Obscure Route Planning

[mokelumnekid]

quentinc:

Interesting post regarding Secor- smoker, really? Did not know that. And a ranger? This story needs telling over at the campfire, or someplace....Not to take anything away from RJ- just fleshing out the picture.

[quentinc]

R.J. is a campfire story goldmine, but I do have to temper myself after his horrific accident.

[East Side Hiker]

Its good to see there are lots of ideas being exchanged and plans being formulated. I can feel the excitement of the coming summer trips building.

[Cross Country]

Rogue: " I'd plan for no more than 5 miles a day for any major cross country this year. Since I had not done allot of it before this last summer I did not know what to expect on an average day which led to bad planning. This year I would plan extremely conservative and maybe even pack an extra day or two of food just in case."

Rogue, here is something you might consider: When traveling cross country (it IS my moniker) find, look for, or arrive at a place you like and stop there. Plan for places where you can catch dinner or has an interesting peak to climb or a nearby basin to explore (I always chose the former, but each to his own). This really heightens the exploring aspect of you adventure. Grouse and Kid Lakes are your good examples. Too bad you didn't explore the Kid Lakes North Forks basin. You could have explored it in very few hours (there are no fish there). I believe you are ready for the next step in your backpacking evolution and that is Cross Country Exploration. For me it was the ultimate set of experiences (I didn't like climbing peaks).
I never saw cross country travel in terms of miles, just in terms of (great) places.