Sunday, September 4, 2011

Bechler August 2011!

Last week Robert and I hiked the Bechler Canyon. This marked the 15th year since Jeremy introduced me to the area, and 10 years since Robert and I journeyed here (and I lost all of the skin off the bottom of my feet). This year we hiked about 35 miles in 72 hours. Our packs weighed in at 50 lbs. We stayed at 9B5 (Colonade Falls), 9B8 ("Stewart" Falls) and 9A3 (Dunanda Falls).

Patty said that I will be boring ya'll with this many pictures, but I disagreed. Rather than comment on each pic I am going to provide you with the Top 10 positive and negatives aspects of the trip.

1. The Beauty of Bechler is just as stunning as ever (see pics)
2. Other than some minor pains, we were injury free.
3. Weather was near perfect. Highs 70's Lows 40's. The last night we went to bed with cloudless skies, had two incredible T-storms in the middle of the night and woke with great weather again.
4. No bear attacks.
5. The incredible hot springs of Ferris and Dunanda.
6. Bring enough Deet. (Did the inventor of this get some kind of a Nobel award?)
7. Patty's snacks. We ate well.
8. "Lightload" Towels. These were great. Thanks, Jer.
9. Plenty of rest. We were in bed by 6:00-8:00 every night. The new hammock was great! Thanks, Dalpias'
10. Thousands of red dragonflies in the meadow that eat mosquitos.


Negative:

1. Mosquitos!
2. Horse Flies or whatever those mean, monstrous things are!
3. Other than the black bear and her cub, we saw no other mammals.
4. I can't think of anything else.

For those of you that are familiar with the area, you will appreciate these pics. For those of you that don't know the area, put it on your list of things to do next summer!