West Prong Dec 2011
Dec 28-30
Back to the West Prong for a bit of Christmas Break basecamping.
This is what we love to see walking through our camp. Dave had a little
conversation with them about it.
Jerky assumes wood duty.
At 9 pm, GD Jack arrives.
Then comes Slapnuts from Bote Mtn. We have wonderful hiking cameos in the
Highlander outings. You never know who will show up to meet us in the
backcountry. Of course, if this backcountry fee is enacted, that will be a
thing of the past. No more spontaneous decisions to come out and meet your
buddies. You have to make a reservation 72 hours in advance with
Recreation.gov, a Canadian based company. Slap and Jack met Dave Mike and
myself which brought the total campers at cs 18 on Wednesday to FIVE.
Understand, FIVE of us were the only folks in the over crowded backcountry that
first night in a site rated for 12 people. Think we are a little concerned
about the overstated backcountry overcrowding assertions by Dale Ditmanson?
Naaa.
Sometime in the middle of the night, we were awakened by a gurgling, howling, moaning noise that I have never encountered. At first I thought coyote, but then I thought bobcat. I'm going to call it Bobcoyote. Whatever it was, the proximity to my tent was undeniable. Jerky Mike heard it but the other 3 slept right through it. That noise went on for about 3 full minutes.
I did a little dayhiking on Thursday up Bote mountain and back down to
Schoolhouse Gap. Found a great little bushwhack that shortcuts back into
this trail. When I returned, Sally D and I did a little bushwhacking up
the West Prong creek and found all kinds of nice territory in there.
3 big trees from a single trunk.
We had to have a nice Abe Lincoln fire because....
Sally D made ribs for everyone! Man I love it when he does that.
Slap explains that Dave needs to do this on a more regular basis and gives him 5
reasons to do so. What type of reaction do you think Dave had to this
suggestion?
Know this mountain?
I turn into super Sherpa on these basecamp adventures.
Jerky Mike and Jack departed leaving Sally D and myself alone to explore the area. Slappy took off to do the Rich Mountain Loop for some fresh miles. He returned to join us Thursday evening. We left him as he headed up to cs 15 on Rabbit Creek then to Spence Field for New Years Eve. I received a text from him on the bald wishing us all a Happy New year. I'm sure he had a good one.
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Happy New Year to everyone!