On Wednesday 30 July 2014 a FWC eagle on a F150 found a campsite in The Bridger-Teton National Forest's Green River Lakes Campground. We had our basecamp here for a few days. The next morning as we were loading our packs for a long day hike, Matt from New York state introduced himself and asked if he and his wife Terry could see our camper and ask some questions. They had just picked up their eagle shell from the FWC dealer in Wisconsin and this was their maiden voyage. They had all the questions we all had when we were starting out. Matt said he wasn't especially handy so when they decide on changes/modifications they'd just drive out to California so I can help.
What they didn't need help on was planning adventures. These guys know how to do it. From the Finger Lakes area, they are seasoned canoe travelers. Last summer's big trip was was an 18 day wilderness canoe trip in the Yukon. They also backpack and were starting an 18 day backback of the entire Highline trail in the Wind River Range from Green River Lakes to the Big Sandy Opening. They carry 6 days of food and had placed two caches (each with 6 days) in at two trailheads along the route that they will hike out to grab. At the completion of the trip they will hike in and retrieve the cache containers.
Later in the day, after we had explored the Upper Green River Lake area, we met them on the trail and enjoyed hiking about a mile with them. We were happy to fill them in with details on sections of the Highline, including a couple of off trail routes into areas not to be missed. We were so excited about their trip and the areas they will visit we wished we could join them!
They had hired an outfitting company to move their truck from the Green River Lakes trailhead to the Big Sandy opening. Tuesday 5 August it was in Pinedale, Wyoming.
The plan is three days at the starting trailhead - in case of an abort or turn around, then a safe place in Pinedale, and then three days at the ending trailhead - in case of an early exit. As I said, these guys are great planners. In four days, on the 16th, they should be completing this adventure.
We know they got lots of rain, but these two are seasoned explorers. We hope they had a grand adventure. Any day in the mountains, no matter the conditions, is so much better than a day......................................................