Backpacking 2015

Ben was beyond excited when we found a little framed backpack that was just his size at the consignment shop in town.  Joe was pretty excited too.  This would be the first year that all four of our little people were carrying their own gear:  backpacks, food, clothes, water, all of it!  Sara and Ben's pack tapped out at 10ish lbs.  Kayte was pretty close to 17 or 18, Will's was pushing 25, which was just about where mine was at.  Joe's was super-light at around 35.  His first year was 60+, because of all the extra kid stuff he added on.  It was a tough haul, even so.  We did 18 miles in 3 days, and one vertical mile.  Two-thirds of that time we were packing.  But it was worth it.  Not just for the views and the conquering, but the lake trout!  So yum!!

Ben says bring it.

First break.  Very hot.

Will is carrying his own fishing gear, better believe it.

A toad, the size of my fist.

Nursing the wounds at the top.

At Wallowa it was still legal to do campfire which was nice.  We never really got cold enough to need it, but it sure helped out with our trash disposal.  This was definitely our warmest, driest trip to date.

The view from my tent in the AM.

The view of the boys bringing home the early morning fish.

We headed out for a day hike and on the far side of the lake was an old mine with lots of outbuildings.  Including this little cabin open to all visitors.

Headed to the top!

We found a patch of snow!!  Dad had koolaid, of course, so there were snow cones!

The lake for lunch.

YES!  This was soooo good.

....and this!  This was soooo cold.  Sara was the only one who could get in without a sound at all.  Everyone else was whooping and hollering!  It just felt good to be so clean.

 

More fish.  And that reflection!!

The crew.  It was awesome to have my aunt Julie and cousin Bobby along for the second year in a row!  Now they are tradition that we can't do without.  An element of fun!

The hike home was hot and fast and we rewarded ourselves with a smorgasbord of hamburgers and wings and pizza and soda and ice cream and candy and chocolate cake.  And we so deserved it!

And a little nap, too.