Well, Reid has covered the Young Lakes backpacking trip quite well already. I’m not sure if I have anything else to add, really. But it has been a while since the last time I blogged so here I am. Agreed, it was much colder and uphilly-er than anticipated, and the elevation was cause for constant headaches. But I take these hiking pains as learning experiences. There are ways to adjust to the ways of wilderness. But one thing I don’t think I will ever get used to is the lack of toilets.

First, you must find a proper place to do your business, out of harm’s way and other peopar’s view. This deer fails.

And then you are just exposed. To bears. And mosquitoes. If you are like me, they will jump on any opportunity to latch onto that precious bit of flesh you didn’t chemicalize with DEET. In my case this time, my left leg.

Another problem with no toilet? Ever had to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom? Now imagine having this urge out in the woods on a very cold, very dark night, with only a headlamp to guide your way through The Blair Witch Project. And then there are the bears. And Jeebus knows what else. I’m confident I’m not the only one who decided to hold it until morning.

But waking up and splashing the morning out of my eyes in this?

Ha-mazing.

(Thanks to Nelson and Reid for letting me use their photos! My pictures didn’t make the cut for this blog post.)