Day 1

Wow, the sun sure comes up early in camp...

By now the crew has arisen, hit the showers one last time and taken in their last warm breakfast. Last minute gear check, loaded up the packs, and prepped before they form a pack line at the welcome center for the trail bound bus. Gee, that pack sure weighs a lot heavier than yesterday. FYI - most packs will weigh from 45-60 lbs depending on what gear they are hauling and how much food/water they take. This morning they are loading up on the buses, bid farewell to hot meals, soft beds and running toilets and will head out to Lover's Leap turnaround (dusty old bus ride) and then unload their gear for the trail. After about an hour's worth of instruction from their ranger, they will "pack on" and head up the trail to Lover's Leap camp.

The first day on the trail will be fairly light. Expect to hike about 3-4 miles to camp with a fairly mild increase in elevation. Along the path, they will get to stop over at Lover's Leap for a majestic view of the base camp. Should be in camp by early afternoon. The first day will be geared towards ranger instructions and how to function on the trial (meal preparation, water treatment, setting up camp, etc.). Your son is learning a whole new lingo at this point and will come home with a definite appreciation of the "finer" things at home. By now, they have learn how to set up camp, use a "red roof inn", hang a bear bag, sterilize water and how to sump their meals.

Coming from the Gulf Coast, it may take a little while to get used to the elevation (7,000 ft+), the trail, and a 45-50 lb pack weight, but I am sure that they are having a great time. The key is to work together as a team and 12 days on the trail will test everyone's spirit/mettle.

Chance favors the prepared mind....