My son Caleb and I decided several months ago that we would go backpacking in Yosemite in Aug. It was to be a Mother-Son bonding time. A great opportunity to spend 3 days together and just enjoy each other. I spent a lot of time talking to my good friend, Dan, an experienced backpacker and ultra runner, about what to expect and what to bring. I am a rookie at this. I have only backpacked twice before when the kids were little, and come to think about it, it really wasn't a backpacking trip at all. Well, we did backpack, but only a couple of miles and then we set up camp and did day hikes with the kids. Dan was kind enough to lend us his pack, bear canister, stove, and a pan. I bought a water filter and we were off!
When I couldn't get a wilderness permit for Yosemite, I decided that Kennedy Meadows out of Emmigrant Wilderness would be a perfect choice. We left at 4:30 am on Friday and drove 5 hours to the trail head. We unloaded our stuff (did I say heavy?), and began our hike anticipating going about 9 miles. We ended up finding the perfect camp site at about 8 miles and set up camp. A few others found their way to our perfect spot and asked if they could join us for dinner and conversation. Our new friend Ray told us everything about him self and we never even got to add to the conversation. Caleb and I had a lot of laughs over Backpacker Ray.
The next morning we got up early and left with a plan to hike about 9 miles. When we ran out of water at about 4 miles we had no choice except to keep moving. It was hot and the climbs over the granite were brutal. We continued on mile after mile to only find dried up creeks and brown stagnate water. We were getting desperate and kept moving. Finally after we had hiked over 18 miles, we found snow that was melting down a ravine and we carefully collected the drips. After filtering this cold water and drinking it, we enjoyed ourselves with stories of what each of us was secretly thinking as we trudged along. We camped high on a mountain above 9000 ft. and had a restless sleep with the wind howling and the night cold.
Sunday morning came and with only 7 miles to the car, we headed out. But not before we found out that we had run out of gas for the stove! We were both glad that we had hiked so many miles the day before, because it would have been a total bummer to not have food for Sunday night! Our original plan was to hike out Monday morning.
We had a great trip and it was so much fun to spend so much time with Caleb. We laughed and caught up on all kinds of subjects and I am so thankful for such an amazing child. I am excited to think of backpacking again!
6 comments:
i love the picture of you and Caleb......you are such a great Mom and I am so glad you two had such a fun time together!!!!
Sounds awesome and full of excitement. Bill and Alex are doing 3 days, 42 miles around Mt. Hood this weekend. I hope my 13 year can make it. I think those kinds of trips are the best way to grow such strong bonds.
Great job Mom!
Thanks, Anonymous! We really did have a great time. I sure love Caleb and wish we had more time to spend together.
Thanks, Rooster. Bill and Alex will have such a blast out there. It is fun to spend time alone with our kids. Congrats again on Hardrock. You inspire me and motivate me daily. Thanks for everything that you do and write about. I love your blog. Hope to see you one of these days, Ronda.
Hi, just found your blog. I run and I have lupus. I am profoundly overjoyed to read about you running long distances. It is possible!
I have been training for a half marathon and then last week had a flare up, stopping my training. I am excited that I'm feeling better and ready to get back out there. I was sad sitting in the ER thinking of how long I would not be able to run but now I'm really looking forward to Friday because I am going to put on my running shoes and even if I only go out for a mile...just being able to walk is such a blessing. If I have to start my training all over again, I'll do it. My race is in one month!
I love running and your blog is so inspirational.
Also, your backpack trip sounds wonderful. My husband and I enjoy backpacking as well. We just went to Mineral King in the Sequoias. A 6 mile hike in surrounded by tons of nature.
Thank you.
Hey Lupe, thanks for reading my blog. I am glad that it is inspiring to you. We all need some inspiration, huh? Keep running and most of all stay fit. I also believe that diet plays an important role especially living with Lupus. Eating as clean as you can and being as healthy as you can, are very important to our health. Good luck with your half marathon! Remember to enjoy yourself and keep moving!
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