Topic

Trip report – “Help with sick 12 year old” – Emigrant Wilderness – Master Hike!


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Administration & Support Website & Forum Support Trip report – “Help with sick 12 year old” – Emigrant Wilderness – Master Hike!

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1307967
    bryan c.
    Member

    @bugsdad

    Hello All!
    I apologize for the delay in getting this trip report posted.

    Tyler and I finished our trip last month and it was an absolutely perfect adventure!

    Let me start by giving my sincere thanks to those on this board that offered advice and suggestions and incredibly generous gear donations to help make this trip possible. I can't thank you enough and you played a large part in helping this trip become a reality.
    For those that aren't familiar with our trip you can read a bit more about it here.
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=79156

    This is a pic that helps remind me of where Tyler has been and why this trip was so important to us.
    1 of many days in the hospital

    * My camera got a little off on the dates and times that are stamped on the pics…not sure what happened.

    We planned on a fairly loose itinerary in the Emigrant Wilderness, starting at the Crabtree Trailhead. We decided we'd be out at least 1 night and packed for as many as 3 nights, figuring we'd see how Tyler felt as we went along. This was his first backpacking trip and his first time at altitude since his brain surgery (his doctor gave us the ok). The weather report predicted clear skies, low 70's in the day and 30's at night. They were right on and it was perfect. Not a cloud the entire trip and cool enough for fleece and a campfire at night.

    We picked up our permit at the ranger station on Monday Aug 12th and got to the trailhead a little before 2pm. After some final packing and pack fiddling we got on the trail just before 2:30p.T at Trailhead

    The first mile or so went fast. We passed 2 horse trains coming down and knew immediately why the trail was so dusty. We started the climb and we're passed by a dozen or so dayhikers heading back to the parking lot. We saw no one heading up with us. We didn't realize until we were on our way back how steep and long the fist couple miles of this trail are. Tyler handled them like a champ though. .Dusty uphill
    Smiling through the dustSteep but funNice views!

    We made Camp Lake in about 2 hours.Camp Lake

    It was beautiful! I'd seen pics but they didn't do it justice.
    We dropped our packs and scouted for a good camp spot. I'd been worried that the trail would be very busy and this lake would be particularly busy at this time of the summer, but we had it to ourselves. I was also worried that the mosquitoes would still be an issue, but we didn't seen a single one (until the trip back next to a swampy spot…only about 100 yards and a few bites). We found a great spot and set up camp. Tyler worked on his bear bag handing skills, we filtered water with our Sawyer Squeeze, gathered wood, made a fire and some dinner.FilteringFilteringRoom with a viewBear baggingPCT methodDinner by the fireProud dadFirelight

    We turned in about 9p and slept pretty well. It was just cold enough to justify 30 degree bags and dry enough to leave the fly off the tent so we could see the stars.0 dark 30

    I woke up about 6a Tuesday and left Tyler sleeping. Got a good fire going and enjoyed the silence. We were both surprised at how quiet it was. A few bird chirps in the evening and morning, but not a single cricket, frog or bear growl.
    We had a great bfast, filtered more water and packed up for the trip to Bear Lake where we planned to spend to spend the day exploring.Sleepy headEasy walk to Bear LakeBad day for this guy

    We reached Bear Lake mid morning and found a great spot overlooking the lake. There was 1 group of 4 and a few dayhikers when we arrived but by mid afternoon we had the entire lake to ourselves. We dropped our packs and went for a walk around the lake. Again…more beautiful than I expected. The weather was again perfect.First look at Bear LakeBear LakeI almost stepped on this guy

    After a couple hours of exploring we setup camp and had lunch. Had a fun visit from some local wildlife, hung our bag and just enjoyed the peace and the scenery.Room with a better viewNot his first time with a food bagAnother minute and he'd have found a way inHe found our leftovers when we weren't lookingSoaking our feet in the lake - Cold!He's getting good at thisAfternoon break and journaling time

    We had visit from a ranger at about 8pm. She was checking on permits and said that she had been out for 9 days. She looked like she'd brought dust from every one of those days with her. She was very nice, very dirty and I very much envied her job!
    We had another fire, watched the stars come out and slept well.
    Tyler and I had already decided that we would hike out Wednesday so spent Wednesday morning leisurely packing, having breakfast and filtering water for the journey out. The hike out took us a few hours and had us back to the car by about noon. Along the way we ran into a very small stretch of mosquitoes and Tyler got a few bites (wonder how they like chemo/radiation blood!) but was otherwise pretty uneventful. We had a great conversation about the perfect breed of hiking dog. The dust on way back was thick and the last downhill was waaay steeper than we remembered and the final bridge before the parking lot was a welcome sight. Overall we did about 13 miles. Less than 2 years ago Tyler was in a wheelchair and had to use a walker to get around without falling. 2 years ago he could hardly walk at all from spending so much time in hospital beds and from the surgery/chemo and radiation. It's really an amazing turnaround from where he's been to where we are today. I could not be more proud of his strength and his spirit and his ability to be at the very bottom physically and emotionally and smile through all of it. I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend these 3 days with him and was reminded of how life can change on a dime. You think you have all the time in the world and "maybe next weekend" turns in to next summer or next year. Don't put off these types of experiences. Live like you're dying…cuz as it turns out…you never know when you might be.
    Thanks again to the guys on this board that contributed to this hike!
    Bryan and TylerBear Lake fireSunrise<The trip outimg src="/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1379965502_89634.jpg" alt="Sunrise part 2" width="550" height="413">The stairs...More stairs...Never ending staris....Tree fortThe home stretchThe bridge to civilization

    #2027385
    Steofan M
    BPL Member

    @simaulius

    Locale: Bohemian Alps

    A great chance to 'live in the moment'!
    Looks like a perfect time was had by all, including the marauding chipmunk!

    Please pass along my best wishes to Tyler and your family.
    Steven M.

    #2027386
    Manfred
    BPL Member

    @orienteering

    Hi Bryan,

    I'm so glad to see your trip report about the "Master Hike" with Tyler. Congratulations! Hiking with Tyler to Camp Lake and Bear Lake must have been very exciting after everything you guys went through during the last couple of years.

    Best Regards to you and Tyler!

    Manfred

    #2027401
    Steven Paris
    BPL Member

    @saparisor

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    For Bryan: thanks for sharing this with us. Your words and photos are a good reminder of what's important in life.

    For Tyler: congratulations on your trip! Hanging a bear bag, filtering water, seeing wildlife — it looks like you got to do a lot in a fantastic area. So, what is the perfect breed of dog?

    #2027528
    Edward Z
    BPL Member

    @fuzz

    Locale: Sunny San Diego

    Epic trip and memories that can't be created any other way. Fantastic trip report … flat out fantastic….

    #2027735
    Steve Genest
    Spectator

    @srfish59

    Locale: SoCal

    Very cool…good for you guys!

    #2027738
    Dale Wambaugh
    BPL Member

    @dwambaugh

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Way to go, Dad! Two thumbs up for Tyler too :)

    #2027740
    Angus A.
    BPL Member

    @mangus7175

    Locale: http://theshadedtrail.blogspot.com

    Amazing trip with an amazing kid! Great Job!

    #2027852
    Richard Lyon
    BPL Member

    @richardglyon

    Locale: Bridger Mountains

    Bravi to you both!

    Tyler, you've made my day.

    #2027860
    Luke Schmidt
    BPL Member

    @cameron

    Locale: Alaska

    Very nice to see your trip report. Glad it all worked out so perfectly for your son.

    #2027879
    spelt with a t
    BPL Member

    @spelt

    Locale: Rangeley, ME

    Right on. I'm glad to see this.

    #2027940
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Nice trip, sounds like it was very enjoyable for the both of you, and very glad to hear that.

    #2027953
    K C
    BPL Member

    @kalebc

    Locale: South West

    Great job getting out there, great memories and more to come!

    KC

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...