Notes from 2006's First Backpack Trip

I learned a few things from my January 1st backpack trip.

That January backpacking can be challenging even when the landscape is mostly snow free. The weather the first night and part of the 2nd day was extremely windy, with gusts of over 30 mph. Combine that with the cold, and I was awful glad for the protection of my small backpack tent. That thing is a marvel. I have never seen a wind that while dent it, and it only ways barely four pounds. It is an old Coleman peak1, that I picked up five years ago. I found it on clearance, and as is my nature, I bought three, because of the good price. Not one of them has wore out year, despite the heavy use I give them. It was one of the best purchases I ever made.

I probably need counseling because of the way I spend when I see a bargain. The worst was when I found 90% wool hiking socks on sale for less than 3 dollars at campmor.com. I bought about twenty pairs, and when they arrived and I saw how thick and well made they were, I bought 60 more. That's right, I bought 80 pairs of wool socks. It may seem excessive, like I am nuts or something, but those socks are incredible. Again, one of the best purchases I ever made. After three years I have about 4 of them set aside to fix holes in. I dried one too close to the fire last year, and it burned, but I am probably still flush with wool socks for 15 or 20 years or so.

My snow goggles came in handy during that strong wind, and I felt pretty clever to have them alone. They protected my eyes from drying out and from flying snow and dirt, which made the day enjoyable in spite of the bad weather.

I crossed a creek on the ice, and climbed a steep ridge up to some gorgeous rock formations. There were two level spots to set up my tent. I returned to the creek with a flexible rubber bucket, and hauled the water up the slope to my camp. With the water and all my gear, I was good for a couple of days of exploring those cliffs, admiring the view, and enjoying the company of my border collies. Since the nights were so long I brought along some books to read, and some paper to write some journal entries on. I also had along an mp3 player to listen to music while I was in the tent during those 13 hour nights.

The trick to staying warm during winter backpacking is to bring along two sleeping bags. I put my two pound summer back inside my heavier winter bag, and was just as cozy as if I was sleeping in my room back home.

In the morning I made a fire, and sat next to it with my dog Ben watching the stars fade away into dawn.

Solitude is underated today. Being up there alone made me appreciate again how beautiful Colorado is. I felt awful good that I took the time to get up there and see it again with my own eyes. It makes me a stronger and more authentic person, one that has more to offer when I am back home, ready to be around people.

I learned just where and when Orion's belt would come up, and how high it will climb before dawn in early January. I also learned again what real silence is like, and the spirituality of standing alone on a mountainside as the sun rises down below.

I hope my life never gets so complicated that I cannot go out to experience those kind of things, alone. I don't think it will.