Rip & Go

Rip and Go.....

Backpacker Magazine introduced me to this term.

It refers to these shorter backpacking trails that are spread out across the country.

Like many people we hit the trail on the weekends.

Two Lakes Loop is located in Southern Indiana.

It is a 15.7 mile trail that encompasses two lakes and is bisected by a connector trail.

It easily becomes a 20+ miler by hiking in a figure eight pattern.

We arrived after 10:00 PM on Friday night.

Adorned with headlamps we made it to camp and were in our bags by midnight.

Our canine companion isn't a "flatlander".

He carries his own gear, food, and water.....

I left my Leica at home. 

I carried an Olympus OM-D EM-5 with the Panny 20mm f1.7 v.1.

We were home Sunday early enough to attend a dinner party that evening.

Forest Fires and Dirtbagging

We arrived late and spent Thursday night at the Abner Motel in Stanton, Kentucky.

We were looking forward to a great weekend backpacking. 

When we climbed into our tent on Friday night we saw a pretty big fire on the next ridge. 

We didn't think much of it.

We smelled the smoke the next morning.

It was a forest fire. 

The forest service woke everyone up in the middle of the night and made them pack out.

We were camping off the only trail section they didn't check. 

They missed us.

Our route to our vehicle was blocked. 

After doubling back several times passed Ooh La La Rock through the smoke we made it to a road.
I hitched a ride with a ranger to our car.

We then had pizza and Ale at Miguel's Pizza and Rock Climbing.
Afterwards we slept for the night on the side of the road in Daniel Boone National Forest......
true "dirtbag" style.

Links:

Abner Motel

Miguel's Pizza & Rock Climbing

Ale

Red River Gorge

All photos captures with:
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Panny 20mm f1.7 v1

  

  

Chepeta Lake

I'm missing the trail and reminiscing.....

We spent a wonderful evening in alpine conditions up on the mountain.

We trekked up to Chepeta Lake for the night.

Ashley National Forest, Utah

Elevation: 10,560 ft

We spent part of the day hiking around 12,000 ft.

We pitched our tent just below the tree line due to the chance of lightning.

We didn't see another soul on our trip.

Love.....

Contact my friend Joe for a great place to stay in the area:

J/L Ranch

All photos were captured with an Olympus OM-D EM-5 and Panny 20mm f1.7 v1.

Gold Bluffs Beach

My love and I backpacked to Gold Bluffs Beach via the James Irvine trail near Orick, California.

We acquired a backcountry permit from the national park service in order to spend the night.

We watched the sunset before climbing into our sleeping bags.

Leica M9

Voigtlander 35mm Skopar

Missing the Trail

I've been missing you lately in my life......

My wife has been missing you too.

You, me, and my pack.....

We will all be together soon.

Leica M9

Voigtlander 28mm Ultron

JPEG SOOC