Solo backpacking in the Ozarks (pic heavy)

[eddie1115]

Well, this was two weeks ago, but I'm just now going back over the photos, so I thought I'd share.  I posted a few pics in the Recent Outdoor Activities thread, but figured I'd add more here.

I went down to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri for an overnight, my first solo backpacking trip (had a group trip planned in Arkansas, but everyone bailed ).  As a compromise to my wife, I decided to stick with one night this first time.

Drove down in the afternoon, then set out for a couple hours before making camp.




Before stopping for the night, I found the best water source so far (not running, but cold and clear), and had dinner on the trail.

Debut of my Sawyer Mini, really enjoyed the simplicity of it.


Hiked a bit more then set up camp and hung the bear bag.  Quickly got into my bag as the low for the night was right around freezing.



Quick pocket dump before bed, of things carried on-person.  Bandana, compass, map, whistle, lighter, chapstick, "fire kit" with SAK Bushcrafter, ferro rod, and capsule with vaseline-soaked cotton balls, as well as my phone for camera/gps.


Breakfast in the morning and then off to see the sights.  It was a state park with some castle ruins (only about 100 years old, but still cool for me) and a natural spring.

I looped back by the Jeep and switched to the daypack   Basically dumped the tent/sleeping gear and shoved everything else into an old backpack.








Then headed home to see the kids before bedtime   Overall, I had a blast.  Definitely caught a bug for solo trips and hope to have more this season (and hopefully reschedule that group trip as well).

[Obi1shinobee]

Well, this was two weeks ago, but I'm just now going back over the photos, so I thought I'd share.  I posted a few pics in the Recent Outdoor Activities thread, but figured I'd add more here.

I went down to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri for an overnight, my first solo backpacking trip (had a group trip planned in Arkansas, but everyone bailed ).  As a compromise to my wife, I decided to stick with one night this first time.

Drove down in the afternoon, then set out for a couple hours before making camp.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Before stopping for the night, I found the best water source so far (not running, but cold and clear), and had dinner on the trail.
(Image removed from quote.)
Debut of my Sawyer Mini, really enjoyed the simplicity of it.
(Image removed from quote.)

Hiked a bit more then set up camp and hung the bear bag.  Quickly got into my bag as the low for the night was right around freezing.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Quick pocket dump before bed, of things carried on-person.  Bandana, compass, map, whistle, lighter, chapstick, "fire kit" with SAK Bushcrafter, ferro rod, and capsule with vaseline-soaked cotton balls, as well as my phone for camera/gps.
(Image removed from quote.)

Breakfast in the morning and then off to see the sights.  It was a state park with some castle ruins (only about 100 years old, but still cool for me) and a natural spring.
(Image removed from quote.)
I looped back by the Jeep and switched to the daypack   Basically dumped the tent/sleeping gear and shoved everything else into an old backpack.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Then headed home to see the kids before bedtime   Overall, I had a blast.  Definitely caught a bug for solo trips and hope to have more this season (and hopefully reschedule that group trip as well).

Nice pics Eddie , look like you have great time 

[Higgins617]

Awesome pics my man, I'm jealous once again! Hopefully soon I'll get out there and not have to leave!

[Grathr]

That looks like a great hike!
Thanks for sharing!



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[DazMechanical]

Looks like you had a blast Eddie!

[eddie1115]

Thanks all!  Now just need to plan the next trip

[ducttapetech]

Wow! Nice pics! That looks like a fun trail.
Thanks for sharing.

That's us mobile
Nate

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great pictures mate

[Aloha]

Glad you continued on solo, its a great time regardless as you found out.  Looks like a very cool place to spend more time exploring.  Thanks for sharing. 

[toolguy]

Your hike looks interesting and thanks for posting.

I've become so concerned about water supply,especially standing water,that I've created a two step process.The first step is mechanical filtration,such as your Sawyer Mini,then I process the filtered water with ultra violet light.I feel much more comfortable that I've done everything possible to make the water completely safe for human consumption.

[eddie1115]

Your hike looks interesting and thanks for posting.

I've become so concerned about water supply,especially standing water,that I've created a two step process.The first step is mechanical filtration,such as your Sawyer Mini,then I process the filtered water with ultra violet light.I feel much more comfortable that I've done everything possible to make the water completely safe for human consumption.

Yeah, I brought some Aquamira tablets as a backup measure, but the water looked pretty good (it'd rained recently) so I just went with the filter.  Maybe not the most cautious, but I'll call it a field test of the filter   I'll keep bringing those tablets though.

[kirk13]

Eddie,thank you for sharing! Great pics,it looked like a great trip!

Do you have any info on the castle?

[SteveC]

Looks like a fun solo outing !

[eddie1115]

Eddie,thank you for sharing! Great pics,it looked like a great trip!

Do you have any info on the castle?

Yeah, it was built in the early 1900s by a wealthy business owner.  He brought in Scottish masons to use authentic historical techniques/styles.  It burned in the 40s, and they later turned the area into a state park.  Here's the write up read before heading down there:
http://odd.net/ozarks/parks/haha.htm
There are some cool photos there as well.

[kirk13]

Eddie,thank you for sharing! Great pics,it looked like a great trip!

Do you have any info on the castle?

Yeah, it was built in the early 1900s by a wealthy business owner.  He brought in Scottish masons to use authentic historical techniques/styles.  It burned in the 40s, and they later turned the area into a state park.  Here's the write up read before heading down there:
http://odd.net/ozarks/parks/haha.htm
There are some cool photos there as well.

That's great! Thank you

[eddie1115]

Eddie,thank you for sharing! Great pics,it looked like a great trip!

Do you have any info on the castle?

Yeah, it was built in the early 1900s by a wealthy business owner.  He brought in Scottish masons to use authentic historical techniques/styles.  It burned in the 40s, and they later turned the area into a state park.  Here's the write up read before heading down there:
http://odd.net/ozarks/parks/haha.htm
There are some cool photos there as well.

That's great! Thank you

No problem!  I like this stuff myself.  Spent some time researching Welsh castles a while back, and I really wanted to see this in person.

[Gareth]

Looks like another great day (and night) out.   Did you have a fire or was the fire kit just in case?

[eddie1115]

Looks like another great day (and night) out.   Did you have a fire or was the fire kit just in case?

Thanks!  It was just in case this time.  It's just always on me in the woods.  I did use the SAK on there, more than my Mora, just opening food packages and cutting cord.