Plan SB's Elite Vision Quest Through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

[tdaver]

What about doing a section of the PCT?

Winner!

  Looking forward to your trip report and pics

[tdaver]

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchanted-valley

Go see some Roosevelt Elk.

Now that looks great as well.  Have you been?

[Tobias]

do it reese witherspoon-style to really challenge yourself

[Catchacold]

There are some good wilderness areas in central OR. Three Sisters, Mt Jefferson, Diamond Peak (PCT goes through these). Or go north around Mt Adams and find DB Cooper.

But those won't be do-able for a while, we got loads of snow this year. Then the mosquitoes can be thick for a few weeks in the summer (July-ish).

I've also heard good things about Eagle Cap (Wallowa Mtns) but haven't been out there yet. The Ochoco Mountains get less snow and have some wilderness areas. (but would check if they were affected by the wildfires the last couple years)

[Emo EMAW]

I think Ima tell my wife we are going to see some wineries and then surprise her with a wilderness adventure.  Thanks guys. 

[Emo EMAW]

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/enchanted-valley

Go see some Roosevelt Elk.

Now that looks great as well.  Have you been?

That does indeed look awesome.  Isn't that the neighborhood of that crazy long haired midget guy that lives in the woods?  Can't remember his name. 

[HerrSonntag]

Summer before last, i did this trail and an overnight up south of Mt. Hood.  Its less than a 2 hour drive from most places PDX and it was very lightly peopled in mid-July which is high season.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/boulder-lake-trail

It wasn't much of a trail, only a little over a mile each way (Had some non-hikers with us) but it could be a cool base camp for some other hikes.

Beyond that, it seemed like that whole forest south of Mt. Hood was pretty sparsely populated, i imaging you could pick most any trail and only be a few miles away from being by your lonesome.

[Emo EMAW]

Danke HerrSontag.

[HerrSonntag]

Bitte!

[tdaver]

Did anyone make any acquisitions over the winter/spring?  I got an Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt and Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm to replace a bag/pad combo that I kinda hated.  Ended up shaving about 25 ounces and should be a good bit warmer.

How do you like the EE quilt?  My bag kinda sucks and I'm looking to cut some weight.

[SkinnyBenny]

tdaver I am coming to Salt Lake City in mid to late June for a wedding. I currently only have like 2 1/2 days booked but I might be able to swing an extendo trip...maybe. Like add on an extra couple of days for vision questing. If I do, I'mma need some recommendos. Also, if I do, you're coming with me to the Def Leppard concert at that amphitheater thing on Monday, 6/19.

[tdaver]

tdaver I am coming to Salt Lake City in mid to late June for a wedding. I currently only have like 2 1/2 days booked but I might be able to swing an extendo trip...maybe. Like add on an extra couple of days for vision questing. If I do, I'mma need some recommendos. Also, if I do, you're coming with me to the Def Leppard concert at that amphitheater thing on Monday, 6/19.

Let me know what you decide and dates.  You can hit some nice Wasatch trails if you have just a few hours to kill.  If you have a couple days, then there are a lot of options.

Def Leppard?  Must be at USANA on the west side.  Can't BYOB there, so that sucks.  Could take you for a quick run up the mountains and recovery beer.

[Emo EMAW]

Did anyone make any acquisitions over the winter/spring?  I got an Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt and Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm to replace a bag/pad combo that I kinda hated.  Ended up shaving about 25 ounces and should be a good bit warmer.

How do you like the EE quilt?  My bag kinda sucks and I'm looking to cut some weight.

So I'm coming from a North Face Cats Meow, probably the crappiest bag ever made so take this assessment with a grain of salt.  But I really love the EE, and more importantly the quilt concept.  I have a 20 degree one, haven't slept that cold in it, maybe to the upper 30's.  Was warm.  I like how you can cuddle up with it or use it more like a blanket, kick arms or legs out, get some air flow if it's warm.  The only time I would prefer a bag (I think) is if I was sleeping in the dirt no tent and it was really windy.  Otherwise the quilt concept works for me. 

Lastly, this is my first down bag.  And I'm scared to ruin it somehow, like body oils or dirt or compressing too much or too long.  Fwiw.

[tdaver]

Ya, it's the quilt concept I'm not sure about.  From your description it sounds like I would probably like it.  I'm looking at EE and Hammock Gear.  They seem to be very similar.

[tdaver]

And did you end up doing any VQ'n between jobs?

[Emo EMAW]

Kinda.  Snow was too bad up high so went to Bend for a few days.  Still have some pics to post.  If my new job wasn't so awesome I would move there in a second.

[Emo EMAW]

Also I pushed my wife to tears one day so that was fun.  Made her cross a swift ice cold stream and she almost froze up.  I'm a jerk but after she said she had fun afterwards.  Type 2 fun I guess.

[tdaver]

Ha.  Awesome. 

Bend is on my short list of places to visit.  Would love to see what you did.  Post those pics.

[tdaver]

Took a couples trips south this month before it gets too hot.  Li'ltdavers are loving the slot canyons.

[star seed 7]

Make sure they watch 127 hours

[asava]

Posted some pics from a recent bike packing trip/elite vision quest through the kokopelli trail - Colorado and Utah in the "Any other cyclists" thread. Might be of interest here.

Went on a bike packing trip through the Kokopelli trail this last weekend. Thought you people might enjoy some pics.

[Emo EMAW]

Are you carrying all your gear with you?   Car camping?

[tdaver]

Yes, tell us more.

[chum1]

I hiked around Hocking Hills State Park over the weekend.

[Emo EMAW]

Awesome pic chumz.