8NH0ka7HKVnNzJb-RkQXh7Yfu_CLjZssOvStB4SCF51T1FrNVmXPJLyQbe_vEiJQDbsO-z2avYUbFy7nDWEGOO1nrrVG3tS1-eGdGZsh_BMVBFZUoOrDYq4gAf1v8z3ygQe5WBfM607Z_k/s4032/PXL_20231002_210334475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigATCgmzawerhjP0UbwQmF2syVTJsh-NKAKd2b57z_pMAkt8NH0ka7HKVnNzJb-RkQXh7Yfu_CLjZssOvStB4SCF51T1FrNVmXPJLyQbe_vEiJQDbsO-z2avYUbFy7nDWEGOO1nrrVG3tS1-eGdGZsh_BMVBFZUoOrDYq4gAf1v8z3ygQe5WBfM607Z_k/s320/PXL_20231002_210334475.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>They lace on with nice wide interchangeable ribbons.</p><p>They are pretty easy to adjust and look super cute! These will replace my old Vionic sandals that are NOT zero drop and NOT barefoot.</p><p>Their website shows a million ways to tie them. The laces come in two lengths, I believe these are the standard ones, as I have to asymmetrically thread the laces to get the bows on the front of my not-stick-like legs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuzIoaXIQ-17Ijq-MHtYkkDrSSZMVZcOEMqchs32VK_A8U8r0tHkHKYEnAa4qdlhENWF8lpzDqSHcRzAZWmIzCP24I0iL5kOylPeo9c4OJQpZc1Dgp2C9Pf1yTzo3NCPTvEiMFEY4IpKHMVI3wE3gl1XN_t6Hh-xWeuxrT-wuMymfOh1o3wAmf9nYmPI/s4032/PXL_20231002_210557409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuzIoaXIQ-17Ijq-MHtYkkDrSSZMVZcOEMqchs32VK_A8U8r0tHkHKYEnAa4qdlhENWF8lpzDqSHcRzAZWmIzCP24I0iL5kOylPeo9c4OJQpZc1Dgp2C9Pf1yTzo3NCPTvEiMFEY4IpKHMVI3wE3gl1XN_t6Hh-xWeuxrT-wuMymfOh1o3wAmf9nYmPI/s320/PXL_20231002_210557409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>When I can, I'll order a variety of colors and so on from Juuri in the longer length. </p><p>Are these the ONLY shoes I ordered. Maaaaaaaybe not... more on that later.</p><p>Keep walkin'!</p><p><br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-74205004382066532822023-09-23T14:35:00.001-07:002023-09-23T14:35:46.965-07:00New shoes for meeeeee! Insoles, too.<p> My Splay Freedom sneakers came today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhm5-GmuxxjymCKtg8BTD1BDkFRUPXutQoQu9zfAdNRVPYUDnBjIpmvnj2EQDlG7SS-X0m4fnN956Y8BdAFUBUFk4qX-IuuKcmmAgJOybIb1ulCEooVgYsJN5GOwja_mR8Dsyb4NY91MJ9P1wWfqwNfhm1cC-U-Ea6UWQQnKsp2Kx3ONEttdnF7bhAzg/s3217/1000001720-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3217" data-original-width="2800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhm5-GmuxxjymCKtg8BTD1BDkFRUPXutQoQu9zfAdNRVPYUDnBjIpmvnj2EQDlG7SS-X0m4fnN956Y8BdAFUBUFk4qX-IuuKcmmAgJOybIb1ulCEooVgYsJN5GOwja_mR8Dsyb4NY91MJ9P1wWfqwNfhm1cC-U-Ea6UWQQnKsp2Kx3ONEttdnF7bhAzg/w174-h200/1000001720-01.jpeg" width="174" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Awesome. </p><p><br /></p><p>I went with 12W because my feet are very very wide. I tried a bunch of different lacing patterns, settling on lock lacing, which keeps the shoe very nicely attached to my foot with minimal heel-slop.</p><p>Although I could wish for a little tiny bit of extra height at the toe box, they do fit well enough with the Correct Toes over my Injinji socks!</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCos1dvfhEJIT5QiMraCW-nLhXf8ZByxYXeSMDCDwzO3qSU-hpwJoiVq2jr1UYAq5x-o-uyHICFsjYZZtaq2pNZHkTWNKXp7PUWTGlLfj4ofXBDzKwql6nnJYRK_0df27NslTJDU-fk3NlkOURnHvmAHM38ftEoXr4S5djiO6kzc5-N1dVas8RxsGV0AI/s4032/PXL_20230923_191725561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCos1dvfhEJIT5QiMraCW-nLhXf8ZByxYXeSMDCDwzO3qSU-hpwJoiVq2jr1UYAq5x-o-uyHICFsjYZZtaq2pNZHkTWNKXp7PUWTGlLfj4ofXBDzKwql6nnJYRK_0df27NslTJDU-fk3NlkOURnHvmAHM38ftEoXr4S5djiO6kzc5-N1dVas8RxsGV0AI/w150-h200/PXL_20230923_191725561.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freedom, Correct Toes, and battered Keds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>These are replacing my toe-smashing Keds. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I will want a cushion insole in there because I'm old and fat and my feet are picky.</p><p>These shoes come with an optional insole. I will use them for now. I did try stacking both insoles in one shoe and there was still just enough room in the toe.</p><p>So, I'll probably go with a Northsole insert, the thinner Legacy3. I don't think the extra cushion version will leave enough height for my toes.</p><p>Nice segue!</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT2KlfjQrhXIoXcPaoa9tEqjaJuPK3gP2u_4YwQJmW0PC4xini0jgk3IoqInQkBI0RsKhyFmY21m2zZQEP2LTbnwzhA4dAxK6lcpEL_fX15Fmr6hWooRmfmb0RUbaR5fnIZKiioJRKZAYtK0pujrH4V40wcIdAD8q2CwwxXYpZC2bFbfC-WzYhmySLME/s4032/PXL_20230923_190705389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT2KlfjQrhXIoXcPaoa9tEqjaJuPK3gP2u_4YwQJmW0PC4xini0jgk3IoqInQkBI0RsKhyFmY21m2zZQEP2LTbnwzhA4dAxK6lcpEL_fX15Fmr6hWooRmfmb0RUbaR5fnIZKiioJRKZAYtK0pujrH4V40wcIdAD8q2CwwxXYpZC2bFbfC-WzYhmySLME/w200-h150/PXL_20230923_190705389.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those Altra are dying, aren't they?</td></tr></tbody></table>I got a pair of Northsole Legacy Extra Cushion insoles and trimmed them and stuck them in my dying Altra Torin trail runners (a zero heel, wide toe box shoe) that I use for work. I'll keep wearing the Torin until I can switch to the Freedom for work.</p>The size large in Northsole was just big enough to trim down for my men's 11 US Altra shoes. Going forward, I'll be buying XL in the Northsoles.<br /><p><br /></p><p>My goal is not to pay $100+ for a pair of shoes every 4 months, but to buy one pair a year and new insoles sometimes. AND to have happy toes.</p><p>I suppose I ought to provide a reference pic of my smashed feet. I should have taken a picture a week ago, since I can already see a little space developing between my first and second toes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4uotnooNFWRtWis8eLUJ-H8AVjxZKzv642dyfJZJcWHDMzAjOHgvUi1aD8EYXt8b2rOGNFnC8NYBz4Ro6poBtdpGysHW0BAU699-SBiMhPyc9__koI3n2XTbbuKrEe7jjPaOCfr6xX1POFMINuRt0gi5BgkNE7Q-yBznZlqKOk6CQlLdRMPFYFDlPMo/s4032/PXL_20230923_212608360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4uotnooNFWRtWis8eLUJ-H8AVjxZKzv642dyfJZJcWHDMzAjOHgvUi1aD8EYXt8b2rOGNFnC8NYBz4Ro6poBtdpGysHW0BAU699-SBiMhPyc9__koI3n2XTbbuKrEe7jjPaOCfr6xX1POFMINuRt0gi5BgkNE7Q-yBznZlqKOk6CQlLdRMPFYFDlPMo/w200-h150/PXL_20230923_212608360.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-49663316646909638802023-09-22T23:04:00.000-07:002023-09-22T23:04:44.783-07:00Changing the focus a bit<p>I gave up hiking and backpacking well before the pandemic. Then I briefly enjoyed (so much fun!) trail running, and was working my way up to (and had registered for a 5K) when my knee arthritis reared up and took that away from me. Sad sad day. And on my birthday, no less.</p><p>After months of physical therapy (I can do walking lunges! FREAKING WALKING LUNGES now, but I've decided at 60 years of age, running on trails is just too risky. That was a terribly hard decision to make.</p><p>So I've turned my attention instead to foot health and proper toe alignment and all that cool stuff. Because I'm pretty sure much of the wear and tear on my knees is from lousy alignment.</p><p>No, I have not consulted a podiatrist or other specialist because my insurance is quite difficult about that kind of thing and it is basically not covered. SO DON'T TAKE ANYTHING I SAY TO HEART. And don't nag me either.</p><p>I had gone to zero drop footwear several years before, finding that it was just plain more comfortable.</p><p>But I had not really paid much attention to my tootsies. My poor smashed toes. I have had bunions for years, decades really. I remember being enchanted by my ability to stack my big toes next each other one Christmas morning, an Xmas that involved Barbie dolls, so I was probably 8 or 9.</p><p>Basically, my big toe is tilted alarmingly toward my other toes, so much that I pronate horribly and my pinky toes are trying to become hammer toes from lack of regular ground contact.</p><p>So I did a bunch of reading, and studying up on foot structure, and how to correct it (no surgery) and finally settled on Correct Toes. I get NO sponsorship from any of this, just so ya know.</p><p>One of the things that the Correct Toes folks point out is that most people, when their big toes are lined up with the rest of the bones there, instead of dodging to the middle like mine do, it is nearly impossible to pronate very much. I was all, "Yeah, right. Watch me! I'm the Queen of Pronation!"</p><p>Imagine my utter shock and delight when, having stuffed my toes into my brand new Correct Toe thing-a-ma-bobs, admiring my almost straight big toe, I COULD NOT FLOP MY FEET IN much at all.</p><p>Well, I'm sold on the concept. I wore them around while doing household chores for about half an hour (what they recommend) and my leg muscles were in shock. "What is this now? We are quite tired and out of sorts so would you PLEASE take those things off and give us a break."</p><p>I have been wearing them about half an hour a day, while cooking dinner or doing chores. I will start adding time (probably 10 minutes a day) next week. I like to take changes like this very slowly.</p><p>I have also added some toe independence exercises (the only toe that really wants to move is my big toe. The next one over will feebly wave, and my pinky just lies there and laughs hysterically, "You want me to do what!?"</p><p>I have determined that my Altra Torin road shoes (wide toe box, zero drop) will fit well enough when I'm wearing my Correct Toes. So I'll be able to wear them at work (retail) when I can work up to a couple hours at a time.</p><p>My Altra shoes are not holding up as well as I'd like, but they are quite pricy to replace, so I've added some Shoe Goo to the failing uppers (not failing enough to make the shoe non-functional, this is preventative, preemptive repair) and stuck some new cushy insoles from Northsole (Legacy extra cushion) in there.</p><p>I have ordered some Splay Freedom sneakers in wide, so we'll see when they come if they, plus cushy insoles, will be a suitable work alternative. Plus, they are cute sneakers. Much better then my old Keds.</p><p>I also decided to commit (almost) fully to wide shoes with zero drop and tossed out about 6 old pairs of low heeled and flat toe-smashing shoes and sandals. I kept one pair of Dansko because they are not as bad as the others (and so cute), and I kept my beloved Vionic sandals because, although they are not zero drop, my toes can wiggle around as much as they like in those shoes. The rest of my shoes are various zero drop wide toe box running shoes. Okay, okay, except for my reproduction 1920 - 1940 shoes. Not giving those up, although I expect in a year or two I'll have to because my feet will have completely adapted to a proper shape and those shoes will be impossible.</p><p>I've started looking for one pair of dress shoes (mostly for concerts) that fit my new requirements, and I've pretty much settled on the Shapen Poppy in wide. We'll see if I actually buy them.</p><p>I also spent several happy hours playing with kids foam sheets, tape, and string, trying to devise a hurache type barefoot sandal lacing pattern that stays put under my feet. I think I have a pattern that will work, so I'll post about that when I get it made. My plan is to incorporate Correct Toes into the sandal so I can have cool homemade hippy shoes, cool comfortable feet, and be fixing my toes as I flit about. Correct Toes have slits placed in such a way to accommodate thong style sandals.</p><p>To use them with my Vionic sandals, I'd have to cut into the Correct Toes and I'm not ready to do that.</p><p>Well, that's enough about my feet and thoughts for now.</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-83406038082573554572017-08-13T22:49:00.001-07:002017-08-13T22:49:36.787-07:00The struggle is realI've been having various physical issues in my legs and feet over the last year or so, so I have not been hiking.<br />
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I'll update this blog if and when I return to The Great Outdoors.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-77440590477363251312016-08-01T15:38:00.000-07:002016-08-01T15:38:44.609-07:00Return to Winnemucca!August 1st, 2016<br />
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My yoga-friends and I finally got our acts together and went on a hike this year.<br />
They had never been on the Carson pass to Winnemucca version. So we did that.<br />
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We got to the trailhead at 8:30 and took about 1.5 hours to go the 2.5 miles to the lake. Back was probably a bit quicker since we had already spent some time gawping at flowers.<br />
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So, on to the good stuff! Pictures! I'm too lazy to organize them so I'll just write a bunch of captions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX9xj_At5pRt-_W4llo8w4DVeidYI3JIb2Kyl01Q0kUGl9h8dIS6c2z9XXJehFGMTiWH6xDMKe4zgZvhcy4zDBonaV93KJQbaWogbMVpuidMwDdTtJW9xOISb_IEZKsj1pRpWOu7fDf0/s1600/CaplesLake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX9xj_At5pRt-_W4llo8w4DVeidYI3JIb2Kyl01Q0kUGl9h8dIS6c2z9XXJehFGMTiWH6xDMKe4zgZvhcy4zDBonaV93KJQbaWogbMVpuidMwDdTtJW9xOISb_IEZKsj1pRpWOu7fDf0/s400/CaplesLake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caples Lake. I take this pic every time I hike this hike. Love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLIIg7_vhy0/V5_NaZfFbOI/AAAAAAAALwY/PMFujgzbxh49BRDKEW3UWEEChl7gWh2VwCLcB/s1600/ElephantsBack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLIIg7_vhy0/V5_NaZfFbOI/AAAAAAAALwY/PMFujgzbxh49BRDKEW3UWEEChl7gWh2VwCLcB/s400/ElephantsBack.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant's Back.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB-dnkGi_SgGw1O5oRxayHiQ3R-ncS_30xrlDF0prg9BqB1xjoCZ1v_ZmRUOMJ7MKhv0YYWT6cKmg8zU08DXwnfvoBdi-B9FlfWrlfzZjTwuTrt0gXub-ddLPm1fPN_NyLvn4VJemGIs/s1600/FlowerFans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB-dnkGi_SgGw1O5oRxayHiQ3R-ncS_30xrlDF0prg9BqB1xjoCZ1v_ZmRUOMJ7MKhv0YYWT6cKmg8zU08DXwnfvoBdi-B9FlfWrlfzZjTwuTrt0gXub-ddLPm1fPN_NyLvn4VJemGIs/s400/FlowerFans.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilted landscape, pretty level trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mxMGWkljwA/V5_NbG4ZUJI/AAAAAAAALwc/6aJaorIIW8IDrZsSCdnL4dPVN0e2w_TFgCLcB/s1600/FlowerField.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mxMGWkljwA/V5_NbG4ZUJI/AAAAAAAALwc/6aJaorIIW8IDrZsSCdnL4dPVN0e2w_TFgCLcB/s400/FlowerField.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hip-deep sea of flowers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeDW5tgLk09PbHed1YG8_xIp2ASp3S3JGbeaSc5sfE2p_HSc7M0sUcB87PlVNiq0J6BReYC6vHMg12TMh5icNSRYPuccI0qEzIIPC__ymc8EVIHmAPfdMsW1TrFcmEpYSWcVVK3Qw8KI/s1600/Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeDW5tgLk09PbHed1YG8_xIp2ASp3S3JGbeaSc5sfE2p_HSc7M0sUcB87PlVNiq0J6BReYC6vHMg12TMh5icNSRYPuccI0qEzIIPC__ymc8EVIHmAPfdMsW1TrFcmEpYSWcVVK3Qw8KI/s400/Flowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astounding variety.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuquOlmODvc/V5_NdXEAw9I/AAAAAAAALwo/4nRx6oA5028AnWnG1s9-Malf0K4XZUKfgCLcB/s1600/Ignored.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuquOlmODvc/V5_NdXEAw9I/AAAAAAAALwo/4nRx6oA5028AnWnG1s9-Malf0K4XZUKfgCLcB/s400/Ignored.JPG" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though the rangers put out these leashes, some hikers ignored the rules.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGYAfA33s6c/V5_Nc22praI/AAAAAAAALwk/Y76-_WzDjUE1M7YNScpF_1cLcMK9lBGVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGYAfA33s6c/V5_Nc22praI/AAAAAAAALwk/Y76-_WzDjUE1M7YNScpF_1cLcMK9lBGVgCLcB/s400/IMG_1282.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new small Deuter daypack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSlGteqBIOxfB05-3_aX2JtdsSAiL5DBKtz5sH1kkTf-0zTGExU3YjYGS0-3lcEv49R8bSAVbn5NY-oF0F4Um6ZeSZgJUHPz7WYzAEzlwm3T60L-F49XSVBYbjg8fhPe2R3WYbg6WEM/s1600/JulySnow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUSlGteqBIOxfB05-3_aX2JtdsSAiL5DBKtz5sH1kkTf-0zTGExU3YjYGS0-3lcEv49R8bSAVbn5NY-oF0F4Um6ZeSZgJUHPz7WYzAEzlwm3T60L-F49XSVBYbjg8fhPe2R3WYbg6WEM/s400/JulySnow.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in August.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOEqNpCCDU/V5_Ne25Bf4I/AAAAAAAALww/5rjhR9gH4Ow_R_-3IEeeNwl1s-lCTdqGgCLcB/s1600/LakeWinnemucca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoOEqNpCCDU/V5_Ne25Bf4I/AAAAAAAALww/5rjhR9gH4Ow_R_-3IEeeNwl1s-lCTdqGgCLcB/s400/LakeWinnemucca.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Winnemucca</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pF22JQumINs/V5_Nf_umMII/AAAAAAAALw0/d4fT8p7xmZc7w6l-K4xIt2bF4zZsy55-QCLcB/s1600/Lupins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pF22JQumINs/V5_Nf_umMII/AAAAAAAALw0/d4fT8p7xmZc7w6l-K4xIt2bF4zZsy55-QCLcB/s400/Lupins.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your lupins or your life!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CiC4fpFB-Y/V5_NgrsNhdI/AAAAAAAALw4/35SY_z7KPno02b4LB95_Wsdo8TW4LNODwCLcB/s1600/MoreFlowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CiC4fpFB-Y/V5_NgrsNhdI/AAAAAAAALw4/35SY_z7KPno02b4LB95_Wsdo8TW4LNODwCLcB/s400/MoreFlowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pshxgUzUoyw/V5_NhOzje4I/AAAAAAAALw8/DKCESXef5oEAqDeIQm0L9hIlDpIGZKJowCLcB/s1600/NotRoses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pshxgUzUoyw/V5_NhOzje4I/AAAAAAAALw8/DKCESXef5oEAqDeIQm0L9hIlDpIGZKJowCLcB/s400/NotRoses.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still more</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLQDIUXrWRU/V5_Nhmt6WsI/AAAAAAAALxA/O5DbNO8XK3IO8bCU8VMQkLCeXCjGn_dGwCLcB/s1600/PuffyFlowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLQDIUXrWRU/V5_Nhmt6WsI/AAAAAAAALxA/O5DbNO8XK3IO8bCU8VMQkLCeXCjGn_dGwCLcB/s400/PuffyFlowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower overload yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBrkS7aGU3o/V5_Nif6OOEI/AAAAAAAALxE/-XqYMU5VnUk83vhn6sXruNo_04olR1Z7gCLcB/s1600/TheYoginis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBrkS7aGU3o/V5_Nif6OOEI/AAAAAAAALxE/-XqYMU5VnUk83vhn6sXruNo_04olR1Z7gCLcB/s400/TheYoginis.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in the middle. Thank you, The Stickpic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2USlzsUelwg/V5_NjUtH6QI/AAAAAAAALxI/WlvF50X2Qnsq48aO29Z9c-duKfW6E92TgCLcB/s1600/TrailView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2USlzsUelwg/V5_NjUtH6QI/AAAAAAAALxI/WlvF50X2Qnsq48aO29Z9c-duKfW6E92TgCLcB/s400/TrailView.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody loves flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-IqDxEait_wsCwy8DcifkfptiT42xL6NxwGDDJOx8u8LUqeEy0vAMG5G5uwam3VVVkPg3lgztuOQLNSeQ6fqSWQGHC0JHII0Jh4VJ6sTVuOrVg0YDMfdo9zu0tgzfsZETJSAt5BBZxI/s1600/TwoOfThree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-IqDxEait_wsCwy8DcifkfptiT42xL6NxwGDDJOx8u8LUqeEy0vAMG5G5uwam3VVVkPg3lgztuOQLNSeQ6fqSWQGHC0JHII0Jh4VJ6sTVuOrVg0YDMfdo9zu0tgzfsZETJSAt5BBZxI/s400/TwoOfThree.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hiking companions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Loyal followers should not despair, I HAVE been out on the trails this year, learning to trail run! It is soooo fun, but does not really fit my idea of this blog. So, all the silence since last year.<br />
I will admit to having missed blogging about an earlier trip to Bassi Falls. Mea culpa.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-70189928036454065942016-03-24T10:58:00.001-07:002016-03-24T10:58:41.291-07:002013: Sky Trailhead, Sky Trail, Pt. Reyes Nat'l Seashore, Marin County, CaliforniaOh my! I never finished this post!! Here you go.<br /> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6s0mTSCeQy8a8pN_scLNjuaPrllrUuzJ8hTnQvrt3Fgcuel4-UJ91suYhuMKWAqY99PsQ9UBrrneAOCnVJ_18brQ134Mz6ZPiTGQxUhCJBlzFzxyuQARSE2LRMy5R-WIFTA14RYCOrQ/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6s0mTSCeQy8a8pN_scLNjuaPrllrUuzJ8hTnQvrt3Fgcuel4-UJ91suYhuMKWAqY99PsQ9UBrrneAOCnVJ_18brQ134Mz6ZPiTGQxUhCJBlzFzxyuQARSE2LRMy5R-WIFTA14RYCOrQ/s320/IMG_3883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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September 16th and 17th, 2013<br />
<br />
A friend of mine and I decided to get out with our hammocks for a short overnight. We chose Point Reyes National Seashore, and picked the shortest trip that would take us to our reserved campsite, Sky Camp #5.<br />
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We took a quick detour down to Limantour Beach, then back to the trailhead to climb up to Sky Camp.<br />
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It was damp and dark in there! So we kept leaving camp and seeking sun: first we checked out all the other (mostly empty) camps, then down to where the privy and water are for more sun.<br />
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Point Reyes is so popular they've put in infrastructure to keep people from trashing the place. I like it.<br />
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We ate dinner at the unoccupied camp #11 in hopes of getting some great sunset. I got fog and clouds, but they were pretty.<br />
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First thing the next day we packed up, munching food bars for breakfast. 1/2 hour later, back at the cars and driving home.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-70657706469308791822016-03-24T10:50:00.000-07:002016-03-24T10:50:03.806-07:00Well, it has been a whileShe Walks by Day!<br />
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23 March 2016<br />
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I've been concentrating on bicycling and swimming since my last hike. But yesterday, Spring Beckoned, I went for a dawn hike at Cronan Ranch. Just 1 1/2 miles, up to the top of West Ridge Trail and back down again.<br />
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It was chilly, 37 degrees, with beautiful piles of fog in the low lying areas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About 3 years ago (whenever the Merrell Trail Gloves came out first) I bought a pair.<br />
I didn't use them much, as I found them uncomfortable at the time. Which I attributed to the 'lack of arch support' (they do have arch support, just not much, as they are designed as a barefoot minimalist shoe). However, I spent a considerable time last summer and this winter in zero drop sandals, which leads me to believe that it was the zero drop that was troubling me, not the minimal arch. AND I've been taking yoga with a different teacher, who emphasizes the arch of the foot during poses. Which has strengthened my arches, and my ankles, a bit also.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDkzQlFVOA7nGnh9Qmb4OLgruRARWOKA3EDg72MLTR418UI9qSavX2KfYVX_M-_6xIVC9zVo_b-zyDWm0hSMCttLy42UWnIJsWcmCIZM-NgPBxL-22r-csMUvbyZoiVFKhIwmjlyT4rc/s1600/MerrellGloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDkzQlFVOA7nGnh9Qmb4OLgruRARWOKA3EDg72MLTR418UI9qSavX2KfYVX_M-_6xIVC9zVo_b-zyDWm0hSMCttLy42UWnIJsWcmCIZM-NgPBxL-22r-csMUvbyZoiVFKhIwmjlyT4rc/s400/MerrellGloves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoes that roll up!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My left ankle is tired (that's the side that pronates more than the other) but overall I really enjoyed skipping up and down the trail in the Merrell shoes. I'm planning on going again (maybe a bit further) tomorrow. Yesterday, I forgot to take my hiking sticks, which normally would have bothered me a lot, as I feel uncertain on steep downhills. Especially on dirt trails. I feel like I'm just waiting for my feet to slide out from under me. I didn't get that sensation in these shoes. I think the Vibram soles help, and they really conform to my feet - the "feet in a concrete box" feeling I get from traditional hiking boots is totally absent.<br />
<br />
Years ago, when I switched to trail runners (Inov8 295) from traditional 'lightweight' hiking boots, I gloried in the sensation of Free Feet! I felt like dancing along the trail. Yesterday, I had that same sensation again, after stepping down to an even lighter shoe. I've been more and more unhappy with my Inov8 shoes, as they have become more uncomfortable as time has passed.<br />
<br />
I'll not use these shoes (the Merrell Gloves) for backpacking right away, but I will use them for day hikes with a very light pack. I'm not sure how they will do on granite slabs (most of my backpacking is in the mountains). I may find that I miss the sticky soles of the Inov8 shoes. Not sure what I will do about backpacking shoes this season.<br />
<br />
I have ordered another pair of Dirty Girl gaiters, as my old ones are too big for these minimalist shoes. The Merrells fit tightly enough that not a lot of dirt and irritants can get down in them, but some did. I don't like stopping to fish dirt and pebbles out, but if I don't, I'll be unhappy. The other thing I'm getting used to with these shoes is No Socks. There seems to be nothing much inside that will irritate my feet. A hike of 5 miles or more will show up any inside irritants.<br />
<br />
Well, that was wordy.<br />
<br />
CU<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-83870912718235845912015-08-17T17:13:00.000-07:002015-08-17T17:13:39.742-07:00Woods Lake to Winnemucca Lake to Round Lake and back to Woods106 in the valley today.<br />
<br />
75 when we returned to the car at 1:30. Not bad!<br />
<br />
Picture story this time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy5jttZVp2k/VdJ1-X2xDdI/AAAAAAAADZ0/UZ6F1t0Xc_s/s1600/ElevationProfile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hy5jttZVp2k/VdJ1-X2xDdI/AAAAAAAADZ0/UZ6F1t0Xc_s/s400/ElevationProfile.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our legs know this was an UP then DOWN hike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDS7qtlHJCM/VdJ2LnsJjVI/AAAAAAAADa8/omGbsFTMovk/s1600/1Trailhead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDS7qtlHJCM/VdJ2LnsJjVI/AAAAAAAADa8/omGbsFTMovk/s400/1Trailhead.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groupie? Thank you StickPic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCTjB9qcDHQ/VdJ2TWccBhI/AAAAAAAADbk/928HKdUmNTE/s1600/2Forest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCTjB9qcDHQ/VdJ2TWccBhI/AAAAAAAADbk/928HKdUmNTE/s400/2Forest.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest at lower elevation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHctAhq8pjD4_iBFAOPchAXz9djEjem5s7R2KB9KtH8euII90DLnWt72ipSUBE4oowMT1JAwbiZlfF2oTyUUKNKoy-4tQGhBZO4L520pVcInNnK-daJ542SNUNtVhJNecnlOGxMa8O8Y/s1600/3UpThere.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHctAhq8pjD4_iBFAOPchAXz9djEjem5s7R2KB9KtH8euII90DLnWt72ipSUBE4oowMT1JAwbiZlfF2oTyUUKNKoy-4tQGhBZO4L520pVcInNnK-daJ542SNUNtVhJNecnlOGxMa8O8Y/s400/3UpThere.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y0Z4Cgqs2I/VdJ2W32mtdI/AAAAAAAADb0/hIKjfQa-_eA/s1600/4Water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y0Z4Cgqs2I/VdJ2W32mtdI/AAAAAAAADb0/hIKjfQa-_eA/s400/4Water.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual factual water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUAhvmgYwZuUjhLKBt79mJVEuEnvZM4FHkzJLplR0VY6A1ILa6tyA9Htl9D_ajXKr8yjzYXGOEc8GPUSIyy0MXLPYiDJy01B8JBL-krFTPq5XqJiZU3qnB3R8mR4JLuMOxrkGhpBB178/s1600/5clouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUAhvmgYwZuUjhLKBt79mJVEuEnvZM4FHkzJLplR0VY6A1ILa6tyA9Htl9D_ajXKr8yjzYXGOEc8GPUSIyy0MXLPYiDJy01B8JBL-krFTPq5XqJiZU3qnB3R8mR4JLuMOxrkGhpBB178/s400/5clouds.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooooh, clouds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxYJMYJ_BCU/VdJ2Z14RtMI/AAAAAAAADcE/qPscrNhjqvI/s1600/6Stories.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxYJMYJ_BCU/VdJ2Z14RtMI/AAAAAAAADcE/qPscrNhjqvI/s400/6Stories.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunch and story time at Lake Winnemucca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4kMZyASFLM/VdJ2bbBsSSI/AAAAAAAADcM/YrwMuszsu_M/s1600/7Winnamucca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4kMZyASFLM/VdJ2bbBsSSI/AAAAAAAADcM/YrwMuszsu_M/s400/7Winnamucca.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye, bye, pretty lake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMDumul6GlE/VdJ2cwUuMUI/AAAAAAAADcU/9PPqUv3F8Jc/s1600/8Selfie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMDumul6GlE/VdJ2cwUuMUI/AAAAAAAADcU/9PPqUv3F8Jc/s400/8Selfie2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, again. Sue me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5oguoVo4bESjgjPLYsX0fV_vPDpufyPqYcqPQq_ivcCkMiTtdyGvFM5yWucVbsxWmlmRMZn20a1YjM-cokrAll11fY6vxD2J3QzdCpYzUi6ldICN8MWy-wapfa8uf6qyzgFoiIBWg4w/s1600/10Lupins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5oguoVo4bESjgjPLYsX0fV_vPDpufyPqYcqPQq_ivcCkMiTtdyGvFM5yWucVbsxWmlmRMZn20a1YjM-cokrAll11fY6vxD2J3QzdCpYzUi6ldICN8MWy-wapfa8uf6qyzgFoiIBWg4w/s400/10Lupins.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Lupins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc28HL4xhuSqTUPVBlHWmqmxjB63nPFXREpriM66qVZ5n9UjxALDRpf4NOnKEMEx_9et-w3TllTyOO0BR5uQDdvgVAMVIgNkubscclCPNmxoqY_RFPQy0eATRlpYprboLy7SAPYkStXg/s1600/11RoundTop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc28HL4xhuSqTUPVBlHWmqmxjB63nPFXREpriM66qVZ5n9UjxALDRpf4NOnKEMEx_9et-w3TllTyOO0BR5uQDdvgVAMVIgNkubscclCPNmxoqY_RFPQy0eATRlpYprboLy7SAPYkStXg/s400/11RoundTop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDRg8K2PuXU/VdJ2ETOgw6I/AAAAAAAADaI/6q9PScRX-9M/s1600/12RoundClimbers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDRg8K2PuXU/VdJ2ETOgw6I/AAAAAAAADaI/6q9PScRX-9M/s400/12RoundClimbers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunatics climbing Round Top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWYIca3yxe-XuChkEqkKJkMklSovxcRZ6d6J8GmI4PZVB0rYIWjUggKhVOALx0sQuhzg8sHaWbMNcIMxlaKdjJ2esloXgocEQ_TC_t5hmWVHl_ThG-FS8_5dEmcD4fj724zc8xtlJz10/s1600/14RoundLake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWYIca3yxe-XuChkEqkKJkMklSovxcRZ6d6J8GmI4PZVB0rYIWjUggKhVOALx0sQuhzg8sHaWbMNcIMxlaKdjJ2esloXgocEQ_TC_t5hmWVHl_ThG-FS8_5dEmcD4fj724zc8xtlJz10/s400/14RoundLake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ai2KrFhYEVrKH2lS_vDFy4k098T0-V7sPpadUxVexKgJc5XIgWifrsZVhO9Y3hG99zE24mRtPG-roUFfl-TNwu3d1BGl5kLaqeLKGJP5NKI7LGlzMIo9OqOqpGDsBD5PscypRoyLFRI/s1600/15Highest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ai2KrFhYEVrKH2lS_vDFy4k098T0-V7sPpadUxVexKgJc5XIgWifrsZVhO9Y3hG99zE24mRtPG-roUFfl-TNwu3d1BGl5kLaqeLKGJP5NKI7LGlzMIo9OqOqpGDsBD5PscypRoyLFRI/s400/15Highest.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPLXZkhEJsiqK5AOpKILhiTa2NRmHcxT2lGPyjBoK22UipoXZUbzeCjxVGd-pUXQ2WXIeRzGimqAJjuZ0jEp4y7VW7oBA-Z1UOEM5yvLQBkfb7o_UoN1Gi6BEeCzF3M6lwwhp0qfCL3s/s1600/16View.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPLXZkhEJsiqK5AOpKILhiTa2NRmHcxT2lGPyjBoK22UipoXZUbzeCjxVGd-pUXQ2WXIeRzGimqAJjuZ0jEp4y7VW7oBA-Z1UOEM5yvLQBkfb7o_UoN1Gi6BEeCzF3M6lwwhp0qfCL3s/s400/16View.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh, view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pE7Nr9ZPH6E/VdJ2Iv-d-SI/AAAAAAAADas/EYlHE9av-BA/s1600/17Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pE7Nr9ZPH6E/VdJ2Iv-d-SI/AAAAAAAADas/EYlHE9av-BA/s400/17Flowers.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red flowers (we are not so good at flowers)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnfxI54Mx4g/VdJ2Jzqt4XI/AAAAAAAADa0/oC3G43_Rpxo/s1600/18thstle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnfxI54Mx4g/VdJ2Jzqt4XI/AAAAAAAADa0/oC3G43_Rpxo/s400/18thstle.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh oh! I know! Thistle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLv1p1ZYpBIdE_Mp37P9oGT1_53vk0VQMPP0vtdysknm7vhIjoA2AxuDmHS3Ws1aclIE70UENYa3XOkeTTOpcu60NMej7RcZlmhHxWetZy2NO78m1p0mvPGA3zSWbL3oHfnqx74YC8-k/s1600/20Colors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLv1p1ZYpBIdE_Mp37P9oGT1_53vk0VQMPP0vtdysknm7vhIjoA2AxuDmHS3Ws1aclIE70UENYa3XOkeTTOpcu60NMej7RcZlmhHxWetZy2NO78m1p0mvPGA3zSWbL3oHfnqx74YC8-k/s400/20Colors.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of the ice crystals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElreQz2QT1oSlOtFoUjQ0XI1zdmVIQVMxfrjcMiLPlDKq34lc9BQW-Aun-Winnq4Lg-pP0INC20Yma97avLgOx88nNAzXzjeZhTsLhgnMdyc4M_EJBISo1SRtM4IneMkEEO5JefS3ixo/s1600/20TwistedTree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElreQz2QT1oSlOtFoUjQ0XI1zdmVIQVMxfrjcMiLPlDKq34lc9BQW-Aun-Winnq4Lg-pP0INC20Yma97avLgOx88nNAzXzjeZhTsLhgnMdyc4M_EJBISo1SRtM4IneMkEEO5JefS3ixo/s400/20TwistedTree.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twisted Tree. Baby, I was born this way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8IJcNjhyPPCF6fjwxrZS_RRC01Dm7HplYZNI9fnd3ZlsSrMmFd-YuQRXZjK6MurJ2-EKEkqsHQvwJLa1lWUP0HXjmXGdwibde9toKAtRbJX08uSgyxqs2bsV8VWpVVHDugR7Xgiekp8/s1600/21CreepyTree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8IJcNjhyPPCF6fjwxrZS_RRC01Dm7HplYZNI9fnd3ZlsSrMmFd-YuQRXZjK6MurJ2-EKEkqsHQvwJLa1lWUP0HXjmXGdwibde9toKAtRbJX08uSgyxqs2bsV8VWpVVHDugR7Xgiekp8/s400/21CreepyTree.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrrgh! Born or made?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UY871fN2GmQ/VdJ2R7POR3I/AAAAAAAADbc/eJAc7w_Dzoo/s1600/22CampgroundSlog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UY871fN2GmQ/VdJ2R7POR3I/AAAAAAAADbc/eJAc7w_Dzoo/s400/22CampgroundSlog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started at the Winnemucca trailhead, and came out the Round trailhead. So we slogged through the campground back to the car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-43461845888364793962015-08-14T10:58:00.001-07:002015-08-14T10:58:44.074-07:00Twin Lakes, Desolation Wilderness, August 11-13 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlHQXBCqCOE/Vc4j-B9GdtI/AAAAAAAADWU/5pgBzeYugBs/s1600/PineAtTwinLk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlHQXBCqCOE/Vc4j-B9GdtI/AAAAAAAADWU/5pgBzeYugBs/s640/PineAtTwinLk.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, friends. TWO nights in the backcountry! It has been 7 years since I did more than an overnight. It was great!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BAQ7u0qMxQ/Vc4kFXzp9NI/AAAAAAAADWc/Tkf5Rf0_WTk/s1600/WrightsFromAbove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BAQ7u0qMxQ/Vc4kFXzp9NI/AAAAAAAADWc/Tkf5Rf0_WTk/s400/WrightsFromAbove.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wright's Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Meetup Group (aptly named Turtle Trekkers) made a leisurely climb Tuesday morning from Wright's Lake in the Eldorado National Forest to the peninsula between the two Twin Lakes, about 4 miles hike one way, I think.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9q0hmlGsys/Vc4kK7vhS7I/AAAAAAAADWk/iXXF2PvZy8E/s1600/GroupByLarry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9q0hmlGsys/Vc4kK7vhS7I/AAAAAAAADWk/iXXF2PvZy8E/s640/GroupByLarry.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture by Larry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our mixed bag of 9 hikers (and one poodle) came from all over the Sacramento area: Amador County to Chico. The gear was all over the place as well. From my minimalist pack to the leader's towering Osprey. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehF-dl1m3Mw/Vc4kPeyWDNI/AAAAAAAADWs/ecXQ7JJen44/s1600/BenLizByLarry.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehF-dl1m3Mw/Vc4kPeyWDNI/AAAAAAAADWs/ecXQ7JJen44/s400/BenLizByLarry.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towering Osprey, tiny G4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There were a lot of Osprey packs, and one vintage Kelty! Just like my Kelty. Cool! Several Svea 123 stoves. Tower of flames and a mighty roar of white gas.<br />
<br />
Most people were overloaded, in my opinion. But, hey! If you can get up
the mountain, and you have a good time, maybe there's nothing to fix!<br />
<br />
We lunched as soon as we got to the nearest shore of Twin Lakes, refilling water bottles and waiting for the slower folks to catch up before heading to the peninsula to choose a campsite.<br />
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There are scattered trees in this part of the Desolation Wilderness, but not very many places to hang a hammock. I found two trees (the ONLY two trees) to use. The were very far apart, to the limit of the length of suspension I had with me. But I made it work. The first night was mostly sleepless, as I had the hammock strung too tightly, and oriented such that the repeated wind gusts came in the head end of my setup.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0jgCLojC-E/Vc4kVrj54AI/AAAAAAAADW0/SKnJVC5GVAY/s1600/InitialHang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0jgCLojC-E/Vc4kVrj54AI/AAAAAAAADW0/SKnJVC5GVAY/s400/InitialHang.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First night setup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My hammock sock was a champ, keeping the cold gusts off of me. The low was 51, high around 80. I do want to make a double ended stuff sack for the sock, as it blew around quite vigorously during the day time gusts. I also want to make a new pillow, as my old one is flat from years of use (DIY Primaloft and Momentum).<br />
<br />
We stayed at Twin Lakes for a second night (our plan from the start). So I turned my whole setup end for end, decided to go tarp-less, and enlisted a couple of extra arms and trekking poles to help me inch one of the tree straps a couple feet higher. Much more comfortable! The hammock was still fairly tight, but better.<br />
<br />
The wind gusts continued all the second night, but, because I had tied up my tarp, the only rattling in the wind was my hammock sock, much more tolerable then the flapping of my improvised poncho "door" to the (unnecessary) tarp. Silnyon flapping in the wind equals "loose tarp! Go stake it down!" and made for an unrestful first night.<br />
<br />
The length of my straps (Warbonnet Blackbird cinch buckle suspension) are quite long, and I used every bit of them. Between the long straps and the tall trees, the wind gusts would bounce the hammock a bit.<br />
Some of the gusts were strong enough to shove my hammock-encased 230lb self sideways quite noticeably. The first times were somewhat scary, but then it was kind of fun!<br />
First, I'd hear the freight-train-like sound of the wind in distant trees, then my two trees would start to tremble, bouncing the hammock, then the BIG SHOVE like a giant, solid hand and I'd sway for a few minutes after. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ripgrpSu0ok/Vc4riT-UUpI/AAAAAAAADZI/_494lRII6EA/s1600/PeopleAtTwinOutlet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ripgrpSu0ok/Vc4riT-UUpI/AAAAAAAADZI/_494lRII6EA/s400/PeopleAtTwinOutlet.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random strangers to give you a scale for the rocks. And to break up the text only narrative!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The purpose of this trip was to admire the Perseid meteor showers that occur this time of year. I saw one meteor early Wednesday, but Thursday was a much better night. I wake frequently when camping, so had plenty of chances to see entertaining stars and streaks of light when ever I woke. The last meteor I saw was at 5:36am, when the stars were no longer visible.<br />
<br />
I saw bats at dusk on Wednesday.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MfaHTwTE_s/Vc4kaNzjKNI/AAAAAAAADW8/YKu-c4VWrEU/s1600/GroundSquirrel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MfaHTwTE_s/Vc4kaNzjKNI/AAAAAAAADW8/YKu-c4VWrEU/s320/GroundSquirrel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not-a-chipmunk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There were dozens of cute and curious Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels around (one of the hikers has a retirement job as a Mountain Host and nature guide at Heavenly resort. If he had not been there, these rodents would be called Chipmunks for all time). And Mountain Chickadees. And yellow jackets. I could have done without the latter. The squirrels would investigate any unattended pack for food, scurrying in and out of pockets. People finally learned to keep their food in the bear cans.<br />
<br />
Most people had brought bear cans. I had the only Ursack. The last morning, my Opsac for food (I bring one for food, one for trash - odorproof, leakproof zip closure bags) gave up the ghost.<br />
One woman (who ended up, along with two others, hiking out after one night) brought a huge old yellow Garcia can filled with a LOT of food. She must have had at least 7 pounds of grocery store items in there. Including a glass jar of pesto, and 3 Bear Mountain soup mixes, each one requiring 8 cups of water and 10 minutes of boiling to render edible.<br />
<br />
facepalm<br />
<br />
Many people ate Mountain House meals.<br />
<br />
I went stoveless, eating nuts, dried fruit, smoked goat cheddar cheese, fresh snap peas, and salmon jerky. I carried a pound of food for every 24 hours I was out. I walked out with 1/2 of a trail bar left over. Yes!<br />
I decided that no dishes was nice, but I would have liked a cup of tea once in a while. So I'll bring a stove next time. Especially on a longer-than-one-night trip.<br />
<br />
Something I did bring, a first for me, was a pair of Xero shoes for camp shoes. BLISS! My toes hate being confined, so a pair of barefoot sandals were just the ticket. I did neglect to put sunscreen on my feet at one point, so I'm sporting a new sandal tan.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, the remaining campers (remember, three had left early) hiked over to Island Lake. I chose to stay in camp (I didn't want to put my hiking shoes on) using the time to wander around taking pictures. So I did. Here are some of the pics I took.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHLEUDc7fM/Vc4kwGJ86yI/AAAAAAAADXc/QcTRJ-T8_N0/s1600/AnotherSplitRock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHLEUDc7fM/Vc4kwGJ86yI/AAAAAAAADXc/QcTRJ-T8_N0/s400/AnotherSplitRock.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many interesting split rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeK0s9l4WZE/Vc4k85d9gYI/AAAAAAAADX0/8JMxlJQcm5g/s1600/PineCloseup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeK0s9l4WZE/Vc4k85d9gYI/AAAAAAAADX0/8JMxlJQcm5g/s400/PineCloseup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl15F4bOGpZFcNoFh5SdSX61x__pilcrmrlBn9MnULU1IS0bKlYK80THaigUQlW3RgBYQoy61IhGhkR72GxGRcaezhUEduqw81ooDWZn0hyphenhyphenDl6w-ondHI-Z9n8hbudoxpgRrfKW7syTyQ/s1600/PineCloudRock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl15F4bOGpZFcNoFh5SdSX61x__pilcrmrlBn9MnULU1IS0bKlYK80THaigUQlW3RgBYQoy61IhGhkR72GxGRcaezhUEduqw81ooDWZn0hyphenhyphenDl6w-ondHI-Z9n8hbudoxpgRrfKW7syTyQ/s400/PineCloudRock.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dYS0PbKfUpygj1MFppZdyP6HpZUg8Sp9TWkyVayPayapopowlmVJyDmj790JVTcv2mqKnqRtoaZBbQclR0tYz1W5ADTmDzO6U5nW_P84V45x_FAJNeKrTqfpeRQd28zXOD3Aja53_0A/s1600/PineFlare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dYS0PbKfUpygj1MFppZdyP6HpZUg8Sp9TWkyVayPayapopowlmVJyDmj790JVTcv2mqKnqRtoaZBbQclR0tYz1W5ADTmDzO6U5nW_P84V45x_FAJNeKrTqfpeRQd28zXOD3Aja53_0A/s400/PineFlare.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xWtMiz07Wc/Vc4k_4tjw6I/AAAAAAAADYM/xs3Dxi1eUms/s1600/RockWallTwinLk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xWtMiz07Wc/Vc4k_4tjw6I/AAAAAAAADYM/xs3Dxi1eUms/s400/RockWallTwinLk.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Lake is surrounded on three sides by a towering rock wall with several unnamed peaks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8KYsMWC0qA/Vc4lBePY-uI/AAAAAAAADYU/g5V-jDdSB2Q/s1600/StipeSplitRock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8KYsMWC0qA/Vc4lBePY-uI/AAAAAAAADYU/g5V-jDdSB2Q/s400/StipeSplitRock.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'nother cool split rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VhP9keJGywV996-ShyphenhyphenmYeqi2TYjJM7gwJLDXld2xsTQMtZankc4NNTOuOPYGOmuXVAXS9iy9IpN17urV1lbiyzm4FN_8dOiRn2O6l5wH2HUR1Y8gxqWBAiH7tNNrbn-Cq9Lha786bdg/s1600/TwinRockWall1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VhP9keJGywV996-ShyphenhyphenmYeqi2TYjJM7gwJLDXld2xsTQMtZankc4NNTOuOPYGOmuXVAXS9iy9IpN17urV1lbiyzm4FN_8dOiRn2O6l5wH2HUR1Y8gxqWBAiH7tNNrbn-Cq9Lha786bdg/s400/TwinRockWall1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Desolation is a very heavily used area, requiring permits for all use. Overnight stays are subject to a quota system, but day trips are self-permitted. So there were swarms of people by the lake on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Our campsite had been used before, with many Marlborough butts to clean up, Clif bar wrappers, gel packet corners, several abandoned tent stakes, and signs of one illegal campfire. People are slobs!<br />
<br />
On a less trashy note - but still destructive - previous campers had indulged in rock art, which we used for photo ops. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUaUbzlOc6U/Vc4kgdN8rTI/AAAAAAAADXE/tMuhgOM-LjI/s1600/Jeff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUaUbzlOc6U/Vc4kgdN8rTI/AAAAAAAADXE/tMuhgOM-LjI/s400/Jeff.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbA0VD_F88SIrSwLqUJhdMO_oZvMs6wuptfHCX8hRPWeDzqiuaMd9NxVsSbMQCEI6P8AgKAPX8iPxYQR_Ex6ouJKOk-WqDQaGGTFPM8VU9oqqBbe7R73sxMkBg-1RBMDeLxDh8jPmDA/s1600/MiaDonna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lbA0VD_F88SIrSwLqUJhdMO_oZvMs6wuptfHCX8hRPWeDzqiuaMd9NxVsSbMQCEI6P8AgKAPX8iPxYQR_Ex6ouJKOk-WqDQaGGTFPM8VU9oqqBbe7R73sxMkBg-1RBMDeLxDh8jPmDA/s400/MiaDonna.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some enterprising camper made a table and chairs?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thursday morning, we packed up and were on the trail at 10:40, and back to the cars 2 hours and 15 minutes later.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxmOZ0WfsmpvvgSFIRAKWrFk0QRdZtpmBEGzr-HSWRuyIV2eBsJzIpR3nLlHWLxPX0QvhPDpcqDyXuxTFNPRvax7lxGX6R0tJWSZ71cxDAvwRG-PHOJ_IAyTwtAPkfzoqR_p7waXfcKo/s1600/Trail3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxmOZ0WfsmpvvgSFIRAKWrFk0QRdZtpmBEGzr-HSWRuyIV2eBsJzIpR3nLlHWLxPX0QvhPDpcqDyXuxTFNPRvax7lxGX6R0tJWSZ71cxDAvwRG-PHOJ_IAyTwtAPkfzoqR_p7waXfcKo/s400/Trail3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the trail is not in rock filled runoff ravines, it crosses granite slabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
A very satisfying trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo1PjJs9v77A8G_0z2AsKIV1PIGT8IORxKOJ8VnkiSw_Bbk5F2gU4k80Mxq7JPbqcArGl4Q03sBdwTlJvEwwkKpE2rKkT4gc77xhzX6IHTb1HO_Wuw5nP9sdDnxzLOrHypUNfmoYaDdQ/s1600/Wildflowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo1PjJs9v77A8G_0z2AsKIV1PIGT8IORxKOJ8VnkiSw_Bbk5F2gU4k80Mxq7JPbqcArGl4Q03sBdwTlJvEwwkKpE2rKkT4gc77xhzX6IHTb1HO_Wuw5nP9sdDnxzLOrHypUNfmoYaDdQ/s400/Wildflowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I need to start thinking about new hiking clothes, as my current set is either too big, no longer sun blocking, or worn beyond repair.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnjVnZvhh7o/Vc4k7Ux3ObI/AAAAAAAADXs/5cjXZmy4yFU/s1600/MeAtBoundry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnjVnZvhh7o/Vc4k7Ux3ObI/AAAAAAAADXs/5cjXZmy4yFU/s400/MeAtBoundry.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New red shirt! No, I'm NOT expendable!</td></tr>
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-72551839660764057412015-08-03T16:54:00.000-07:002015-08-03T16:54:02.900-07:00Meiss Meadows, Lake Tahoe Management Unit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiPEVg45WK-3ee5QCPF3o8QAZesaxYN5D7e9cAFP_CBM-FLjqA4321n8s71_JpPpRjsAZX7QzgoMq0oQc8hcZjwTCrAjFxsGs4R4DGeOWkG3sYW3dFOY1UMTTDCj15g3in6-tn-90IXQ/s1600/MEadowView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiPEVg45WK-3ee5QCPF3o8QAZesaxYN5D7e9cAFP_CBM-FLjqA4321n8s71_JpPpRjsAZX7QzgoMq0oQc8hcZjwTCrAjFxsGs4R4DGeOWkG3sYW3dFOY1UMTTDCj15g3in6-tn-90IXQ/s400/MEadowView.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadows</td></tr>
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It was a beautiful day to exchange the hot weather in the foothills for warm weather in the mountains.<br />
One of the Hiking Yoginis and I set out about 9am from the Meiss Meadows Trailhead, to climb up and over and down to beautiful Meiss Meadows. We sat in the shade of the Meiss cabins, then up and over back to the car.<br />
<br />
I was mightily confused by pretty much everything today, but eventually worked out that we had hiked 6 miles, not 3 miles. So I feel better about sore legs!<br />
<br />
This is a partial repeat of a trip (overnight that time) to Showers Lake. I believe I took some of the same pictures then!<br />
<br />
I'll add some captions to the pictures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYHivNjT5As/Vb_9dSr0UlI/AAAAAAAADUQ/4pplDCFKJd4/s1600/2Yoginis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYHivNjT5As/Vb_9dSr0UlI/AAAAAAAADUQ/4pplDCFKJd4/s400/2Yoginis.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hiking Yoginis (2 of 3) on top of the climb</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkIqAh4w4BAuIReiOJBhhpnmU6JRpruIrph_VUDu6u0oY0TpRevGIs8aRkyH-4mj9jA5j4sjqiH-Qd2sLogAXnKynjs2gL2pz4BP_kM_Ry8gaX99dAex64XEKIfvOikvcDT0W2ruPKgg/s1600/BigTower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkIqAh4w4BAuIReiOJBhhpnmU6JRpruIrph_VUDu6u0oY0TpRevGIs8aRkyH-4mj9jA5j4sjqiH-Qd2sLogAXnKynjs2gL2pz4BP_kM_Ry8gaX99dAex64XEKIfvOikvcDT0W2ruPKgg/s400/BigTower.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever it is, it is done blooming but still looks nifty. Top of climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31MZSSVo7Y8/Vb_9eVMHCxI/AAAAAAAADUc/w8I_wb_Dwh0/s1600/Cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31MZSSVo7Y8/Vb_9eVMHCxI/AAAAAAAADUc/w8I_wb_Dwh0/s400/Cabin.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin shade in the meadow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTdhPCGq2Ew/Vb_9cbWvZdI/AAAAAAAADUE/UBjyJECGw7s/s1600/CAbins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTdhPCGq2Ew/Vb_9cbWvZdI/AAAAAAAADUE/UBjyJECGw7s/s400/CAbins.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meiss Cabins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnmZqrpg0nT1uGMcgoYifzNVKov46oAQu84tUPRN0WIxewFW3j-qd4bA06IktWqpm4veq8hnmnXwQorORWuYlC42nMA8EZjVaefvcH8GaKBWf16t1dPkvDHz_UkcO-f77f4bfconvFZ4/s1600/CreepyPlants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnmZqrpg0nT1uGMcgoYifzNVKov46oAQu84tUPRN0WIxewFW3j-qd4bA06IktWqpm4veq8hnmnXwQorORWuYlC42nMA8EZjVaefvcH8GaKBWf16t1dPkvDHz_UkcO-f77f4bfconvFZ4/s400/CreepyPlants.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These dried out plants rattled away in the breeze like a horror movie soundtrack! On the climb up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82UrIRiqqus/Vb_9hhaUW5I/AAAAAAAADU0/ZxODGql5d0E/s1600/LushMeadow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82UrIRiqqus/Vb_9hhaUW5I/AAAAAAAADU0/ZxODGql5d0E/s400/LushMeadow.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flare!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdrk2HJlKdNz4FiSrEKEvFnwy0u-or26lrYAx78Pv0Sge-omQGagPSVVvOhBS8CAz3bOuW9N-r-_D9TV-yvWPlbZOgj-BNXEqf_vyCzi3VsCSjJoJz2TC2WFkT_bZcybn4j25igBIEZI/s1600/TruckeeFlowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdrk2HJlKdNz4FiSrEKEvFnwy0u-or26lrYAx78Pv0Sge-omQGagPSVVvOhBS8CAz3bOuW9N-r-_D9TV-yvWPlbZOgj-BNXEqf_vyCzi3VsCSjJoJz2TC2WFkT_bZcybn4j25igBIEZI/s400/TruckeeFlowers.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Truckee River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-DFMaa69BI/Vb_9jG-j7fI/AAAAAAAADVA/y_9QebhotCg/s1600/UpAndOver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-DFMaa69BI/Vb_9jG-j7fI/AAAAAAAADVA/y_9QebhotCg/s400/UpAndOver.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing to get the the ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9b_-Ons07sc/Vb_9kUxcHMI/AAAAAAAADVM/2asCNUGxvDw/s1600/WAter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9b_-Ons07sc/Vb_9kUxcHMI/AAAAAAAADVM/2asCNUGxvDw/s400/WAter.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I spent a few minutes randomly holding my camera roughly parallel to the ground, with the lens zoomed all the way out, snapping away and seeing what I got. Fun!<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-19128219540094551912015-07-19T16:16:00.000-07:002015-07-19T16:16:08.879-07:00Lower Lola Montez Lake, Tahoe Nat'l Forest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs4Cq6OQQ_uaJ81M4OR6bEQgIy6r6wuadH-vOJkP638YZvw44YwF9CCAXgRYz1AjXK35EVslSexl5JkmFBTjAkwLUvf4QPyz7-hX_q-xTCPHIZNywFfpouGIugZ-86IQ2YpGMkOQE3To/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs4Cq6OQQ_uaJ81M4OR6bEQgIy6r6wuadH-vOJkP638YZvw44YwF9CCAXgRYz1AjXK35EVslSexl5JkmFBTjAkwLUvf4QPyz7-hX_q-xTCPHIZNywFfpouGIugZ-86IQ2YpGMkOQE3To/s400/IMG_0722.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Lola Montez Lake</td></tr>
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Another delightful overnight with a Meetup group.<br />
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About 3 miles each way, this trail is part of a popular mountain bike loop. We saw plenty of riders!<br />
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We had 5 people and a dog. One hammocker (me), two tenters, and one person (7lb base weight!) with a tarp.<br />
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The people and the dog were all entranced by the resident marmot (sorry, no pictures). A big fellow, bold. Loved to tease the dog. The dog, when not cadging food, spent her time either excavating the marmot, or rolling in fish guts. Not my dog, not my circus, and - thankfully, not in my tent!<br />
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Speaking of fish, two of the group brought poles and had a good time catch and release fishing.<br />
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I had my usual set up of a hammock. Comfy!<br />
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I loafed around, reading a book and trying my hand at a new hobby - sketching!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuoYG-9BAIc/VawuCQQYB6I/AAAAAAAADSk/_mJ7Nr6ju0Q/s1600/DwarfPineSketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuoYG-9BAIc/VawuCQQYB6I/AAAAAAAADSk/_mJ7Nr6ju0Q/s400/DwarfPineSketch.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwarf Pine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwQiHaxyirLHQSLM4TAv8tmZXoP7urRzA8FVkjAQ_HAyuexevDyqrTh_7eMbdWR0BbgAMSEQyzf8ufxA_ZCoAp6bdp2bAxAO4IKeybN92p6UUOYUqtNCmIZqI8w4VDgzOqCnHNonEluw/s1600/HammockViewSketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwQiHaxyirLHQSLM4TAv8tmZXoP7urRzA8FVkjAQ_HAyuexevDyqrTh_7eMbdWR0BbgAMSEQyzf8ufxA_ZCoAp6bdp2bAxAO4IKeybN92p6UUOYUqtNCmIZqI8w4VDgzOqCnHNonEluw/s400/HammockViewSketch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from underneath my hammock's tarp</td></tr>
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One of our group hiked with a walking boot. I'm starting to understand why she wears the things out over and over again. I admire her persistence, hiking with a broken foot with two more upcoming surgeries.<br />
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The weather was nice, just under 80 on Saturday, with a low in the mid 40s. A few mosquitoes, but not too many.<br />
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We hiked out on Sunday, stepping down down down several sets of railroad tie steps, and a beat up, rock filled gully (beloved of mountain bikers, I'm sure, not so beloved by me). Much of the route to the lakes is on graveled, private roads.<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-88151762292673663922015-06-22T18:37:00.000-07:002015-06-22T18:37:37.255-07:00Cascade Falls, Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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22 June, 2015<br />
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A short hike with my yoga pals this morning. Up from Bayview Campground to Cascade Creek and back.<br />
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We had planned to hike in the Carson Pass area, but there is a rapidly expanding, fierce wildfire in that area: The Washington Fire. We didn't want to mess with fire and smoke, so decided to head to beautiful Lake Tahoe instead.<br />
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That 'cloud' behind the mountains is probably the plume from the fire, visible on our hike out from the falls. We could see it rising up and up in just a few minutes of watching!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_QnPbpSM1LU/VYi1L_6jqoI/AAAAAAAADRg/fJxh5bvp0aY/s1600/SmokePlume2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_QnPbpSM1LU/VYi1L_6jqoI/AAAAAAAADRg/fJxh5bvp0aY/s400/SmokePlume2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a map, with labels to give you an idea of the distance between our hike and the fire. I dropped the scale in the middle of the lake.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUfVvPwb5Q0/VYi1JWTQl1I/AAAAAAAADRE/k0i9jySQqa8/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUfVvPwb5Q0/VYi1JWTQl1I/AAAAAAAADRE/k0i9jySQqa8/s400/Map.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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The road leading to the trailhead is right across from Inspiration Point. I took a picture.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFwzsikpe0U/VYi1PYjiOxI/AAAAAAAADR4/p8x39vOhKBk/s1600/ViewInspirationPt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFwzsikpe0U/VYi1PYjiOxI/AAAAAAAADR4/p8x39vOhKBk/s400/ViewInspirationPt.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We stopped playing tourist, and set out on our hike.<br />
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The trail starts off flat but soon gets typically Sierra-ish, with rock staircases in abundance.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuOMdsdOmVU/VYi1IIc1RWI/AAAAAAAADQ0/xBC9cM5xF68/s1600/FlatTrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuOMdsdOmVU/VYi1IIc1RWI/AAAAAAAADQ0/xBC9cM5xF68/s400/FlatTrail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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On our way out, we saw a LOT of people hiking in. One group looked straight off the beach: swimsuits, flipflops, and one case of bare feet. I wonder if she put her shoes on eventually?<br />
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We found an easy way to cross the creek, and had another little break. We love our rest stops!<br />
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Lots of downed trees.<br />
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Despite my best efforts at editing this photo, I still look like I have a giant, drooping mustache. Fiddle!<br />
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I had a bit of panting on the way out from the elevation, I guess. So we took more stops! No shade is safe from the Hiking (Resting?) Yoginis!<br />
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We were not done with Tahoe, once back to the car, and checked out the parking lot above Vikingsholm, but it was absolutely full. Jam packed to the gills.<br />
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So we drove on a ways, found a nice beach, Baldwin Beach, and ate lunch at a nicely located picnic table. I waded in Lake Tahoe for a few seconds. At least as cold as Lake Superior in August!<br />
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The End.<br />
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-81958069726743383342015-06-03T13:36:00.000-07:002015-06-03T13:39:06.959-07:00Pyramid Creek, Eldorado National Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoiIKGeESMQ/VW9jhW4iLCI/AAAAAAAADO8/JhVsay7wZA8/s1600/PyramidCreek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoiIKGeESMQ/VW9jhW4iLCI/AAAAAAAADO8/JhVsay7wZA8/s400/PyramidCreek.JPG" width="300" /></a>The Hiking Yoginis (our new name for the women from yoga class who hike together) and I went up US50 to Twin Bridges to poke around Pyramid Creek.<br />
(I googled Hiking Yoginis, and without the plural, it is an existing blog. Oh well. Too good to be original.)<br />
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You know, I already wrote this blog post, but the Blogger App ate it and won't give it back. Really frustrated.<br />
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Anyway, there was one other car in the lot when we got there, and many more when we returned. We only went a little over a mile, but some of us (me!!!) were tired from Monday's 6 mile hike.<br />
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Pyramid Creek, as advertised, had many little cataracts to ogle. So we sat and ogled.<br />
And flowers. More ogling.<br />
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This hike had the fewest trail ducts I've ever seen. But made up for by little brown signs way up on the trees.<br />
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We got up on the granite slabs far enough to get a view of Horsetail Falls, but decided to save that hike for another day.<br />
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After our hike, we hogged the only picnic table at the parking lot, ate tasty food, and planned the next hike: Lake Winnemucca from Carson Pass later this month. YAY.<br />
Two of the Yoginis will goof around on the El Dorado trail in the meantime.<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-59112918930441379642015-06-01T21:40:00.001-07:002015-06-01T21:40:23.023-07:00Twofer postI took a nice 3 mile recovery hike on Thursday. Yes, the day after the big downhill from Loch Leven Lakes.<br />
It was another hike around Ancil C. Hoffman park with the Turtle Trekkers. This visit, unlike my first hike with this Meetup group, was at a pleasingly brisk pace. The group had a lovely botanical discussion as we swung along the trail.<br />
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We also enjoyed watching the swallows along the river.<br />
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Then, today, I went on an equally brisk, but twice as long, hike with my yoga buddies along the south shore of Lake Natoma in Folsom.<br />
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My hip flexors are tired now, but I'm looking forward to ANOTHER hike in two days, in the Eldorado Nat'l Forest.<br />
I'll either be fit for more hiking at the height of summer or crippled. Time will tell.<br />
<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-42604778499037549722015-05-27T19:07:00.001-07:002015-05-27T22:01:54.775-07:00Loch Leven Lakes Trail, Middle LL Lake, Tahoe Nat'l Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Meetup organized trip was a 2.8 mile trek up (and I mean UP) to Middle Loch Leven Lake on the Loch Leven Lakes trail.<br />
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We took lots of breaks on the way up, as one hiker tended to overheat quickly. I didn't mind the breaks, not at all.<br />
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Since I had the chance to take pictures!<br />
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There is an easier way into the lakes, via Huysink lake trail, but we opted for the 1000 foot climb over rocks large and small and downed trees.<br />
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The group decided to stop at the middle lake, as we'd been hiking for about 2.5 hours and lunch and sitting looked mighty appealing.<br />
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I used my hammock set up (of course)<br />
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I did very well with food, using a pot cozy (which can also double as an alien-deterring fetching foil fez) and walking out with very little food left over.<br />
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My gear list is at the end of this post. I carried 17.5 pounds before food and water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, Me, Murray, Laura</td></tr>
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Well worth the climb. I'm proud of myself for making it down the next morning (there were times when I was not too sure I would).<br />
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<br />
<b>Pack</b><br />
G4 - DIY<br />
compacter bag liner<br />
snack bag - DIY<br />
bottle holder - on strap<br />
mesh potty bag<br />
Ursack and 2 liners<br />
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<b>Sleep</b><br />
MacCat Deluxe tarp<br />
Groundhog stakes, ridgeline, spare line, Dutch clips<br />
Warbonnet Blackbird hammock<br />
hammock sock - DIY<br />
Crowsnest underquilt by Hammock Gear<br />
Shenandoah top quilt by Jacks R Better<br />
Prolite extra small sleep pad<br />
Visqueen - scrap of plastic nearly 40 years old.<br />
Nite Ize lightup zipper pulls<br />
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<b>Clothes</b><br />
Revelcloud jacket<br />
windshirt - DIY<br />
rain chaps<br />
Packa - combo pack cover and rain jacket (no rain, actually)<br />
Marmot wrist warmers<br />
Navy surplus wool watch cap<br />
Smartwool hikers socks<br />
lycra exercise shorts <br />
midweight longjohns - Ibex wool<br />
spare panties<br />
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<b>Clothes</b> (worn in and out)<br />
wicking short sleeved shirt<br />
Mountain Hardwear kilt, Lycra shorts<br />
Inov8 Roclite 295 trail runnners<br />
Injinji toe socks<br />
Dirty Girl gaiters<br />
Tilley w/ DIY bug net on crown<br />
Pearl Izumi arm coolers<br />
panties<br />
Moving Comfort Fiona sports bra<br />
thin glove liners - REI, finger tips cut off. Sun protection for hands.<br />
Black Diamond trekking poles (my Gossamer Gear poles are in for repair)<br />
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<b>Water </b><br />
1st Need filter<br />
Outdoor Research folding bucket<br />
Camelbak Eddy bottle, 25oz<br />
Nalgene soft bottle<br />
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<b>Cooking</b><br />
Firelite Ti stove, windscreen, paperclip<br />
Esbit tabs - brought 2, used only one<br />
BIC and matches<br />
Pot from esbit kit<br />
bowl cozy - DIY<br />
fire permit<br />
REI plastic soup spoon<br />
Ziploc screwtop plastic bowl<br />
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<b>Hygiene </b><br />
Neutrogena baby sunscreen stick<br />
SPF 20 lip balm<br />
first aid kit<br />
dropper bottle of soap<br />
toilet paper<br />
Wisp tooth brush<br />
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<b>Tools</b><br />
map and compass<br />
pocket knife<br />
Petzel E light<br />
potty trowel (snowstake)<br />
cotton bandana<br />
Dutchware plastic utility hook<br />
ID in fabric pouch<br />
paperback<br />
Canon point and shoot camera<br />
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<b>Food </b>1lb 9½oz total<br />
2613 calories total<br />
We decided to walk out after breakfast so one sandwich and one bag of Fritos came out along with an uneaten Tanka bar.<br />
2 lunch, 1 bkfst, 1 dinner, 2 snacks<br />
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2 Almond butter and jam sandwiches - 450cal<br />
Umpqua oatmeal in ziploc - 273cal<br />
Mary Jane meal - 580cal (2 servings)<br />
2 snack bags of Fritos -160cal each<br />
2 Kind bars - 200cal each<br />
2 Tanka bars - 70cal eachLizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-50215115836530686772015-03-21T19:04:00.001-07:002015-03-21T19:04:51.719-07:00Effie YeawThursday, March 19th<br />
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I ventured out today to a new (to me) location with a new (to me) meetup group.<br />
CG and I instantly bonded. CG is about my age and is also looking to hike more. We tentatively planned a trip to Monte Vista trailhead in Folsom Lake SRA. She and I live kind of in the same area.<br />
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Anyway, the hike was advertised as 3 miles, at about a 3 mph pace. It was not - mostly because the actual leader had car problems so handed it off to someone else. CG and I took off at our own pace, which turned out to be 2.7mph, and cruised around the golf course adjacent to the Effie Yeaw nature center.<br />
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It was the perfect hike after last weekend's backpacking trip.<br />
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I look forward to more hikes!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-62773123972821945972015-03-16T09:34:00.000-07:002015-03-16T09:34:22.722-07:00McClure Trail, Lassen National Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyU8RUAu365qQj3SQWfK3HVwLq-JKPJrrcyNbwR6eF7ZuiB1ay9kQ7b7EPQMthDd9Xf2IYRMyLMfAaMIBkNK3PDkdPaQjCcM_b3yZMmjZwH8vDSyGvaJYq4I85uzM8KGeNyuCVVYgTCM/s1600/AntelopeCreekMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyU8RUAu365qQj3SQWfK3HVwLq-JKPJrrcyNbwR6eF7ZuiB1ay9kQ7b7EPQMthDd9Xf2IYRMyLMfAaMIBkNK3PDkdPaQjCcM_b3yZMmjZwH8vDSyGvaJYq4I85uzM8KGeNyuCVVYgTCM/s1600/AntelopeCreekMap.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a>A simple overnight in Lassen National Forest: McClure trail from the High Trestle trailhead, then to the north fork of Antelope Creek. High 70, low 40. 2000 feet above sea level.<br />
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Everybody was set up and loafing or hiking/exploring by 1:30pm. I found a short but pleasant place to hang my backpacking hammock between two trees, probably just properly far enough from the North Fork Antelope Creek in the green, but dryish Lassen National Forest.<br />
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The trip down to our camping spot is down from the trailhead to McClure Place, a long defunct farm still decorated with one rusting horse drawn gadget. Then into the abyss, a 200ft descent down to Antelope Creek, across a series of benches separated by steep, short descents. Total elevation lost about 800 feet over 3 miles.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iHoVXimQE4/VQcFcp3q2kI/AAAAAAAADDk/IfAOKKuiTuw/s1600/HIllside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iHoVXimQE4/VQcFcp3q2kI/AAAAAAAADDk/IfAOKKuiTuw/s1600/HIllside.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
We had a variety of packs and shelters in our group. Small conventional one man tents, a single wall tent, another hammock(!). A Gossamer Gear pack, several generic REI packs. Our hammock setups generated interest (2 hammockers in a group generate more than twice the interest as one.)<br />
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The other hammocker stopped at the second to the last bench, I continued on, hoping for an equally nice pair of trees.<br />
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We were a little bit downstream of the camping spot from a few years ago. More open, less poison oak to avoid. I was still on a slope. I'm always on a slope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxFoRlzUqTbAnDfBtKMXMxs9Mz9Dy04fcr-31QK4dgB38lXCWjAy0vo7etyPhh6FIYmpNi4yv4RA0J0QDI8xtC92aHSp6GvNQ2p0PrXnwSj5jrGAKA1u-GAZoC_FkF8dS7U5PQJhwpPY/s1600/Group1Joan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxFoRlzUqTbAnDfBtKMXMxs9Mz9Dy04fcr-31QK4dgB38lXCWjAy0vo7etyPhh6FIYmpNi4yv4RA0J0QDI8xtC92aHSp6GvNQ2p0PrXnwSj5jrGAKA1u-GAZoC_FkF8dS7U5PQJhwpPY/s1600/Group1Joan.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sixth person is taking the picture</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-goF5UNVcg/VQbR_RCYiZI/AAAAAAAADCk/kSZjgw7H62o/s1600/McClureJoan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-goF5UNVcg/VQbR_RCYiZI/AAAAAAAADCk/kSZjgw7H62o/s1600/McClureJoan.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a>This was a Meetup organized trip, originally full up at 12, the final body count was 6. The weather looked and felt like rain, and there were a few tiny droplets as we were setting up. Mid 60s and humid (for Northern California). No real rain developed.<br />
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The hike out was all uphill but not too bad because there was a nice breeze blowing through the canyon, and the sun was not too high in the sky. The drive home was 3 hours.<br />
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When I got home I decided to make backpacker soup and wash all my gear in a solution of Tecnu in a big tub. If I show poison oak by Thursday, then I will wash my down quilts and my hammock.<br />
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However, I don't want to wash them unless I absolutely have to. The contamination will come from the soles of my shoes and the tips of the poles as there was some poison oak on as well as beside the trail.<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-6561159253985818022015-02-16T12:17:00.001-08:002015-02-16T12:17:28.063-08:00Cronan Ranch: Ranch Rd & East Ridge trails<p dir="ltr">Hiked with a couple of yoga people today, the second of our every other Monday hikes. We spent a lot of time talking about managing our husbands, then an equal amount planning future Monday hikes. We can't wait to get to the Sierras this summer!<br>
Then we supported our local bakery. Yep. That's what it's all about, bakery support!</p>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-85241139421912785622015-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:002015-02-02T15:40:36.853-08:00West Ridge Trail, Cronan RanchFinally, finally got out on my own two feet instead of on three wheels (my recumbent trike).<br />
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The Ladies who Yoga persuaded me to go on a short hike (4 miles or so). Which was the perfect length for three ladies who've been off the trails for a while.<br />
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I'd also like to apologize for the missing images in older posts - I'm having the same trouble in all four of my blogs and it is darn frustrating!<br />
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Anyway - it was about 40 degrees at 8:30 and the perfect temperature (in my opinion) for a short sleeved shirt and a hiking skirt. Yeah, I was cold for a little while, but when I warmed up I didn't have to carry around a discarded fleece. Worth a few minutes of cold fingers.<br />
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We there walked and chatted and huffed and puffed a little and admired the views and had a grand time.<br />
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Cronan Ranch Road to West Ridge Trail, then West Ravine Trail back to the Ranch Road.<br />
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Then to Sierra Rizing for coffee/tea/pastries! Yum!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-3421205147946715682014-05-20T23:08:00.000-07:002014-05-20T23:08:50.772-07:00Up and Down Trail, Cronan Ranch, May 201420 May 2014<br />
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A nice 4.5 mile walk with flowers and a little tiny bit of rain. I'll just post a bunch of photos instead of blathering on and on.<br />
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Here we go!<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-743680229103586892014-05-02T10:21:00.000-07:002014-05-02T10:21:02.842-07:00Magnolia Ranch, Highway 49, Pilot HIll, CaliforniaMay Day, 2014<br />
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I had intended to go out to Cronan Ranch (adjacent to Magnolia, also administered by the BLM/American River Conservancy) but the gate was still locked after the last two days of star thistle abatement spraying. I guess 6:30am is too early.<br />
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Magnolia Ranch, shadier, is better for flowers.<br />
I tried some flower pictures with my cellphone. One good, one bad.<br />
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So I ended up walking through lots of tall damp grass, dressed for clear dry trails. And - I got my very first tick. All the years hiking out here and in Michigan, and my first tick. I pulled the sucker out when I got to the car. I'll keep an eye on my ankle for the telltale rash of Lyme's.<br />
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I'll be picking up some of the spray Permethrin solution for shoes, gaiters, socks, and pants legs. And a tick spoon, as tweezers work fine on other people and dogs, but not so great on my nearsighted self. My ankle, despite years of yoga, is still very far away from my eyes.<br />
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The river was lovely.<br />
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Magnolia Ranch is a better choice than Cronan Ranch if your goal is to see the river quickly and easily. There were a whole fleet of gold prospecters in the parking lot when I returned. We chatted about rattlesnakes and other interesting things. I wished them luck.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-82392768829324005512014-04-25T10:40:00.001-07:002014-04-25T10:47:41.291-07:00Eagle Lakes trailhead to Fordyce Creek, Tahoe Nat'l Forest. Overnight.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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April 23-24<br />
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First backpacking trip of the year!<br />
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Organized through a local Meetup group, our group of six met at the Eagle Lakes trailhead at 9:30 on Wednesday morning. It was good to see my friend Laura, the trip organizer, again.<br />
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I had hiked this very trail with her 5 years ago and this go-around was a
lot easier, with a lighter load on my back and on my body. Two couples,
one retired, and one not, were the other four merry hikers, with a
charming Airedale terrier thrown in for cuteness. <br />
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It was 40 degrees at the trailhead. It did not freeze at night, as far as I could tell.<br />
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The first section of our hike is on (legal) off road vehicle trails. On a weekday, it was very quiet, but we did see a handful of 4WD heading for Driveline Hill. One of the drivers was happy to explain what they were doing. The black truck in the background made it up with only one or two false moves.<br />
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Then we crossed a beaver dam and left the drivers to their fun, crossing
Fordyce Creek on a bridge just before arriving at our campsite. I think
our hike was about 4 miles.<br />
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We had a lovely campsite among pines very near a wide gravel beach on Fordyce Creek. Campfire, marshmallows, tall tales. The usual.<br />
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The next morning felt warmer than the night before. We hiked out after breakfast. I was home by 2pm. So it was a well-spent 30 and 1/2 hours (including driving time).<br />
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Random gear photos<br />
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<br />Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-81316995309484437622014-04-14T13:53:00.002-07:002014-04-14T13:53:46.843-07:00Hidden Valley Cutoff, Cronan Ranch Regional Park, Pilot Hill, CaliforniaWent out with two others of the Four Yoginis to hike Cronan Ranch this morning. (The fourth is an honorary Yogini since she came along <a href="http://twosorefeet.blogspot.com/2013/08/shealor-lakes-eldorado-national-forest.html" target="_blank">last year on another yoga-class-organized hike</a>).<br />
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It was nice and cool when we set out, but rather warm galloping up the hills back to the trailhead. Galloping, at least, compared to my usual dawdling pace.<br />
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We took the ranch road as far as the kiosk, then turned left onto the Up and Down trail, then staying to the right twice to catch Hidden Valley Cutoff. Eventually, we hooked up again with U&D, to get down to the river proper.<br />
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4.1 miles per my Strava app, and a moving pace of a 20 minute mile average - just right!<br />
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Lots of flowers today, only one of which I managed to capture: one of the famous Yellow Flowers.<br />
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Great views of the green hillsides, some grayed over with invasive thistle plants.<br />
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One annoying landscape blight in the distance (taken with my little Canon point and shoot at max zoom) but we soon hiked to where we didn't notice it so much.<br />
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Some wildlife signs (turkey, here).</div>
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And some more pretty pictures to finish it off.</div>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816496652307493706.post-25407579120386523622014-04-08T14:11:00.001-07:002014-04-08T14:11:41.508-07:00West Ridge again, with a pack!I boogied over to Cronan Ranch Regional Trails park just before dawn, to beat the heat, give the doggo a little trail time, and to see how my homemade backpack carried. It carried well!<br />
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I made a version of the G4 pack, shortening the body and removing the bulge on the bottom half of the pack. It is about 38 litres capacity, not including the top collar and the three outside pockets. It holds my stuff nicely, with room for more than one day's food if I so desire.<br />
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My baseweight (the pack and contents minus consumables like food, water, and fuel) is a lovely and light 13 pounds. That's half what I used to carry 10 years ago. This will keep me comfortable, warm, and dry down to about 30 degrees F at night. I'm so excited!<br />
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I promise I'll get out somewhere other than West Ridge Trail real soon now.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333632488211058032noreply@blogger.com0