My Christmas present to my Boy Scout cousins was and "I owe you" note for a backpacking trip on the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas.
In typical obnoxious cousin fashion I used a diabolical wrapping scheme. They unwrapped their package and inside was another, and inside that another, and another and another. The final package contained a note that told them to find another box under the tree and their present was inside it. After unwrapping five more packages inside packages they got their note.
Because of my work we couldn't leave until late. We drove to the Winding Stair Trailhead and camped about a quarter mile into the woods.
We were up early the next morning. The guys were not going super light but I'd helped them eliminate most of their excess stuff. Their packs were probably about 25 pounds.
On this trip I was testing and Exped Lighting 60 pack. It was really more space then I needed and the compression straps weren't doing enough so I'd added two more strap in the center and at the bottom.
We hiked down from the ridge and began following the Little Missouri River.
Most creek crossings were like this one, but one required wading. For my cousins this was a new experience. Most of their trips have been in Texas were the water (if there is any) is nasty and you have to carry all your drinking water.
At a ford we were pleasantly surprised to see BPL member Leigh Baker. She and I chatted for a while about packs, shoes and other gear geek topics before she continued on ahead of us.
