ET's Info-Stew

After a few days back from the trip, it's time for some reflection.

I didn't write near as much in my log as usual. I'm usually writing about all the mundane things, like food, reading, swimming, etc. just to fill pages. I decided to leave these details out and the result is less writing that is more informational. One consequence of this is that I didn't write interesting log entries for the last two days. True, these days not much happened, but I should have written something.

I got about as good of sleep as I can expect last night. I put my pack under my sleeping pad to give my knees a place to rest while lying on my back. The extra available sleeping position meant my body could stay in positions longer, so I woke up to move fewer times.

18:01 - The plan today was to go to Cinder Cone. It is about 8 miles round trip to the cone from our camp spot, though it's not clear if that includes the hike up.

Most of the trial approaching Cinder Cone was gradually downhill, so I kicked up the pace a bit. The part of the trail is largely coarse sand. Eventually, half a mile to the cone, the trees open up to a volcanic desert.

Near the base of the cone the trail forks, with the right fork heading to the top of Cinder Cone. You really start to feel how annoying it is to hike in sand while going up this first uphill.

15:19 - The first leg of the hike was fairly easy, though for someone in my shape...well let's just say I'm glad we stopped when we did. At around 6,600 feet, Lower Twin Lake has plenty of shade provided by pine trees. The trail to here is about 4.5 miles and the trail head is about the same elevation. The first part is uphill about 600 feet, summiting near an excellent view of Lassen Peak, then downhill in stages until you reach Upper Twin Lake.

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

Tomorrow I'm waking up before the crack of dawn to go to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where Carl, Bill, and I will be taking a three night backpacking trip. This trip I'm being slightly more liberal with what I take. I have a bit more food and I'm bringing my Rubik's cube in case I get bored. I'm leaving at home my rain clothes, because I somehow misplaced the rain jacket. I'm taking a poncho though, just in case. Inspired by Bear Grylles, I'm taking a heavier knife and some flint, in the nearly zero percent chance I need them for survival.

Maintaining gear is a lot of the fun in backpacking. It is really one of the only parts of backpacking that you can enjoy during the off-season. I have gone through three stages of gear: kitchen sink, ultralight, maximum comfort.

In 2007 we have only one trip planned. It is a three-nighter in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is the same trip we wanted to do in 2005, and this year the snow level will not be a problem. The trip is tentatively planned for July 21st through 24th.

My first backpacking trip was in 1997 to Buck Island in Desolation Wilderness with Jenny (my girlfriend at the time) and her dad, Bill. I've enjoyed backpacking ever since even though Jenny doesn't go with us any more. After my second trip (to Rockbound Lake in Desolation Wilderness, 1999) I had learned enough to start making changes to my gear. I was no longer interested in carrying a 55 pound backpack. I also started to keep a trail journal.

15:47: I got up at about 7:15 after a good night of sleep. I started packing up right away and was ready at about 8:45. We took off at 9:20 and made it to the trailhead at 10:30. On the way I stopped to look for the cache, but didn't find it again.

It was a wonderful trip of just the right length. I learned the value of good mosquito repellent. I had fun experimenting with photography on my day hikes. I enjoyed using my binoculars, especially at night, which was gorgeous because of a waning moon.