The Backpacking Trip that Never Happened

Recent events lead me to this post.  My friend Mike gave me the idea for this post or else the world would never have known about the trip that never happened.

I had been planning on taking a short overnight trip to the San Gregornio Wilderness this week on account of my week off of work for Thanksgiving (I love teaching!).  The goal was to take my dog and hike up the Momyer Trail to Alger Creek and camp somewhere around that area.  The weather had been cold and so I was planning for winter conditions.  I asked my wife to sew a thermal for my dog and to fix his sweater so he would be prepared as well.

I had recently acquired a few more items for my kit:  Black Diamond Headlamp, Collapsible dog bowl and water bowl, new long underwear top and bottom.  I got all my stuff together and was ready to head out.

I love winter hiking/packing and was looking forward to the first winter trip.  I put my gear in the car, including my wife's camera, and started the engine to warm it up (there was ice on the door jambs and windows).  Little did I know that I was being watched that Monday morning.

I proceeded into the house to get my dog ready and prepare their breakfast.  I couldn't have been in the house more than five minutes.  I went outside to turn the car off..... and to my horror there WAS NO CAR!

Some jack ass had taken my car, all my packing gear, and other miscellaneous car items and taken off for the proverbial hills!  I guess people are bolder than they ever have been if someone can just jump in another mans car and take off.

I called the cops and reported it, taking a half hour or so to tell the officer who came by the whole, short story.  I couldn't believe it!  Here I had planned this great trip, two days after my birthday, and instead of enjoying the crisp mountain air I had to describe my vehicle to the local police and sit around my house all day with my thumb up my butt waiting for any word.

Thankfully, my friend Mike had borrowed my water purification system, tent, and stove for a trip not too long ago, so the incident wasn't a total loss.  The damn thieves got my treking poles, cook set, sleeping bag, pad, liner, bear knife, bladder bag, water bottles, miscellaneous clothes, mag light, headlamp, emergency kit, backpack, and my extra mid sized pack.  I am now down to nothing.  A tent, water purification system, daypack, stove, and a few pots that I didn't pack.

My life as a backpacker is on hold for the moment thanks to these thieving ass holes.  It will be summer before I even have enough gear to take another trip!  Most of my gear was old thankfully, and had been on my list for replacement......eventually.  But I guess I will be starting the replacement process sooner than I thought.

A little more good news is that neither of my pairs of barefoot shoes were in the car.  I still have my KSO's and also my new Treksports, which i was wearing that morning.  If they had been taken as well I think I would have gone crazy.

I still can't believe it. All my stuff, with years spent gathering and perfecting, gone.  I guess I will have to start from scratch.  Make a list, prioritize, and then start buying gear, piece by piece until I am back up and running.  If there is anyone out there who is either a millionaire or wants to donate to a good cause,  I can oblige you!  Please give to the "Andy is in need of backpacking gear because his got stolen by a jackwad" foundation!  I will be eternally grateful.

Well, time to pick myself up, brush myself off, and keep on treking.

Until next time (which will not be until who knows when).

Andy