BACKPACKING—GOOD FOR BODY & SOUL
Earlier this week, JoAnne and I went backpacking up to Weaver Lake in Sequoia National Forest. We hadn’t backpacked for 6 years and wanted to experience it again while we were still able. The climb is considered an “easy” hike because it’s only 3 miles. Still, the elevation increases from about 7200 feet to 8200 feet. With that and my 40-pound pack, I found myself stopping for more breathers & water breaks than I did when I was younger. But JoAnne with her 30-pound pack jogged right along. Plus she had our dog Charlie bouncing here and there at the end of his 16-foot leash.
The hike is terrific, up through meadows, granite outcrops, magnificent pines—even a few sequoias—and across bubbling streams. After 2 hours of climbing we reached Weaver Lake and it looked as beautiful as ever. Medium and giant-sized boulders border much of this sub-alpine lake, but grassy marshes also stretch out from the shore in spots. A grand mountain of broken-up granite slabs rises from its south side. Amazingly, many trees have found enough soil to grow up out of what appears solid rock.
Campin’ Out
We set up camp on the north side of the lake in a spot surrounded by trees where backpackers before us had built a fire pit and positioned logs around it for sitting. Once our packs were off our backs and we’d erected the tent we had a lunch of apples, crackers and peanut butter.
We then settled into a relaxing afternoon. First, we took a short walk down to the lake and stretched out on a flat rock for an hour. Then I took Charlie back to our camp while JoAnne set out to find wood for the evening campfire. (Up here in the national forest, you’re allowed to have campfires, gather wood lying on the ground and bring along your dog. In fact, there are hardly any “rules” at all! Later, the 3 of us took a fun walk half way round the lake.
Surprisingly, there were hardly any other people up here. In past years, some 6-10 other backpacking groups and dozens of day hikers were at the lake. This year we didn’t have one other group camping within eye or earshot of us. Plus, we only saw a few hikers come along, enjoy the lake for a while, then walk back down the trail. And this was the end of July!
JoAnne is in charge of campfires. I’m in charge of treating water and later boiling it to add to our freeze-dried meals. For dinner that night we had pad thai plus brownies that JoAnne had packed in as a surprise. We topped the meal off with shots of brandy and bourbon that we’d brought up in plastic bottles. Later, we sat on our log and gazed dreamily at the campfire. (It’s magical how this can put one into such a peaceful and meditative trance.)
Still, tired from the hike and the altitude we crawled into our tent and down bags early. The sounds of a plane now and then flying far overhead bothered Charlie and he paced the tent until JoAnne finally calmed him down. Having to step out of the tent at night to pee isn’t much fun but it came with one terrific benefit—a sky full of stars shining ten times brighter than at home.
The following morning, JoAnne built a small fire and I “fixed” breakfast by boiling water and adding it to freeze-dried bacon & eggs. On that carefree day we took more short hikes and fit in an hour nap. Complete relaxation up here! Lunch was crackers, peanut butter and an apple again. Dinner was fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and raspberry crumble for dessert (both instant, just adding boiling water) again topped off with brandy and bourbon. JoAnne built another cozy campfire but after a while we again turned in early.
Charlie was a natural hiker. He loved to roam down the trail, jump from boulder to boulder, and cross over streams. JoAnne even taught him to walk along a giant log. He did bark when he saw other hikers or chipmunks or squirrels. And those darn overhead planes spooked him. Still, he was great!
We got up fairly early the following morning. JoAnne fixed a last campfire, I a last meal—bacon & eggs again. We packed up the tent, sleeping bags, cookware and trash into our packs along with a bottle of water each. Then we headed back down the trail for an hour and a half to the truck and the real world.
No Stress!
A major benefit of backpacking and “getting away from it all” is having no obligations to fulfill, little responsibility, and the best part: no communication with the outside world. There’s no Internet or cell service up here, so no constant checking emails or texts or googling for info. JoAnne didn’t even bring her phone and I only had mine to take photos. Heck, just being outside in nature had amazing restorative and stress-relieving powers.
A Good Workout to Boot
Backpacking—and hiking in general—is a powerful cardio workout. Walking on the uneven surfaces of the trail forces your heart to work harder and improves your balance (especially with rock and log hopping while crossing streams with a pack on your back!). Hiking also engages your core muscles and builds strength in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and the muscles in your hips and lower legs.
If you aren’t already taking hikes regularly you may, whatever your age or fitness level, want to try it out. Hiking exists along a continuum—from a gentle walk through a flat meadow all the way to climbing a mountain. The experience is bound to set you into a great mood plus you’ll get the benefit of a workout. You might or might not want to take the bigger step into backpacking with all its joys but also it’s hard slog with a pack on your back. Let me know if you do, and I’ll share my detailed backpacking-supplies list with you.
Happy trails!