Base Camp Story
Due to an injury, Kristi and I decided to stay behind and hang out at camp. We arrived at camp as the hiking crew was taking off.
We exchanged a quick greeting, agreed on using the 2M national calling frequency to keep in contact and then they were off to hike. Kristi and I set off to get our camp set up but we did not get far as a couple of late arrivals needed to get hooked up with the hikers.
While I got the late arrivals hooked up, Kristi found us a nice spot to camp. We got busy setting up camp and enjoying the beautiful day; We tossed around a baseball, explored the campsite, read, made lunch, Kristi napped and I played around with my amateur radio gear.
I deployed my
2M/440 Elk Antenna and established communication with 1leg (Jerry) through the Monument Peak repeater. (Jerry was hanging back in Escondido and had offered his assistance if needed.) I figured out how to use the dual watch function on my handheld transceiver and this allowed me to keep in touch with the hiking crew and Jerry throughout the day. (Note that I did lose contact with the hiking crew when they dropped down the backside of the mountain.)
Our nice day was interrupted by a Ranger and he got me up to speed on the park rules. (Read--Make sure that you know the rules before you go! Fires in a metal container, no dogs on trail, vehicles are to be parked one vehicles width from the trail/road and away from vegetation.)
The hiking crew made it back, checked to see if I had dipped into their beers, and set off to make dinner. After dinner, we gathered around the campfire and enjoyed one of the best parts of camping--making new friends.
Morning came much too fast and folks packed up and hit the road. Colen (Von Petrol), Kristi and I decided to do a little off roading and exploring before we hit the road. We set off and checked out the various trails and campsites in the area and then headed into Borrego for a late lunch.
We split off from Colen and headed for home through Julian. Julian was beautiful as more than a foot of snow was still on the ground. I was tempted to look for a hotel but we shot through town and made our way home.
It was great meeting everyone and we look forward to sharing a campfire with you in the future.