JohnK

Hello everyone!

I have received Shannon's newsletter for years and finally decided to take a look at the forums. I liked what I saw so much, I joined and just jumped right in without even a hello. How rude of me! Please accept my apology. I'm really not an intrusive person.

Anyway, those who took a look at my posts have probably gathered that I love the outdoors and try to spend as much time with mother nature as possible. My interests relevant to this forum include, backpacking, camping with friends and family, kayaking, photography, conservation and everything pertaining to natural history: wildlife/birding, botany, geology.

I am 51 (going on 25 ), married and have two daughters, ages 19 and 13.

I have a non-commercial website on which I post some of my stuff. You can see photos and commentary from my two Guadalupe Mountains backpacking trips at: Back to Nature Just click on the photos of El Capitan for my first trip and Dog Canyon for the second. The photo between the two goes to a family trip (not camping) to Oregon. It ain't Texas, but it ain't half bad either.

Many thanks to Shannon for an awesome site! I plan to stick around. Hope to make a contribution now and then, maybe even a useful one occasionally.

JohnK

Shannon

A very hearty and belated formal welcome to Wild Texas, John. We've exchanged emails on some gremlins the site served up for you initially, but I think I was remiss in formally welcoming you to the site. We're glad to have you!

Your mention of the newsletter reminds me it's be sorely lacking in updates for some time now. I'll have to dust off my newsletter writing muscles and get back to doing that!

Thanks for the formal intro thread, and once again, welcome to the site!

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com
http://www.twitter.com/ageekgal

srds

Welcome and glad you joined in,look foward to seeing more from you.
srds
Have Fun

Motorman355

Excellent posts already JohnK. I was about to jump into a December Guadalupe backpacking trip due to your photos from your Dog Canyon trip. If a thirteen year old could do it, why not I? I then read up on your first trip and easily saw myself in some of your hiking partners. I first probably need to do some training.

It is amazing the difference between the north and southside of the mountains.

JohnK

Thank you all for the kind words and warm welcome!

Motorman355, do the training and go for it! You will love the Guadalupes.
Yes, there is a considerable difference between the north and south sides of the mountains.

JohnK

JohnK

Speaking of training, my New Year's resolution was to train for another GMNP backpacking trip for sometime this summer. So far, so good. Having one of these trips planned is a better motivator to stay in shape than the PFTs (physical fitness tests) were when I was in the Navy.

I'd like to make a trip out there sometime to see the Fall colors, but I really enjoy the solitude of the backcountry during the summer. I understand it can be fairly busy out there when the maples are turning. Have any of you been into the GMNP backcountry during the Fall? If so, how crowded was it?

JohnK

Maury

Greetings JohnK,
Thanks for posting the link to your hiking journal! I really enjoyed the "escape" from my Monday while reading it. Hats off to you for carrying that huge tent on a back pack trip.
I have a 10 year old son who loves the outdoors and hiking also. We like the winter and cooler months for backpack trips. My old body hates the heat!
Looking forward to more of your trip reports!

Maury

JohnK

Maury,

I'm thrilled you enjoyed my report!

With regard to my admittedly over-the-top tent, I own a smaller one, but really wanted my daughter to be comfortable since it was her first trip. In light of the storm that hit on our second night, it was nice to have the space to have our packs "indoors". If she decides to go with me again this summer, I'll probably take the big tent again, 'cuz weather in the Guadalupes tends to be unpredictable. If we were planning a hike-thru instead of an out and in I'd probably reconsider and take the smaller tent.

Where do you and your son like to backpack?

John

Maury

Greetings John,
Sorry for the very slow reply! I thought i was subscribed to this thread but missed your post!
Big Bend is a favorite and Bear Creek in CO is really nice. We have only done day hikes so far this winter... like Lost Maples and Government canyon. After reading your great blog we hope to do Guadalupe Mtns before the warm weather!
happy hiking to ya,
Maury