Thursday, March 23, 2006
Just One More Week
I spent a good portion of tonight preparing for next week's trip including the route planning. I have plotted our course to and from New Mexico using Microsoft MapPoint. Take a look if you are interested.
Also, I have it on good authority that Scott's buddy Clay will be flying into Austin from Las Vegas next week and then joining us for the road trip to Thompson Mountain. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is. You may remember Clay was a member of the 2001 expedition where they got close, but unfortunately, never made it to the property. I'm sure he is as excited as all of us to get out there and touch all four corners. This brings the total number of adventurers to 6.
Part of tonight was spent putting together the geocache for the top of Thompson Mountain. Since this is going to be a very difficult find in the middle of nowhere, I think it needs to be extra special. What should go in a cache of this caliber to make it worthwhile? Post your ideas in the comments.
As far as our series of weekly hikes go, this Saturday, Scott and I will be spending the entire day at Bastrop State Park. We plan on meeting up with Terrain Association classes throughout the day (and part of the night) for meals and to say hi. Derrick will be teaching the Intermediate, Advanced, and Night Navigation Courses out there this Saturday. If you have ever had a desire to learn navigation skills, this would be a good day to do it since there is a volume discount for attending multiple classes. I learned a tremendous amount from Derrick last Spring and Summer and I would not be as well prepared for this New Mexico trip without his instruction.
If the weather holds up, then Saturday should be a pretty chilly day. This is good news for us since the New Mexico nights will be cold and we need as much preparation as possible.
I can feel the excitement growing. I am so ready for this trip.
Also, I have it on good authority that Scott's buddy Clay will be flying into Austin from Las Vegas next week and then joining us for the road trip to Thompson Mountain. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is. You may remember Clay was a member of the 2001 expedition where they got close, but unfortunately, never made it to the property. I'm sure he is as excited as all of us to get out there and touch all four corners. This brings the total number of adventurers to 6.
Part of tonight was spent putting together the geocache for the top of Thompson Mountain. Since this is going to be a very difficult find in the middle of nowhere, I think it needs to be extra special. What should go in a cache of this caliber to make it worthwhile? Post your ideas in the comments.
As far as our series of weekly hikes go, this Saturday, Scott and I will be spending the entire day at Bastrop State Park. We plan on meeting up with Terrain Association classes throughout the day (and part of the night) for meals and to say hi. Derrick will be teaching the Intermediate, Advanced, and Night Navigation Courses out there this Saturday. If you have ever had a desire to learn navigation skills, this would be a good day to do it since there is a volume discount for attending multiple classes. I learned a tremendous amount from Derrick last Spring and Summer and I would not be as well prepared for this New Mexico trip without his instruction.
If the weather holds up, then Saturday should be a pretty chilly day. This is good news for us since the New Mexico nights will be cold and we need as much preparation as possible.
I can feel the excitement growing. I am so ready for this trip.
