Borden Creek Overnighter

[Lesley]

This trip was essentially a shake down of the new gear.  Lots of debate was had on what to take and how to take it.  We got a late start Saturday, but had an enjoyable time none the less.  Going in we were sad to see how low the water was, but glad there was any water at all.  Things were moving nicely until we came to a large rock with a small opening through it.  I attempted to go down hands and knees without removing my pack, but that didn't work.  Lots of dust and a broken set of sunglasses later we all got through.  Item 1: Pull, don't push, a fully loaded backpack through small spaces.  Once we got to a nice spot we made camp.  It was on the corner between Borden Creek and an unnamed feeder creek.  Surrounding that were ridges and bluffs.  After dinner and sunset all the cold damp air settled in our little valley.  Item 2: Put on the thermals once sun sets.  The mercury drops!  I did not do this.  The night was so clear we didn't set up the rainfly, and the stars were fabulous.  Thankfully there was very little wind.  We played some Rummy and then all crawled into bed.  I was cold at first, but I only had on the one layer on my legs and feet plus it actually got down to the hight 20's low 30's.  My new bag did great.  I was the first one asleep, and woke up warm with nary a sore muscle. This meant my new pad did great too!

Morning dawned and I decided to put the thermals on before I went outside.  This was stupid.  They were cold, which made me cold.  I put on all the clothes I brought with me.  Item 3: Sleep in layers starting with base layer.  Not the other way around.  I knew that, really I did, but applying it is a whole different story.  I did all the water gathering, and we had breakfast and coffee.  It's nice to hold hot coffee after splashing around a mountain stream before sun-up in November! To aid the digestion we bushwhacked up the feeder creek and explored some of the bluffs.  By lunch I was hot enough to go back to one layer.  We snacked a bit and broke camp.  All went smoothly and we were ready to face the hole in the rock wall but someone else was coming through the other way.  Out popped a dude two feet taller than me with a pack thrice the size of mine, really dusty but all in one piece.  Oh, well.  Everyone else in his party had to unload and I felt better.  We chatted about itinerary and gear for a few and parted ways.  We saw some trash at a couple of sites and packed it out. Item 4: Keep an empty sack close at hand for such occasions. Once back to the trail head Suzglass and I compared packs; she has a GoLite.  I like both really well and am torn between the two.  Maybe she'll swap with me for a trip and we can get a better idea of the differences. For now I like mine better.

My Gear:
Pack- Gregory Jade 50 (new)
Bag- Marmot Angel Fire 15 deg F (new)
Pad- Pacific Outdoor InsulMat AO Lite (new)
Tent- Kelty Gunnison 2
Stove- MSR WindPro

[Rob]

      Sounds like you all had a really great time! Now about those new packs.... Is yours a "top loader" too? I know that the Z55 is, and has some sort of side zip? How is it for access and packing? Did they accomodate all your gear? I don't have a hiking partner when I go, it's pretty much solo which means I get to play "pack mule".(wife doesn't seem to like sleeping out of doors when there is a perfectly good hotel to cozy down for the night...) So volume plays a big part in my ventures. That's my only concern about the Z55. I love the weight of the pack and suspension, but not sure what creature comforts to give up.( current pack is Kelty Coyote and weighs a miserable 7+ lbs. but I love the 4750 cubic inches of over packable space and all those handy pockets in which to loose all my "I know I put it in here somewhere" stuff) If you and Matt have any tips please share. Love my prolite pad and find it essential especially in cooler weather( have both long and short versions) I like the Kelty Gunnison 2 tent but opted for the North Face Rock 22(a lot of tent for one pack mule), not sure why though, both seem to be comparable.
      Isn't it amazing how quickly we can learn the do's and don'ts of backpacking! When to push or pull, layer or not layer or to stoop, squat, sit, bend or just give up! Those are the lessons only we can teach ourselves, and hopefully remember them. Happy trails, Hop-along Rob

[Suz]

Item 5:  Put reading glasses in a pocket or hang on a loop before going into cave!!

Item 6:  Watch out for "Terri holes" with a back pack.

Revelations:  Tennis shoes work great with a light pack.

I love going light!  My golite Pinnacle is a top loader, no side zipper (envious),  and it rides on my back, which got warm.  It isn't much more cumbersome than a day pack.

There are many head games to overcome going light,  and camping in a drought.  We couldn't have a fire, and I was unprepared for the insecurity that arose going to sleep without having that customary fire.  I slept in a one man tent and that felt isolating at first.  I left my fly on, but opened at the head to see the stars.  No condensation accumulated and it was a great night.

I did have concerns about the feral pigs, as there were signs of recent activity.

The light backpacking experience is akin to going to the beach without all that "stuff"  - Very liberating!

Suzglass

[lawnmowwer]

Sounds like it was a good trip. A little short for Me, but sometimes those are the best. Let use know next time and We might make a bigger group. I am used to taking beginers. As all scouts are beginers at some point. I would like to meet some of the people here (AlaTrails). It gets old packing just Me and the Dog. She loves it. We might have passed If ya'll were there Sat. I was in a day pack with My poles and a black 40 lb. dog. Look at My new pics I will add the dog also.