My first solo backpack and my last trip with a 30 lb pack

Blogging Lesson #1: I can't wait too long to blog about a trip. My memory is worse than I thought. I'm sorry in advance if this entry is a bit sparse.

A few weeks ago I decided to get out and explore an area called the LT Murray Wildlife Area. I had heard about this little area east of Ellensburg a few times, but I couldn't find much information about it online. I was looking for a good place to take my first solo 3-day backpacking trip and after going to REI with no luck and spending hours online, I found this map that made me even more excited.

How amazing is this? Miles and miles of interconnected dirt roads to explore and dispersed camping anywhere you like.

This trip was a pretty big adventure for me. I had been feeling overwhelmed with all of the breakup-related and new things going on in my life, so the idea of being alone for a few days was too much to resist. A friend from work -Janet, you are the best!- let me borrow a car and Saturday morning I set off.

The trail started in Robinson Canyon...

What is going on here? 

I quickly tired of the gentle grade through the canyon and decided to test out my orienteering skills by climbing up the side of the canyon to find another connecting road.

After hiking in large circles for about 15 miles, I was ready to take a break. It had been cloudy for most of the afternoon, so when the sun finally broke I was more than ready to rest and read some lesbian fiction (my favorite genre).

And make dinner...

Fancy set-up, eh?

After refueling both emotionally (thanks to Jeanette Winterson) and physically (thanks to Hormel), I got back on the trail. I had already backpacked pretty far, so I decided to start moving back towards the car to find a camping spot for the night. Having overestimated my orienteering skills, I eventually got lost and had to bushwhack my way down the side of a canyon.

That evening I camped, ate more chili, read more Winterson, and planned my route for the following day. I set out early in the morning and planned to make it at least another 15 miles that day. Unfortunately, the weather got worse and I got stuck in my tiny tent for 5 hours waiting out the rain. I had finished my book the previous evening and had nothing to do but nap, eat, and watch the ants crawl across my tent.

Finally the rain broke just in time for me to spend the next 3 hours looking for a camping site before it got dark. I was feeling a bit let-down because I couldn't hike as far as I had wanted and loneliness had started to set in while I was stuck in my tent. I almost hiked back to the car and went home early, but I decided to stick it out for the night and look for a camp site.

As I was walking, I rounded a corner and saw a small hill leading up to my left. I was curious to see if the top of the hill would give me a good view of Ellensburg, so I decided to check it out. Once I got to the top I knew that this had to be my campsite. The view was incredible.

There's my giant backpack and that's without my tent or sleeping bag attached to the outside.

This picture pretty much sums up the reason why I backpack. Can you see the rainbow?

Overall, this was a great trip. I wish I remembered more details and could relate them to you now. It was refreshing to be out here with only my thoughts for company.

Next time I will blog either on the trail or immediately after getting home. Lesson learned.

Rob