Practice blog.

Dry Run

We took a dry run with our backpacks up Bronson Canyon this evening. I added some canned food and a ten pound barbell to get a realistic weight. We don't have our food yet. We hiked for about an our. It went well. Lots of adjusting of straps and belts and whatnot. I'm sure there will be more of that. Brian just asked me to make sure to mention that his pack was 50 pounds. Mine was 39. He had the tent and stove and other stuff. We'll distribute it more evenly on the trip. Eating chicken and chickpeas with Brian now.

Another post from Frank

Brian's doing a lot of great work searching out food options.  Although I don't see a dozen glazed donuts on the list. My main task to date has been to get into shape.  I like the idea of doing a practice hike with our packs.  The deaths in Yosemite this week were sad.  Three people went over Vernal Falls.  Then again, they ignored posted warning signs and pleas from fellow hikers to stay out of the water.  Is anybody reading this blog. We have not really told anybody about it.

Trip 15 days away.

I'm anxious for the trip. I feel there is much still to prepare. Frank suggested we do a hike with the packs before we go. I think that's a good idea. Then I can get a feel for the pack on my back. I'm working on the menu for the trip still. Frank and I sat down a couple days ago and went over some ideas. I see at Trader Joe's they have vacuum packed steamed white or brown rice. That sounds easy. I'm looking for protein options. Tuna fish in the packs sound good and cheese seems to be a big option. There is a cheese that is not in the cold section that I also saw at Trader Joe's.

Here is a pic from last year. Near the falls on the Mist Trail, where the 3 people last Sunday went over the falls to there death. Crazy!!!

Last year (2010) Frank and I traveled to Yosemite. We had an amazing trip. I booked most of the accommodations withing 1-2 months in advance. We stayed 1 night at the Wawona Lodge, 2 nights at Evergreen Lodge in a pre-assembled tent, 2 nights at Curry Village in a tent cabin and 1 night in Tuolumne Lodge Tent Cabin. The trip was amazing. The tent cabin in Tuolumne had a wood burning stove which we got stoked early in the night. We made the arrangement at Tuolumne while we were at Curry Village, so we got lucky with availability!!

This year we are back packing the John Muir trail. We do not have a wilderness permit, however the following links states they reserve 40% of the permits for the day before. So we're going to push our luck and cross our fingers with a little prayer! Say a pryer for us, that we get a permit.
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm
Part of the trip we will be in Tuolumne Meadows. I am having a hard time getting accommodations for Tuolumne. I just got to campsites at Tuolumne Meadows Campground, the following is the site location.
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Tuolumne_Meadows/r/campgroundDetails.do?parkId=70926&contractCode=NRSO&chkAg=y

A few pics from the beginning of our trip last year

My First Post

I am excited about this trip. I have to keep telling myself that because part of me is a little nervous. This is a week on the trail with everything on my back. I have not done that since I was a teenager. So I've been trying to get into better shape - running and Bikram Yoga! I'm also thinking about a cortizone shot for my bum left shoulder before I leave. Brian and I began to get equipment a few weeks ago. We showed up at REI at 5 a.m. for their used equipment sale. 100 people were already in line ahead of us. The store lays out a bunch of returned and used equipment and allows 25 people in at a time starting at 7 a.m. You have 15 minutes to get what you want. Its crazy. Brian performed well under the pressure - grabbing two great used backpacks, two sleeping bags and a tent. I think I grabbed a pair of sunglasses. So I can see the bears better.

Yosemite trip planned for Aug 7-19, 2011

First entry after creating the blog.
Frank and I are going to Yosemite National Park in Central California. We are planning a 7 day backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail. I thought it would be fun to share our preparations and processes before, during and after the trekking vacation. Today we're 24 days away from the departure from Los Angeles.