Backpacking with DAD!

Last week my dad and I spent four days backpacking through California near Yosemite National Park.

Day 1:

Arrived at Summit Base Camp and learned everything we needed to know about surviving in the wilderness for the next 4 days. We packed our backpacks...and I am estimating that they were between 40 and 50 pounds. Lets just say it was a challenge not to tumble backwards with it on. We then took an hour ride to the trailhead where we would set off on our journey. On the first hike we didnt go very far, but the hike was very steep. We got to our destination and set up camp. We then cooked chicken burritos for dinner. Not the worst thing I've ever had, but I got tired of canned chicken real fast.

Day 2:

This day we had a much longer hike, about 2 miles to our next campsite. Now this doesn't sound too hard, but keep in mind the following: we were at over 8,000 feet in elevation and carrying 40 pound packs. Let's just say my lungs couldn't keep up with my legs. Our next camping location was right next to a lake. It was so refreshing to go for a swim! The water was freezing, but it felt great! The other girl on the trip, Ali, brought some "illegal substances" aka shampoo which was greatly appreciated when we got to wash up. Later that evening storm clouds started rolling in. According to our instructors "It NEVER rains in the Sierras in July." Well these clouds decided to camp out right over our heads for a few hours and we saw lightening in the distance. So we pitched the tents incase it started to storm and were instructed on "lightning drill." Thankfully the storm clouds passed and the lightening never got too close.

Day 3:

Today was a very busy day! We got up and hiked a few miles down to our final campsite at the base of The Golden Toad. We then hiked a little more to get to our rock climbing spot. We spent a few hours climbing and then went back to the Toad where we would repel! This was by far the coolest thing of the whole trip. We tied a special knot onto each of the four fixed lines. This know would allow you to slide it up the rope, but if you slipped, it would tighten up and catch you. I was the first one of our group to go, and we were basically scrambling up boulders to get to the top. Once everyone in our group made it to the top, it was time to repel. We were repelling off of a 200 foot cliff! It was very intimidating, but VERY cool! Later that night while sitting around the campfire, some people in our group heard a "visitor" who wanted to join the party. By the time the turned the flash lights on, it was gone. But supposedly they could hear footsteps and heavy breathing...and our instructors said it was probably a black bear. Nevertheless...it freaked me out. I made dad check behind the bushes before we got into our sleeping bags.

Day 4:

I survived the night. No sign of a bear. We woke up really early this morning because we had to meet up with all of the other groups at 7 for a worship service on the side of the mountain. Then we hiked a little further and finally got back on the buses. We drove back to base camp and unloaded our gear and then had a wonderful pizza lunch by the lake. I was not planning on swimming...but got thrown in anyways....I was not too happy about that. When we FINALLY got back to our hotel it felt so so so wonderful to take a shower! hallelujah! After getting cleaned up we ate dinner at In-N-Out burgers and went bowling. It was a great way to end the trip with the wonderful people we had gotten to know!