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Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:45 pm
by hikerduane
Dave, my neighbor called a little bit ago, I work out of town, so with the snow camping over the weekend, I did not make it home. She said we received 3' or more, on top of the week befores 22". We're buried too. Plus, our snow plowman injured himself, so our private road did not get plowed all the way thru. We're scrambling for help.

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 2:23 pm
by Hikin Mike
I'm starting to realize that backpacking, for me, is a thing of the past. I haven't given up (yet) on backpacking, but since I can't bend my knees, it's going to be tough. Last season I hiked up to May Lake with my wife and youngest daughter. It took me a few hours up and another couple hours to get back....but I did it. Adding a backpack....not sure if I have the time to get to the places that I used to do.

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:56 pm
by robbrandt
I like studying maps before hikes. Especially the old USGS maps because they contain historical information like old structures, marked with a black square. Qualls Camp is one of those on a hike I did this week. Prior to the hike I googled a lot of these places trying to find if they were worth a visit. One of the few things I found on it was this post, and it didn't sound promising because you didn't mention any structures. I went anyway. Glad I did. Here is Qualls Camp:

Image

2nd structure completely collapsed:
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Nice BBQ:

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Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:14 pm
by bobby49
A related activity is to follow some of the old wagon trails that were constructed 1845-1855 for the settlers and miners who wanted to get to California. In some places, there is now a paved highway that parallels the wagon trail, so you can go in and look for the trail without having to hike a million miles. My favorite is the Great Sierra Wagon Road which has now become the Tioga Road.

Also, go read John Muir's account of his first summer in the Sierra when he worked to herd sheep across what we now call Yosemite. After reading it, you can go to a map and start to pick out the sheep route. I found where (I think) the sheep crossed Yosemite Creek.

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:01 pm
by dave54
Taking your final breath watching a sunset with a fishing pole in your hand, from your camp next to remote mountain lake...

Is there a better way to end it?

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:31 pm
by rlown
I'm good with that ending!

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 12:10 pm
by paula53
Have you thought about canoe camping and fishing? A canoe can be carried on a canoe cart, with your light weight camping gear. It could open up new areas to explore while getting your dose of physical fitness in. Most well built canoes for solo use can weigh 40 pounds or less.

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 6:14 pm
by dave54
After a long and happy life as an active outdoor couple and healthy eating and exercise, the 90 year old man and wife met St. Peter at the ivory gates. St. Peter said “Let me show you around. Here is our base camp. The weather is ideal every day. You will note it is at the edge of a flower filled meadow, and songbirds and wildlife entertain you all day long. Beautiful sunsets every night and then the skies are filled with stars. Every two weeks the views change and become another one of the great National Parks of the world. There are no mosquitoes. We sent them below to the other place.” “Wow” the man said. “How do we get reservations, and how long can we stay?” “Stay as long as you want, there is always a campsite available. This is heaven.”
St Peter continued. “Here is our network of hiking trails. The trails are always in perfect shape, and lead to the most wonderful backcountry areas. The terrain changes monthly to the great Wilderness Areas of the world. You will never tire. You will always have the full vigor and stamina of your youth.”
The man asked “How do we get permits?” St. Peter replied “This is heaven, you never need permits. There are no trail quotas or limits.” Peter continued “Here is one of our mountain streams. Fly fish all day long. The fish will always be easy to catch, and there are no limits or seasons. This is heaven.”
Then Peter showed them the local bar and grill. “Here is where you can eat if you tire of camp food. All the burgers, pizza, wings, beer, and spirits you want. Eat all the fried greasy food without any concern for your health or digestion. This is heaven.” His lips starting to quiver, the man asked “No low fat or gluten free items on the menu?” “No, not needed. You stay healthy no matter what you eat or don’t exercise. Now over here is our canoe trail, and the mountain bike trail…” Suddenly the man took off his hat, screaming. Stomping on his hat he kept yelling “No! No! It is not fair! This is all your fault!” He turned to his wife and yelled “If it wasn’t for your damn yoga and quinoa bran muffins, I could have been here twenty years ago!”

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:10 pm
by balzaccom
nice! Thanks for the chuckle

Re: No more backpacking! What next?

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2020 11:33 am
by wsp_scott
I sort of joke that my end of life plan is a large bottle of bourbon -> hypothermia -> die peacefully -> hopefully bear food -> bear ****

I know I'm around good people when a bunch of others are thinking along the same lines :)