With two weeks in Oregon with Daniel (10), Eli (8) and Micah (5), Mark's #1 priority was to introduce his sons to the "Great Woodward Backpacking Tradition." Problem #1 was that most of the attractive trails nearby (OR, WA) were still covered with late snow in mid-July. Problem #2 was that the Trinity Alps in No. California (6 1/2-7 hours away) just happened to have an unseasonable amount of rain during the four days that Mark, Tasha and the boys were out on the trail. (Pix #1 was taken on a day when the sun was bright.) Picture #2, however, shows the joy of all participants after arriving back at the car again in bright sun after covering 24 trail miles in less-than-the-best weather conditions.
Good times were had by all -- especially on a night when the rain wasn't falling and a campfire really felt good!
One of the big challenges of the trip was creek-crossings without benefit of a nice bridge.
On this particular crossing the best method seemed to be a "piggyback approach" for each of the boys with Dad wading through the creek with Tevas. (At another creek when his boots and socks felt really wet from the rain Dad decided just to wade through the creek without changing to his Tevas.
In hindsight, not a good idea! At the next rest stop, water had to be poured from each boot.)
During the trip Tasha, Mark and the boys were warm at night in good sleeping bags, in spite of the unseasonably cool weather in the Trinity Alps. Raingear helped a lot to keep everyone reasonably dry, along with packs; however, one of the two tents didn't hold up well under extended rain showers -- to the extent that puddles would appear on the floor of the tent after a period of serious rain! All seemed to take it in stride, however, and at the conclusion of
the trip all three boys were eager to go backpacking next year! - rw (G'pa who didn't make the trip, but was highly impressed that Daniel wore his old Kiwanis cap!)
With two weeks in Oregon with Daniel (10), Eli (8) and Micah (5), Mark's #1 priority was to introduce his sons to the "Great Woodward Backpacking Tradition." Problem #1 was that most of the attractive trails nearby (OR, WA) were still covered with late snow in mid-July. Problem #2 was that the Trinity Alps in No. California (6 1/2-7 hours away) just happened to have an unseasonable amount of rain during the four days that Mark, Tasha and the boys were out on the trail. (Pix #1 was taken on a day when the sun was bright.) Picture #2, however, shows the joy of all participants after arriving back at the car again in bright sun after covering 24 trail miles in less-than-the-best weather conditions. 
Good times were had by all -- especially on a night when the rain wasn't falling and a campfire really felt good!
One of the big challenges of the trip was creek-crossings without benefit of a nice bridge.
On this particular crossing the best method seemed to be a "piggyback approach" for each of the boys with Dad wading through the creek with Tevas. (At another creek when his boots and socks felt really wet from the rain Dad decided just to wade through the creek without changing to his Tevas. In hindsight, not a good idea! At the next rest stop, water had to be poured from each boot.) 
During the trip Tasha, Mark and the boys were warm at night in good sleeping bags, in spite of the unseasonably cool weather in the Trinity Alps. Raingear helped a lot to keep everyone reasonably dry, along with packs; however, one of the two tents didn't hold up well under extended rain showers -- to the extent that puddles would appear on the floor of the tent after a period of serious rain! All seemed to take it in stride, however, and at the conclusion of
the trip all three boys were eager to go backpacking next year! - rw (G'pa who didn't make the trip, but was highly impressed that Daniel wore his old Kiwanis cap!)
2 comments:
That looks like a legendary trip. Only one thing missing, though...
Okay, Marta ... what's missing? (Could it possibly be Mom?) - rw
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