I had initially planned to do 5 days out, but because I didn't have time to test a lot of my gear beforehand, I knew I might have to abort early. I ended up doing 18-22 miles on the Grubb Loop and Peninsula Trail. My awesome Aussie Cattle Dog Mix, Dingo, joined me for the hike.
The trail was very muddy in places (it's open to horse traffic, which does a number on the trail). At some point about halfway to the intersection with the Peninsula trail, I must have gotten off path and onto a game trail. I didn't realize until a couple miles in, so I triangulated my position and headed what I thought to be north. Turned out, my compass was on the fritz and I ended up hiking up and down a bunch of pretty steep and nasty knobs trying to get back on trail, stopping every 5 minutes to pick the ticks off my dog and I.
Eventually, I got back on the Grubb trail, and just as the sun was setting, made it to the beach of Lake Monroe and my campsite. A nasty storm front was coming in at the same time, so I only had time to pitch my tarp, hammock, and lay down my groundsheet. I'd planned on getting into camp 4 hours earlier, adapting a Coughlan's bug net, and rigging it to a ridgeline, then making some spam and mashed potatoes for dinner. While waiting for the rain to stop, I dozed off.
Couple hours later, I woke up and found that my fuel bottle had burst on the way in, so I'd have to make a fire. It was tough with everything soaked, but I managed. However, I ended up not being such a fan of spam, so I ate what I could stomach and gave the rest to the dog.
I slept well enough. At first, I was okay with just my fleece sleeping bag (50deg). But once the storms really picked up, I was getting some CBS, so I threw a nylon-backed fleece blanket under the bag That seemed to do the trick. It was supposed to be rigged as an UQ, but I didn't have time to do it. Thankfully, the bugs weren't a problem, so I didn't end up needed a net.
Next morning, I hiked back out to my car (which I accidentally parked on private property, but thankfully wasn't towed). This was also my first hike since childhood, and it definitely took a toll on my knees and back. Hiking poles are next on my list of things to buy.
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as you know i was there the following day and kuddos for the bushwaking and getting there regardless! it was beautiful there on the lake.. hiking poles for me are a must, i would rather be using my walking stick, but due to size age and well lack of ability i use poles! keep at it and who knows maybe we can hang over the summer?
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