flyingwil
Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
I was on the waiting list go to WMI's WFA class in Golden, CO. and I was able to get into the class over Easter weekend. So off I went! :victory:
Here is my spot tracking (merged into one):
I left early morning on Friday (about 1am), and played FedExPo, to drop some things off for some cool dudes in North Phoenix, and Flagstaff. Then began the pavement pounding to Boulder, CO. What can I say the drive was long and boring with the sun rising in my face!
I wasn't able to find any campsites near the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds, in Golden, CO. So I set up camp in Bear Creek. The campsites themselves were not for me (I much prefer backcountry camping), but the proximity to the WFA class rocked! I was able to get to the Campsite to Class in about 10 Min. making the commute easy.
The class itself was great, and a lot to learn very quick. My classmates were great as well, as it was a good mix of WFA's and WFR re-certs. This made the scenario's more fun as we would pair up a WFR and WFA, and we both learned from each other.
I was able to meet Matt (Jacket), and we went for a bite to eat over at the Morrison Inn... Margarita's were served in 32oz mugs!!! :coffeedrink:
After I got my piece of paper it then was a made scramble to Moab to rendezvous with Nic (Willman) at 10:00pm. Let me remind you my class ended at 5:00pm in Boulder. Well the pass on over to Vail was eventful, with the freezing rain turning to snow... luckly none of the traffic accidents involved me! Coming out of the tunnel we were at a snails pace as I second guessed my snow driving skills. Finally around 11:00pm I met Nic to set up camp south of the airport near Moab.
Monday we set forth to conquer the white rim trail. We checked in the visitor center to obtain our permits, and reserve our camp site (labyrinth B) which was one of the two they had remaining. The ranger ask for our route and told us that we could not do it in a day, as we smiled and nodded. We finally hit the trail just before noon, and did indeed make it to camp prior to sunset. We met some cool people along the way, some that knew the AT boy's, and some in a Sportsmobile.
This morning we woke up and ran the remainder of the trail, and fueled up to hit Hell's Revenge and part ways. All in all it was a great trip, accomplishing the two major goals for the trip; WFA, and meet up with Nic.
Pics soon to follow (uploading now).
Here is my spot tracking (merged into one):
I left early morning on Friday (about 1am), and played FedExPo, to drop some things off for some cool dudes in North Phoenix, and Flagstaff. Then began the pavement pounding to Boulder, CO. What can I say the drive was long and boring with the sun rising in my face!
I wasn't able to find any campsites near the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds, in Golden, CO. So I set up camp in Bear Creek. The campsites themselves were not for me (I much prefer backcountry camping), but the proximity to the WFA class rocked! I was able to get to the Campsite to Class in about 10 Min. making the commute easy.
The class itself was great, and a lot to learn very quick. My classmates were great as well, as it was a good mix of WFA's and WFR re-certs. This made the scenario's more fun as we would pair up a WFR and WFA, and we both learned from each other.
I was able to meet Matt (Jacket), and we went for a bite to eat over at the Morrison Inn... Margarita's were served in 32oz mugs!!! :coffeedrink:
After I got my piece of paper it then was a made scramble to Moab to rendezvous with Nic (Willman) at 10:00pm. Let me remind you my class ended at 5:00pm in Boulder. Well the pass on over to Vail was eventful, with the freezing rain turning to snow... luckly none of the traffic accidents involved me! Coming out of the tunnel we were at a snails pace as I second guessed my snow driving skills. Finally around 11:00pm I met Nic to set up camp south of the airport near Moab.
Monday we set forth to conquer the white rim trail. We checked in the visitor center to obtain our permits, and reserve our camp site (labyrinth B) which was one of the two they had remaining. The ranger ask for our route and told us that we could not do it in a day, as we smiled and nodded. We finally hit the trail just before noon, and did indeed make it to camp prior to sunset. We met some cool people along the way, some that knew the AT boy's, and some in a Sportsmobile.
This morning we woke up and ran the remainder of the trail, and fueled up to hit Hell's Revenge and part ways. All in all it was a great trip, accomplishing the two major goals for the trip; WFA, and meet up with Nic.
Pics soon to follow (uploading now).
