Pacific Crest Trail Association annual meeting April 28, 2018

Rick's October 1982 solo trip on the Pacific Crest Trail, covering the distance of about 70 miles from Sonora Pass to Echo Summit. I bought the pack new and unfortunately didn't consider the hype about it's design. I ended up carrying the entire weight of my gear on my shoulders because the hip belt was nearly useless. After this trip, I got rid of the pack and went back to my older one, which I had kept.

Rick attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, in Sacramento. When he worked on the trail crew for the Toiyabe National Forest in the summer of 1982, he got paid to go backpacking out on Mondays and return on Fridays for a couple of months. During that summer, he worked on portions of the PCT, mainly in California's Alpine County. After the seasonal job ended, Rick went back to hike from Sonora Pass to Echo Summit by himself, covering about 70 miles, with most of the trail distance being familiar already.

We have also hiked the Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon National Park, which includes a portion of the PCT. We got a twin selfie shot of us two at the high point of the loop at Glen Pass.

Rick has also hiked a portion of the PCT farther south with a friend, through the Evolution Valley area. We'd like to hike at least the length of the Sierra Nevada soon.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Happy Earth Day 2018 from the Robinson Twins

Happy Earth Day 2018

from

The Robinson Twins

We're standing in Twisted Doughnut Arch with Delicate Arch beyond, in Arches National Park, during Spring 2017. Bob's in the center and Rick's holding a tripod.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Half Dome from the east, looking west

This is the view of Half Dome from the east along the trail that leads to the top of Half Dome. We took two days to reach the top.  On the first day, we hiked past Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall to set up camp in Little Yosemite Valley. This second day we continued the hike, unencumbered by backpacks, to the top. After enjoying some time at the top of Half Dome, we headed back down, packed up our gear, then made it back out to Yosemite Valley. From the other side, the side most people see, it looks like solid rock. From the east side, though, Half Dome looks like a big onion with layers peeling off. That's the way granite erodes, through a process called exfoliation.

Photo of Rick on his way up the cables to the top of Half dome

We heard some other people who were headed to the top exclaim at this view and decide to give up and turn around. Before reaching the base of Half Dome, the trail leads to the "Quarter Dome", also known as the "Sub Dome" seen at the left edge of this image. In some ways, the part of the hike that goes up the Quarter Dome is the scariest part of the hike, because it's steep but there's no railing or cable to hold on to. Plus, hikers are going in both directions. Upon reaching the saddle between the Quarter Dome and Half Dome, you arrive at the base of the cables that lead to the top. Some other hikers made it that far, but after looking up at how steep the way to the top was, decided to head turn around. It is rather intimidating, but we've made it to the top three times...so far.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Point Mariah panorama, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, Soda Springs, California

We had been meaning for years to visit the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort in Soda Springs, California to experience what it's like to cross country ski at a resort.  Most of our skiing has been on trails in national parks or national forests.  The winter of 2017-18 had been pretty dry until good storms in March finally built up the snowpack.  So, in late March, we spent a day skiing at this resort and our intended destination on their trail system was Point Mariah, since it overlooks the Royal Gorge that the resort is named for.  It turns out that the Royal Gorge is the entire headwaters area of the North Fork of the American River.

This panorama is a merger of several vertical shots.

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story.