During our last trip, the hip belt clip to Lincoln's pack broke, pretty much leaving him up the creak until the end of the trip. He was able to engineer a temporary solution (tying a knot), but it got me thinking about bringing along backups clips for my pack.
I have a GoLite Odyssey backpack and when I sent a general request through their website, I was surprised to receive a prompt response from an actual human. It was a product manager out of Boulder Colorado who asked for a photo of the exact piece I wanted, and after emailing a photo of the clip, she promptly sent me the part, no charge, no worries.
Given the quality I've seen from my GoLite so far, I'm not expecting the clip to break, but it's nice to know I have a backup if it does.
What other gear would you consider "backups" for in case of failure?
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
2012 Backpack Trip - Destination Nominations
Looking through photos of the 2011 trip has refreshed our energy and interest in looking for next year's destination. We can use this post as the location for location nominations.
Nominations
Nominations
- Bridger (Wind River Range) Wilderness
- Absoroka-Beartooth Mountains
- Gospel Hump Loop (Idaho)
- Jemez Mountains (New Mexico)
- This one is really unique but would require research to find a suitable loop/route.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
2011 Backpack Trip - White Cloud Mountains
Spencer, Lincoln and I spent eight days backpacking the White Cloud mountains, southeast of Stanley, Idaho. I left Seattle on 8/26 (Fri) arriving in Stanley on the Saturday morning to get breakfast and purchase a fishing license for the trip. Below is scan of my map with our route traced out.
Here are excerpts from my daily journal of the trip.
[8/27, Saturday]
Made it to Stanley at 8:00am after sleeping a few hours on the side of the road (hwy 21). The fly shop opens up in an hour and I'll mosey on over after eating breakfast.
I have no idea where Spencer or Lincoln are at this point, but have planned to meet Lincoln at the trail head at 12:00.
...
Lincoln showed up at 12:00 on the dot. We packed up and made our way to Born Lakes, ~4 miles NE. We plan to wait there until Spencer comes in, probably tomorrow morning.
...
From here we can see the Devil's Staircase which looks daunting. We caught a lot of fish today, rainbow and cuttrhroat, all on an elkhair caddis. We set camp, ate dinner. Skies are clear and surprisingly warm.
[8/28, Sunday]
Spencer showed up at the upper Born lake at 12:00 and after taking a short rest and some fishing we headed up one of the chutes (not Devil's Staircase) to Four Lakes Basin. The climb was easier and quicker than originally thought.
[8/29, Monday]
Woke up at 7:00 after a windy, restless night. The wind would gust up through the threes sprinkling my tent fly with pine needles. I was up at 5:30 but didn't want to start a fire or go fish in the wind. At 7:00 I stoked the fire, brewed some coffee and by 7:30 Lincoln was up and we made our way over to the West-most lake (Emerald lake) and quickly began hooking into little rainbow trout.
...
10:30 we head back to camp, eat breakfast, and break camp to head down to Quiet lake. So far, this is the largest and deepest lake we've seen. It's sunny, warm and calm as we make our way down to a rock outcrop that overlooks the lake to eat lunch. Is it Monday? Yeah, I think it's Monday.
...
Up and over two passes today and several lakes. One extremely high pass with wind gusts that threaten to blow us off the mountain. From the saddle we sit and take in the view from both sides; to the south Quiet Lake, to the north Boulder Chain lakes. We shoulder our packs and make our way carefully down the steep switchbacks, across snow fields to the first lake (Scoop lake) and set up camp. Feet feel great and solid. The heavier boots really paid off during the boulder scrambles up the ridge. Other than the switchback trail down to Scoop lake, we've been going cross country and bushwacking. The real surprising thing is that we've probably only covered five miles, but have climbed and descended several thousand feet of elevation.
By my reckoning, here's a review of what we've done up to this point:
* Trailhead -- 8,800'
* Fourth of July lake -- 9,370'
* Pass over into Ants Basin -- 10,000'
* Camp #1 at Lower Born lakes -- 8,545'
* Day #2 over pass to Four Lakes Basin -- ~10,200'
* Camp #2 at Four Lakes Basin between Emeral lake and Rock lake -- 9,911'
* Day #3 hike down to Quiet Lake -- 9,400'
* over pass to Shallow lake -- 9,640'
* Over Windy Devil pass -- ~10,100'
* Camp #3 at Scoop lake -- '9650
[8/30, Tuesday]
Woke up at 7:00 this morning after an absolutely glorious night's sleep! No tossing, turning or the always-dreaded waking up at 3:00am to water the hedge. Bliss...
Started the fire and brewed a pot of coffee in a fire pit that looks a lot like a cabin hearth.
7:45, and the warm sun just peaked over the mountains and warming the lake. Fish are starting to rise and I have to answer.
...
Big day-trip hike today. We left campt at ~10:00 for Lonesome lake at 10,440', passing Headwall lake along the way, scrambling up boulder fields to a dried up cirque lake then across ridge line that dropped into Lonesome lake.
I was really hoping for trout here since it's a rare thing to see them so high. But unfortunately after several attempts with everything from dry flies, to nymphs, and leech patterns going deep, I concluded that the lake is dead. Bummer too because it was big, deep and clear.
...
On the way down we follwed the path of the waterfall whic hdrops about 700' to Headwall lake. Part way down the stream tunneled through a snow field and we could walk through it. We spent quite a while taking photos and marveling at the stream-cut ice cave. In a bush beside the stream Spencer found a tuft of Mountain Goat wool, which I kept and put in my journal.
...
Just before the sun sets, we decide to cast to trout rising close to shore. Tonight is sushi night. I catch two large trout, and Lincoln one. I gut and clean them, pealing off nice pink fillets. Sitting on the grassy bank of the lake, with sticky rice and wasabi, we eat sushi the way God intended.
...
Tomorrow we'll head down and out through the lower Boulder Chain lakes, then pick up a trail heading south to Castle lake. It should be a good hump day, minus the dramatic ups-and-downs.
[8/31, Wednesday]
Left camp #3 around 10:00 for Castle lake, passing down in elevation through Boulder Chain lakes, Hammuck, Lodgepole, Sliderock, Hourglass, Shelf, Willow, and Waterdog lakes. Out of the valley we turned southeast to Castle lake. Up and down in elevation through thick stands of evergreens. I just realized that this is the first time we've been on a groomed, dedicated trail since the start.
...
Merriam Peak on the right, but we missed the turnoff to hike up to Castle lake. There are a lot of unmarked and dead-end trails.
...
High up and almost directly across from Castle Peak we realize that we've missed the cutoff trail and decide to bushwack west to see if we can pick it up. Along the way I find a Boletes mushroom and take a spore print in my journal.
...
Instead of finding the trail, we find a hidden log cabin, which by the looks of it ws built by prospectors quite some time ago. The oldest graffiti we can find is dated 1964. We conclude that this is a "sign" and set up camp. After a light lunch, Spencer and I decide to go looking f or adventure and try to find the trail that leads up to Castle lake. Cutting northwest from the cabin we find a high waterfall coming down the sheer white granite. The water must be coming from the lake high up, so we start climbing. It's absolutely beautiful - Shambahla!
...
After ~1,000' of climbing and scrambling up moss covered boulders we find the lake in a bowl between two massive peaks; Castle on the south and Merriam on the north. The bowl we're in acts as a funnel for the high powered winds that rush down and circle around the lake and shoreline with such force that it's difficult to stand. Despite the sun, we huddle on the rocks next to the water and Spencer takes photos. Trout! I see them rising and cruising along the shoreline. Drats, and I didn't bring my fly rod. Back to the cabin.
...
That night someone brings up the bright idea of sleeping out under the stars (no tents). the stars are bright and amazingly clear. I stare for about 30 minutes before falling asleep. At 3:00a I wake up half frozen and sore. The warm night has turned frigged bloody cold. After two more hours I can't stand it any more and muster the determination to get out of my bag, and get dressed to stoke the fire and make coffee to stay warm and wait for the sun to rise. My hardshell jacket is crinkling with frost.
...
By 7:00a the sun has crested in the east and the air instantly starts to warm up. I'm still alive, joy...
[8/31, Thu?)
We hit the trail at 10:30a and it's an amzing switch back up and over Castle Divide. It's a 10,000' pass at the top of an alpine meadow. The trail winds and meanders in long lazy switchback loops, and I find it easy to loose myself in thought and walking rhythm. Spencer is about 100 yards ahead and Lincoln is almost to the top. Before I realize it, I'm at the top and mildly disappointed that it came to soon. Disappointment is quickly replaced with stunned amazement at the view from the divide. We're surrounded by jagged peaks, cliffs, chutes, valleys and far off mountain ranges. We sit, rest, and take pictures.
Lincoln heads down into Chamberlain Basin while Spencer and I linger to look at rocks and continue to take in the view, not wanting to leave.
...
Back down the other side we make our way through fragrant sage brush and numerous wildflowers that I can't identify. I see familiar blue ones shaped like vases and what I think are red bottlebrush. I've been lagging back from the others, slipping into a slower more relaxed pace, letting my thoughts wander.
...
To the west, on the steep slopes of grass and rocks, Spencer stops to point out three mountain goats feeding without a care. By 1:30p we've made it to the upper Chamberlain lake and set up camp along the far north shore. It's a great grassy flat meadow with large boulders and wild flowers. I find among the shrubs several wild mushrooms, which I think are Boletes, but of course without being 100% sure, I don't take the risk of being poisoned. I simply admire them as they are and take a spore print as a souvenir.
After setting up my tent and t aking a quick bath in he lake, I change clothes, put together my fly rod to see what's holding in the lake. I find a small, deep pocket of water among the boulders and sheltered by a over hanging shrub. I see a shadow in the pool and make my way to see if I can make him rise. He looks to be a pretty good size. I make two fake casts to calculate distance and get my line out, then place the elkhair caddis squarely in the middle with a perfect, healthy splat. One second... Two seconds... STRIKE! My rod bends more than I had expected, and there's a large trout at the end. He's understandably angry at my interrupting his lazy day of feeding and shakes his head violently with each jump out of the water. I play him easy, keeping the line tight then notice something. I yell over my shoulder, "Lincoln, get the camera!". It's a big Golden Trout, and I land him on the grassy bank to take a few quick photos before returning him to the lake. He was about 12-13 inches and caught in a lake at 9,482'. He made my day.
[9/3 Friday]
On Friday morning I'm up at 5:30a to make coffee and breakfast before the others stir. It was the best night's sleep I've had so far and woke well rested for the 10 mile hump out to the trailhead. We leave the Chamberlain lakes basin around 9:30a, then over the last big pass south (10,000') then down to ~8,800' before turning north again. On he way we passed several parties just starting their trips into the mountains. We've managed to avoid everyone until now. Passing along two unnamed lakes we make our way toward Washington lake, a cirque lake, then Fourth of July lake before descending down to the trailhead and parking lot.
...
At the parking lot, we shed our boots, sign the register then load up for our long drives back home.
This was one of our best trips ever. A big thanks to Spencer and Lincoln for their companionship, but especially the smoked salmon quesadillas and cheddar cheese.
Here are excerpts from my daily journal of the trip.
[8/27, Saturday]
Made it to Stanley at 8:00am after sleeping a few hours on the side of the road (hwy 21). The fly shop opens up in an hour and I'll mosey on over after eating breakfast.
I have no idea where Spencer or Lincoln are at this point, but have planned to meet Lincoln at the trail head at 12:00.
...
Lincoln showed up at 12:00 on the dot. We packed up and made our way to Born Lakes, ~4 miles NE. We plan to wait there until Spencer comes in, probably tomorrow morning.
...
From here we can see the Devil's Staircase which looks daunting. We caught a lot of fish today, rainbow and cuttrhroat, all on an elkhair caddis. We set camp, ate dinner. Skies are clear and surprisingly warm.
[8/28, Sunday]
Spencer showed up at the upper Born lake at 12:00 and after taking a short rest and some fishing we headed up one of the chutes (not Devil's Staircase) to Four Lakes Basin. The climb was easier and quicker than originally thought.
[8/29, Monday]
Woke up at 7:00 after a windy, restless night. The wind would gust up through the threes sprinkling my tent fly with pine needles. I was up at 5:30 but didn't want to start a fire or go fish in the wind. At 7:00 I stoked the fire, brewed some coffee and by 7:30 Lincoln was up and we made our way over to the West-most lake (Emerald lake) and quickly began hooking into little rainbow trout.
...
10:30 we head back to camp, eat breakfast, and break camp to head down to Quiet lake. So far, this is the largest and deepest lake we've seen. It's sunny, warm and calm as we make our way down to a rock outcrop that overlooks the lake to eat lunch. Is it Monday? Yeah, I think it's Monday.
...
Up and over two passes today and several lakes. One extremely high pass with wind gusts that threaten to blow us off the mountain. From the saddle we sit and take in the view from both sides; to the south Quiet Lake, to the north Boulder Chain lakes. We shoulder our packs and make our way carefully down the steep switchbacks, across snow fields to the first lake (Scoop lake) and set up camp. Feet feel great and solid. The heavier boots really paid off during the boulder scrambles up the ridge. Other than the switchback trail down to Scoop lake, we've been going cross country and bushwacking. The real surprising thing is that we've probably only covered five miles, but have climbed and descended several thousand feet of elevation.
By my reckoning, here's a review of what we've done up to this point:
* Trailhead -- 8,800'
* Fourth of July lake -- 9,370'
* Pass over into Ants Basin -- 10,000'
* Camp #1 at Lower Born lakes -- 8,545'
* Day #2 over pass to Four Lakes Basin -- ~10,200'
* Camp #2 at Four Lakes Basin between Emeral lake and Rock lake -- 9,911'
* Day #3 hike down to Quiet Lake -- 9,400'
* over pass to Shallow lake -- 9,640'
* Over Windy Devil pass -- ~10,100'
* Camp #3 at Scoop lake -- '9650
[8/30, Tuesday]
Woke up at 7:00 this morning after an absolutely glorious night's sleep! No tossing, turning or the always-dreaded waking up at 3:00am to water the hedge. Bliss...
Started the fire and brewed a pot of coffee in a fire pit that looks a lot like a cabin hearth.
7:45, and the warm sun just peaked over the mountains and warming the lake. Fish are starting to rise and I have to answer.
...
Big day-trip hike today. We left campt at ~10:00 for Lonesome lake at 10,440', passing Headwall lake along the way, scrambling up boulder fields to a dried up cirque lake then across ridge line that dropped into Lonesome lake.
I was really hoping for trout here since it's a rare thing to see them so high. But unfortunately after several attempts with everything from dry flies, to nymphs, and leech patterns going deep, I concluded that the lake is dead. Bummer too because it was big, deep and clear.
...
On the way down we follwed the path of the waterfall whic hdrops about 700' to Headwall lake. Part way down the stream tunneled through a snow field and we could walk through it. We spent quite a while taking photos and marveling at the stream-cut ice cave. In a bush beside the stream Spencer found a tuft of Mountain Goat wool, which I kept and put in my journal.
...
Just before the sun sets, we decide to cast to trout rising close to shore. Tonight is sushi night. I catch two large trout, and Lincoln one. I gut and clean them, pealing off nice pink fillets. Sitting on the grassy bank of the lake, with sticky rice and wasabi, we eat sushi the way God intended.
...
Tomorrow we'll head down and out through the lower Boulder Chain lakes, then pick up a trail heading south to Castle lake. It should be a good hump day, minus the dramatic ups-and-downs.
[8/31, Wednesday]
Left camp #3 around 10:00 for Castle lake, passing down in elevation through Boulder Chain lakes, Hammuck, Lodgepole, Sliderock, Hourglass, Shelf, Willow, and Waterdog lakes. Out of the valley we turned southeast to Castle lake. Up and down in elevation through thick stands of evergreens. I just realized that this is the first time we've been on a groomed, dedicated trail since the start.
...
Merriam Peak on the right, but we missed the turnoff to hike up to Castle lake. There are a lot of unmarked and dead-end trails.
...
High up and almost directly across from Castle Peak we realize that we've missed the cutoff trail and decide to bushwack west to see if we can pick it up. Along the way I find a Boletes mushroom and take a spore print in my journal.
...
Instead of finding the trail, we find a hidden log cabin, which by the looks of it ws built by prospectors quite some time ago. The oldest graffiti we can find is dated 1964. We conclude that this is a "sign" and set up camp. After a light lunch, Spencer and I decide to go looking f or adventure and try to find the trail that leads up to Castle lake. Cutting northwest from the cabin we find a high waterfall coming down the sheer white granite. The water must be coming from the lake high up, so we start climbing. It's absolutely beautiful - Shambahla!
...
After ~1,000' of climbing and scrambling up moss covered boulders we find the lake in a bowl between two massive peaks; Castle on the south and Merriam on the north. The bowl we're in acts as a funnel for the high powered winds that rush down and circle around the lake and shoreline with such force that it's difficult to stand. Despite the sun, we huddle on the rocks next to the water and Spencer takes photos. Trout! I see them rising and cruising along the shoreline. Drats, and I didn't bring my fly rod. Back to the cabin.
...
That night someone brings up the bright idea of sleeping out under the stars (no tents). the stars are bright and amazingly clear. I stare for about 30 minutes before falling asleep. At 3:00a I wake up half frozen and sore. The warm night has turned frigged bloody cold. After two more hours I can't stand it any more and muster the determination to get out of my bag, and get dressed to stoke the fire and make coffee to stay warm and wait for the sun to rise. My hardshell jacket is crinkling with frost.
...
By 7:00a the sun has crested in the east and the air instantly starts to warm up. I'm still alive, joy...
[8/31, Thu?)
We hit the trail at 10:30a and it's an amzing switch back up and over Castle Divide. It's a 10,000' pass at the top of an alpine meadow. The trail winds and meanders in long lazy switchback loops, and I find it easy to loose myself in thought and walking rhythm. Spencer is about 100 yards ahead and Lincoln is almost to the top. Before I realize it, I'm at the top and mildly disappointed that it came to soon. Disappointment is quickly replaced with stunned amazement at the view from the divide. We're surrounded by jagged peaks, cliffs, chutes, valleys and far off mountain ranges. We sit, rest, and take pictures.
Lincoln heads down into Chamberlain Basin while Spencer and I linger to look at rocks and continue to take in the view, not wanting to leave.
...
Back down the other side we make our way through fragrant sage brush and numerous wildflowers that I can't identify. I see familiar blue ones shaped like vases and what I think are red bottlebrush. I've been lagging back from the others, slipping into a slower more relaxed pace, letting my thoughts wander.
...
To the west, on the steep slopes of grass and rocks, Spencer stops to point out three mountain goats feeding without a care. By 1:30p we've made it to the upper Chamberlain lake and set up camp along the far north shore. It's a great grassy flat meadow with large boulders and wild flowers. I find among the shrubs several wild mushrooms, which I think are Boletes, but of course without being 100% sure, I don't take the risk of being poisoned. I simply admire them as they are and take a spore print as a souvenir.
After setting up my tent and t aking a quick bath in he lake, I change clothes, put together my fly rod to see what's holding in the lake. I find a small, deep pocket of water among the boulders and sheltered by a over hanging shrub. I see a shadow in the pool and make my way to see if I can make him rise. He looks to be a pretty good size. I make two fake casts to calculate distance and get my line out, then place the elkhair caddis squarely in the middle with a perfect, healthy splat. One second... Two seconds... STRIKE! My rod bends more than I had expected, and there's a large trout at the end. He's understandably angry at my interrupting his lazy day of feeding and shakes his head violently with each jump out of the water. I play him easy, keeping the line tight then notice something. I yell over my shoulder, "Lincoln, get the camera!". It's a big Golden Trout, and I land him on the grassy bank to take a few quick photos before returning him to the lake. He was about 12-13 inches and caught in a lake at 9,482'. He made my day.
[9/3 Friday]
On Friday morning I'm up at 5:30a to make coffee and breakfast before the others stir. It was the best night's sleep I've had so far and woke well rested for the 10 mile hump out to the trailhead. We leave the Chamberlain lakes basin around 9:30a, then over the last big pass south (10,000') then down to ~8,800' before turning north again. On he way we passed several parties just starting their trips into the mountains. We've managed to avoid everyone until now. Passing along two unnamed lakes we make our way toward Washington lake, a cirque lake, then Fourth of July lake before descending down to the trailhead and parking lot.
...
At the parking lot, we shed our boots, sign the register then load up for our long drives back home.
This was one of our best trips ever. A big thanks to Spencer and Lincoln for their companionship, but especially the smoked salmon quesadillas and cheddar cheese.
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