Items Inspired by the Great Outdoors

Gifts for the outdoor adventurer available here.

Adventure Time: Rock Climbing

Cameron's been itching to go rock climbing and so last weekend we decided to go on an adventure!  Early Saturday morning we headed to Mission Trails and hiked up the Climbers Loop Trail.  We didn't make it there quite early enough (I'm not a morning person) and other climbers had set up at some of the better spots.  Cameron can't lead since breaking his arms a couple years ago so we had to find a top rope climb. We ended up at "Nob Job" (free guide available here http://members.cox.net/sandiegorock/index.html) and a couple friends joined us. Cameron taught me to belay so he could climb too.  We had a great time and can't wait to go again!

This is Cameron "saving" me when the rope got stuck and I couldn't move.

The Adventurous Rabbit survived her first backpacking trip!

This trip was primarily to test out my gear in preparation for joining Cameron on the John Muir Trail in August.  The trail we hiked is a section of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Caliente Wilderness.  Right away I learned the importance of proper weight placement in my pack.  The weight was too low and the straps dug into my shoulders.  We stopped for lunch and I had Mountain House Macaroni and Cheese that tasted a lot like Easy Mac, but much more filling.  After we remedied the weight issue we continued hiking. The trail was hot with limited shade and wind.  The countless bees provided motivation to hike faster past the wildflowers. After hiking about 6 miles we took a side trail to where a creek would have been earlier in the season and set up camp.  My dinner consisted of Backpacker's Pantry Pesto Salmon Pasta which was surprisingly good.  I was exhausted and ready for bed right after dinner. I can't say I slept well.  Even though I had a pad under my sleeping bag I felt the hardness of the ground.  We got an early start and made great time on the 6 miles back to the car.  I was also cursing obnoxious flies that kept buzzing around my head the entire way back.  Although I was pretty sore by the time we were done, it was a great experience!

*for more information on backpacking and hiking check out Cameron's blog:

http://unorthodoxhiker.wordpress.com/