ET's Info-Stew

In July of 2007 I took my first trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park. We had been planning such a trip for years, but we were always delayed for one reason or another (one year heavy snow, another year a huge fire). I took a lot more food than normal, but my pack was still light. With full water loaded up it was still less that 30 pounds for three nights. I was thankful for the lighter load because I still wasn't in shape for the hike. Carl was worse off because he was carrying 45 pounds. For the first time in history, Bill wasn't carrying the heaviest pack, having purchased a whole bunch of new gear.

My biggest worry was sleep, and sure enough I slept as poor as I always did on the first night. Fortunately I started sleeping better then next couple nights when I placed my pack "hamburger-wise" underneath my sleeping pad to support my knees. What a difference! The highlight of the trip, which was also the most difficult, was my long day hike to the top of the Cinder Cone. Writing this nearly a week later my body has all but recovered, and so I can say that it was very rewarding.

Click on a picture to go to the gallery for this trip