Bag Night Challenge 2020

They knew I'd be hiking down from Peekaboo, and I didn't know any better.
I'll definitely be back, though!
 
It's definitely impassible to vehicles (the first few miles to Horse Canyon were okay, though beyond that the road was flooded), but hiking it is no big deal. I didn't speak to any rangers though, which is probably why it was easier going. :roflmao:

The road is almost always flooded beyond Horse Canyon to Peekaboo, even when it’s open there’s a lot of driving through water.

Always a good idea to avoid the rangers as much as possible :)
 
It's definitely impassible to vehicles (the first few miles to Horse Canyon were okay, though beyond that the road was flooded), but hiking it is no big deal. I didn't speak to any rangers though, which is probably why it was easier going. :roflmao:

Congratulations on your first Needles trip!

Last fall somebody got stuck out there, got a towing company in and somehow they managed to flip the car and do a lot of damage to the road.
 
That's a Katabatic Bristlecone bivy. I got it to keep condensation off the bag, and keep out windblown snow on those rare occasions that becomes an issue. Turns out I really like it for "cowboy camping", as it keeps me from getting off in the dirt. Doesn't need the groundsheet, but since I already have that along, it's kept the bivy clean the few times I've used it. Packs up so small that I keep it in a 1qt Ziploc freezer bag.

 
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We spent the weekend exploring Trachyte Creek and lower Maidenwater. It was very windy for most of last night.

Total: 13 Nights

Mar 6-8 | Trachyte Creek | 2 >> http://adventr.co/2020/03/the-canyons-of-trachyte-creek/
Feb 29 - Mar 1 | Jackass Benches | 1
Feb 14-15 | White Sands National Park | 1
Feb 11-12 | Aravaipa Canyon | 1
Jan 31 - Feb 2 | White Crack | 2
Jan 25-26 | Behind the Rocks | 1
Jan 17-20 | Mojave Desert | 3
Jan 3-5 | Mountain Belle | 2


Trachyte Creek Campsite #1
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Trachyte Creek Campsite #2
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Trachyte Creek Morning
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr
 
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@OwenM -And does the frost accumulate on the surface of that in the winter instead of on top of your sleeping bag?
Sorry, I missed that earlier. I've only used it a few times. "Usually"(based on those few times), even if the inside of my shelter is coated with ice, the bivy is dry.
So far, conditions have been far from ideal most of the times I've used my Solomid XL, and condensation has been an issue on several occasions.
The bivy has been a welcome addition.
Doesn't hurt that I happen to love bivies. I'd still be using an Integral Designs eVent Unishelter, except for the fact you can't sit up in it.
Another plus is that my water bottles don't freeze, even in the teens, if I put them inside the bivy, alongside the pad.
 
Spent a few nights in Canyonlands and it seems the world has gone crazy once I had cell signal again!

Total: 16 Nights

Mar 12-15 | The Needles | 3
Mar 6-8 | Trachyte Creek | 2
Feb 29 - Mar 1 | Jackass Benches | 1
Feb 14-15 | White Sands National Park | 1
Feb 11-12 | Aravaipa Canyon | 1
Jan 31 - Feb 2 | White Crack | 2
Jan 25-26 | Behind the Rocks | 1
Jan 17-20 | Mojave Desert | 3
Jan 3-5 | Mountain Belle | 2



West Side Campsite
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Salt Creek Evening
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Peekaboo Camp
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr
 
Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
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Great hike. Waterfalls flowing well, water in creeks where I've never seen it-everything goes underground via "sinks", so there are lots of creek beds that have flow only when the subterranean rivers are overwhelmed.
I've been debating a less warm quilt than my Katabatic Palisade, and the way my old 40F bag unbalances the overall color scheme of my gear may be prompt me to take action.
Don't wanna be clashing in the wilderness...

My camera's Wifi and my phone are arguing, so I can't get the pics tranferred over, but here are a couple GIFs from videos on my phone:
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Total: 8 Nights

1/17/2020 - Cañon Largo, NM
1/18/2020 - Cañon Saladito, NM
1/19/2020 - Alamo Windmill, NM
1/20/2020 - Encino, NM
2/28/2020 - Hart's Draw, UT
2/29/2020 - Hatch Point, UT
3/27/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)
3/28/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)

A friend and I camped in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument this weekend and did a long day-hike in the Gulch. We didn't see any other people while hiking, and only stopped once for fuel in Torrey with proper hand-sanitizing techniques. There were definitely more cows than people in the area!


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IMG_1577.JPG
 
Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
Night 7: DeSoto State Park, AL

Was dayhiking at Savage Gulf in TN, but there's nowhere to camp around there.
DeSoto State Park in N. AL takes late arrivals, though, so I called ahead, then drove down, set up in the dark, and knocked out 12+ hours of sleep.
87557

Aside from people being in some kind of cabin that they also rent out, I had their primitive campground to myself. There are also several small waterfalls that I was able to visit this morning, in spite of my back being very unhappy today.
Late breakfast at Lost Falls:
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One of my stops yesterday was the short Greeter Loop at Savage Gulf, which I always turn into a much longer off-trail adventure, rather than staying on the trails.
The highlight is Lower Greeter Falls,
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...but my personal favorite is Lower Boardtree Falls, which is off-trail, and down in a gorge that I love to play around in.
87556

Rain certainly makes social distancing easy. I was the only person on the Savage Day Loop.
The only other time I've had Savage Falls to myself was during a polar vortex that brought subzero temps.
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Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
Night 7: DeSoto State Park, AL
Night 8: Big Frog Wilderness, TN

Not picturesque, but fairly scenic, at least until the leaves fill in.
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Plenty of views, but all obscured by trees, so hard to get pics of.
20200415_114119.jpg

Saw one trail runner Wednesday morning as I was breaking camp, noone else. Planned to spend 2 nights, but did ~18 miles and out before dark, yesterday.
 
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Okay boys, I got back from a long 24 day winter backpacking trip (see pics) in the mountains of TN and NC and hiked these main trails---

Flats Mt (twice)
Brush Mt Up (Citico Creek wilderness)
Seven Mile Ridge (Bob Bald to Hangover Mt)
Hangover Lead South/Big Fat Trail down to Slickrock Creek
Nutbuster Trail Up (48th backpack of the thing)
Fodderstack Ridge North
Pine Ridge Down (out on Flats Mt).

BACKPACKING BAG NIGHTS AS OF APRIL 17: 45
BACKYARD BEDROLL CAMP BAG NIGHTS: 62

TOTAL BAG NIGHTS: 107

Trip 203 (7)-XL.jpg
My trip starts on February 27 on Flats Mt in TN at 4,000 feet with a full winter kit and 24 days worth of food and fuel---about a 100 lb pack.

Trip 203 (12)-XL.jpg
A butt cold camp on Flats Mt in TN.

Trip 203 (62)-XL.jpg
Climbing the hellish trail of Brush Mt in Citico wilderness. Pack of choice is a custom Dan McHale load hauler at about 8,000 cubic inches.

Trip 203 (95)-XL.jpg
I somehow reach the top of Brush Mt trail and punch out my 26.5th backpack of the thing---the most rugged and remote trail in the Citico.

Trip 203 (101)-XL.jpg
On Trail 149 I meet some backpackers from the Cranbrook School in Michigan---and pulling their 51st Annual 11 day wilderness expedition.

Trip 203 (116)-XL.jpg
My backpacking buddy Rob Bush shows up on Bob Bald with his giant Hilleberg tent, a Keron 4GT.

Trip 203 (197)-XL.jpg
Rob Bush with his ginormous Dana Designs Astralplane pack---and son Ashton on left. Hoppin John is on right.

Trip 203 (315)-XL.jpg
More Cranbrook kids crossing Hangover Creek on the Upper Slickrock Nutbuster trail.

Trip 203 (396)-XL.jpg
Some Cranbrook trip leaders on Seven Mile Ridge between Hangover Mt and Bob Bald.

Trip 203 (473)-XL.jpg
Trip ends on Day 24 in a thick fog on March 21 as I wait for my shuttle ride home.
 
Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
Night 7: DeSoto State Park, AL
Night 8: Big Frog Wilderness, TN
Night 9: Cheaha Wilderness, AL

Packed trailheads due to people dayhiking to popular spots, but I went a different direction, and didn't see anyone. Heavy rain coming in guaranteed there'd be no other backpackers. The continuing pattern of rain on my off night/s may not be such a bad thing in that regard, since people who aren't working are now hitting the woods during the week, when I usually don't see them. I actually didn't work last night, and went hiking instead, *because* of the bad weather.
20200422_143347.jpg

Corona on the trail:oops:
20200422_145132.jpg

I don't care if it's been raining, is raining, and will continue to rain when I've got a Zip firestarter and a new mini saw to test out.
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Unfortunately, my old Tarptent's day may have finally come, as I woke up to sprinkles and a puddle inside the tent, so packed up and hiked out rather than sleeping a few more hours.
Hiking back over the mountain, literally inside the storm, love it:
20200423_080804.jpg
 
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I spent three nights in Utah's West Desert this weekend (and briefly stepped into Idaho and Nevada where the states meet), and saw a lot of land art, old mines, caves, and other relics of the past.

Total: 11 Nights

1/17/2020 - Cañon Largo, NM
1/18/2020 - Cañon Saladito, NM
1/19/2020 - Alamo Windmill, NM
1/20/2020 - Encino, NM
2/28/2020 - Hart's Draw, UT
2/29/2020 - Hatch Point, UT
3/27/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)
3/28/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)
4/23/2020 - Silver Island Mountains, UT
4/24/2020 - Devil's Playground, UT
4/25/2020 - Dove Creek, UT

Mine shaft near camp at Silver Island Mountains
IMG_1657.JPG

Devil's Playground camp
IMG_1770.JPG

Dove Creek camp
IMG_1839.JPG
 
Time for an update since I just hit a big milestone on my blog. I just posted my 1,000th Trip Report, which was from a local overnight backpacking trip this past weekend in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Yes, I've been doing this a LONG TIME! If you are interested in checking it out, it can be found here: http://adventr.co/2020/04/the-arches-of-mee-canyon/

Total: 21 Nights

Apr 25-26 | Mee Canyon | 1
Apr 3-5 | The West End | 2 >> http://adventr.co/2020/04/getting-lost-in-the-west-end/
Mar 27-29 | Waterpocket Fold | 2 >> http://adventr.co/2020/03/waterpocket-fold-lower-muley-twist-canyon/
Mar 12-15 | The Needles | 3
Mar 6-8 | Trachyte Creek | 2
Feb 29 - Mar 1 | Jackass Benches | 1
Feb 14-15 | White Sands National Park | 1
Feb 11-12 | Aravaipa Canyon | 1
Jan 31 - Feb 2 | White Crack | 2
Jan 25-26 | Behind the Rocks | 1
Jan 17-20 | Mojave Desert | 3
Jan 3-5 | Mountain Belle | 2


Mee Canyon Campsite Butte
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Grand Gulch Camp
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Morning at Camp
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr
 
Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
Night 7: DeSoto State Park, AL
Night 8: Big Frog Wilderness, TN
Night 9: Cheaha Wilderness, AL
Night 10: Dugger Mountain Wilderness, AL
Quick in/out of a short 8.8 mile section of the Pinhoti Trail, plus a little extra to get it over 18 total-plus I was looking for wilderness signs that did not appear on either side of the wilderness area(?).
My new Flex 40 had been used in mid-20s, upper 30s, and low 50s, so it was about time it saw some 40s.
~44F last night, but high 70s by the time I got to my car.
Spring is in effect here. Everything is green, the little wildflowers are starting to bloom, the bugs are buzzing, and the poison oak is off to a quick start.

20200501_165101.jpg

100% tree cover, so not long on views...
20200430_133446.jpg

Might have been able to do without the bugnetting last night, due to a cool spell behind a front, but it's rarely optional around here from late spring through late fall.
20200430_184604.jpg
 
Night 1: Walls of Jericho, AL
Night 2: Big South Fork, KY
Night 3-5: Canyonlands, UT
Night 6: Savage Gulf, TN
Night 7: DeSoto State Park, AL
Night 8: Big Frog Wilderness, TN
Night 9: Cheaha Wilderness, AL
Night 10: Dugger Mountain Wilderness, AL
Night 11: Big South Fork, KY

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area reopened on Monday, May 4.
Perfect timing, since my birthday(and first off night) were Tuesday, May 5.
Once again, a rainy forecast kept me from seeing anyone on the trail, but I met a nice young couple at the TH who had also made a beeline for BSF when it opened-from Ohio!
Hiked to the site of the late unpleasantness in January, where I did not make it to Lick Creek Falls due to my back spazzing out when leaving Princess Falls, which in turn led to x-rays, MRI, epidural, and prescription meds.
This time I did a quick in/out from the Lick Creek Falls TH, rather than making it an add-on to a Negro Creek/Sheltowee Trace loop.
This place must be my unlucky charm, because making it out this morning had me taking those meds for the first time on a hike, plus cutting off another hike and second night in the area. I did visit the Bear Creek overlook, and do the short Split Bow Arch loop before heading home, though.

This was my birthday party!;)
20200506_125458.jpg

My wet tent this morning:
20200506_095929.jpg

The Big South Fork is riding high after lots of rain and flooding.
20200506_104651.jpg

Bit less flow today, but doing an in/out meant getting to see Princess and Lick Creek Falls(not to mention the whole trail is fantastic!) both coming and going.
20200506_113554_1.gif

20200506_123637_1.gif
 
Time for another update since I probably won't be camping much, if at all, over the next month or so...

Total: 27 Nights

May 15-18 | Woodenshoe Canyon | 3
May 8-10 | Silver Falls Creek | 2 >> http://adventr.co/2020/05/canyons-of-the-escalante-silver-falls-creek/
May 1-2 | Tomsich Butte | 1 >> http://adventr.co/2020/05/hondu-country-upper-muddy-creek-gorge/
Apr 25-26 | Mee Canyon | 1
Apr 3-5 | The West End | 2
Mar 27-29 | Waterpocket Fold | 2
Mar 12-15 | The Needles | 3
Mar 6-8 | Trachyte Creek | 2
Feb 29 - Mar 1 | Jackass Benches | 1
Feb 14-15 | White Sands National Park | 1
Feb 11-12 | Aravaipa Canyon | 1
Jan 31 - Feb 2 | White Crack | 2
Jan 25-26 | Behind the Rocks | 1
Jan 17-20 | Mojave Desert | 3
Jan 3-5 | Mountain Belle | 2


An Evening in Hondu Country
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Poor Canyon
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Moody Creek Campsite
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Silver Falls Bend
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Silver Falls Creek Camp
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Woodenshoe Canyon Camp
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr


Cherry Canyon Campsite
by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr
 
I spent a couple of nights around Torrey, Utah, this weekend searching for rock art in Capitol Reef and Dixie NF.

Total: 13 Nights

1/17/2020 - Cañon Largo, NM
1/18/2020 - Cañon Saladito, NM
1/19/2020 - Alamo Windmill, NM
1/20/2020 - Encino, NM
2/28/2020 - Hart's Draw, UT
2/29/2020 - Hatch Point, UT
3/27/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)
3/28/2020 - The Gulch, UT (GSENM)
4/23/2020 - Silver Island Mountains, UT
4/24/2020 - Devil's Playground, UT
4/25/2020 - Dove Creek, UT
5/29/2020 - Thousand Lake Mountain, UT
5/30/2020 - East Boulder Mountain, UT

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