Countless hours of research took place this off season. My pack, trekking poles, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, optics, cookware, food, etc. all have a purpose and I hope can stand up to the conditions I put them through. The only negative was having to buy everything. Although, I did do my best to bargain shop. I went from being content with living out of an RV, with basically all the same amenities as home for a few days, to wanting to sleep on the ground in a bottomless tent in one year.
I took this photo last month when I went up just to see what the back pack felt like with some weight in it. I also took the dog along for the journey and he loved the fact that he got to play in the water all day. We jumped a couple deer that I was never able to identify. Bandon,(my dog) tried really hard to find a chimpmunk or a squirrel. We covered about 11 miles that day and Bandon may of went 20. 
Looking forward to reporting back next week. Hopefully I will have some great photos of some high country California Mule Deer.
On Rock
