All (or almost all) my gear for what I’ve decided to call Bastian's Big Backpacking Voyage 2024 (#BaBiBaVo2024), six weeks (or so) of #hiking and #backpacking in the south of France. A total of 11kg, not counting food and water, which is about 2-3kg more than I’d like, so now comes the fun part of trying to whittle off any excess weight (like that giant roll of duck tape). With a limited budget I had to make some compromises, though, so I might not be able to reduce it as much as I’d like.
🧵 1/6
May 29, 1983, 41 years ago today: I began hiking exactly at 11:00 beneath a heavy overcast, but no rain. My first three miles were the climb up Big Bald.
I have very mixed feelings about this adventure. While I had a good weekend, it was decidedly Type II fun. Plusses include wildflowers and beautiful views. Minuses include monotonous ups and downs, dangerous landslide traverses, and poison oak absolutely everywhere. I’m not sure yet if I’m breaking out or not. I found myself wishing I was rafting the river instead.
This fine creature kept me company while I was eating dinner by a stream last week during my #backpacking trip in the White #Mountains, #NewHampshire. It just hung out on my boot while I enjoyed the sounds of the stream!
Continuing the biennial "completely rebuild my #backpacking water filtration and storage system" (DIY quick release bite valve so I can plug in my gravity filter to the same inlet)
I’m hanging out at the famous Blue Pool this morning eating lunch and drying out my tent. It rained a bit while I slept but was only misting by the time I was packing up. I’ve already covered a large portion of the trail last night and this morning. This trail is a gem, I love it out here. I believe the waterfall corridor is next. Just a quick post, more photos to come.
I tagged the end of the trail this morning. Incredible trail. No one told me I would be hiking on a lava bed at the edge of a beautiful lake. I’m currently in the snow attempting a summit of Sand Mountain to see the views.
I received word via satellite that Sand Mountain has great views of the surrounding volcanos. Decided to take a last minute 15-mile side trip. First time I’ve climbed a snowy mountain but it wasn’t too hard with micro spikes. Snow was still frozen from overnight. I felt like I was on the top of the world, no one around for miles. It’s amazing we can do this.
Mount Hood looks stunning from up here on Table Mountain. I was informed by a frankly terrified-looking day hiker that black bears were seen up here last night. I’m proceeding with caution and will update you if I encounter them. 🐻🗻☀️
I’m really enjoying the views of Mount Adams. One of my goals this summer is to backpack near the volcano. I fell in love with it on the peak of Old Snowy. If you didn’t know it’s mid-May you would think it’s summer. I had a great time meeting and camping with @intrepidhero. We didn’t see the aurora per se but we saw a late night greenish sky. Felt lighter out.
I explored the unmaintained Two Chiefs Trail on the way out of the forest. Saw some unique views of Table Mountain from the south. Had to turn back at Greenleaf Creek because there was no way to cross without getting soaked. It was great to be back out exploring new areas along the PCT.
Having not done a real hike since November, it seemed the perfect time to launch myself on ~40 miles over 3 days backpacking.
Day 1 started in old growth redwoods, passed remains of homesteading, then climbed past a selection of trees to one of the old growth redwood backpacking camps.
Day 2 wasn't far, but had excursions to make it longer than the first. Out along Hanson Ridge and up to the fire lookout on Grasshopper Mountain and one that shall simply be known simply as The Excursion.
Day 3 was the longest of them all, but also the most single track trail, the most old growth. Oh, yeah, and the most downhill. A little river and creek and lots of trees.
🧵 1/5
May 8, 1983, 41 years ago today: There is nothing like trying to pack up everything you own in a downpour. My sleeping bag was soaked, my tent was hopeless; everything was drenched. Adding insult to injury, the rain came to a dead stop about five minutes after I had finished packing.
🧵 1/3
May 3, 1983, 41 years ago today: At a spot called Three Forks, four miles from Springer Mountain, the Appalachian Trail crossed a fire road beside the convergence of three streams which had become raging torrents. A blinding mass of rain was creating a surreal, semi-aquatic woodland.
This video accurately shows what the Timberline Trail is like during peak season August/September. 40 mile backpacking loop. Self issued unlimited permits and $5 parking. Lots of campsites. Even if you’re from out of town the logistics are easy. Fly into PDX and rent a car for the ~2 hour drive or take the bus to Timberline Lodge. The views are amazing. I’ll probably do it again over a 3-day weekend in September if anyone is down. #Backpacking