Backpacking Trip

Last week, March 27 - 29, I went on a backpacking trip with Ben Hess and Rich Wathen. We went to a place in southeastern Ohio called Shawnee State Forest. We planned a 40 mile loop trail that we backpacked in three days. It was a rugged trail to begin with with a lot of ridges to climb, streams to continually cross, and ravines to traverse. The fact that it had been raining the day before and that day and the creeks had risen to a high level, and the trails had become very muddy made it that much more difficult. At least we were all in good shape and up for the challenge! On the first day we hiked 12 miles. The second we did 18 miles and the third 10 miles.

Day 1:
The Beech leaves were pretty. We had MANY views like this!!!

Ben doing one of the MANY challenging creek crossings!!!

Another creek crossing.
(Picture by Ben Hess)

Because of all the rain the trail often times became a secondary stream!
(Picture by Ben Hess)

On the top of one of the many ridges that we were on!
(Picture by Ben Hess)

Ben Hess and I about a half mile away from our first nights camp.
(Picture by Rich Wathen)

Thursday nights camp. This was at the end of day one.
Notice the smoke from the wood? Ben tried hard to get a fire
going but it was raining and the wood was too wet.

Day 2:
Ben Hess going up a ridge ahead. We had already done a REALLY big
climb to get to this point!!!

I was trying to figure out how to get across yet another stream!
(Picture by Ben Hess)

A pretty Hemlock grove.

Ben and I.
(Picture by Rich Wathen)

Ben crossing on some logs.

This was a large creek. The log is about 10 feet above the water.
It was challenging to compensate balance and judgment for our packs!
(Picture by Ben Hess)

Taking a short break!

Ben and Rich.

Rich and I at our second campsite. This was the prettiest one. We were
in a hemlock grove at the juncture of two streams.
(Picture by Ben Hess)

Ben and I at our second campsite.
(Picture by Rich Wathen)

Our second camp. It had stopped raining in the late morning so we were
able to find some dry wood and have a fire!!!

Day 3 was much dryer and the easiest part of the trail was at the end. Not nearly as many up and down ridges or tough ravines with streams to work through! Overall it was just great to get outdoors and enjoy God's creation and time with friends!!!