Beartooths Backpacking, 2009

Back for 2009 is the North Face-wearing Canadian dude (Brad), Ward, and Reed---after missing 2008 due to injury. Sadly, Brett Favre probably won't join us again, but we don't care because we have drafted young Tye, a.k.a. "The Kid". Us old guys should have fun giving the youngster shit though he has proven to be a adequate shit-giver himself.

THE HIKERS	Hiker Info	Interesting Hiker Facts
	Dorf, Manitowoc, WI This will be Dorf's (also known as "Rainman") 3rd year as trip planner for this motley crew, having facilitated successful trips to the Wind River Range, Cloud Peak Wilderness and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, as well as two wussy trips with his wife to Glacier National Park and to the Winds. Dorf will often catch his breath by taking a dozen photos of the same thing.	Does not use TP on the trail. Does not always wash his cooking gear after meals, but sometimes sanitizes hands. Once lost his hat 2 hours into a week-long trip above the tree line in the Wind Rivers. Idiot. Gets in shape for these hikes by going on these hikes.
	Ward, Sun Prairie, WI This will be Ward's 3rd trip with the group. Known as "the old guy that can really climb." Ward's trademark is his intrepid hikin' stick that goes everywhere he goes (including Greyhound buses) and his ability to carry far too much pack weight yet still kicking Dorf's ass on the uphills.	Has the best hat of the group & hasn't lost it since I've known him. Summited Fremont Peak amidst lightening back in '07 prompting a 911 call to the Sublette County sheriff's office. Rode the bus to Buffalo, WY just so he could hike with Dorf Is the only grandpa in the group.
	Brad, Kitchener, ON, Canada This will be the "The North Face hat-wearing Canadian Dude's" 2nd trip with Dorf. Dude's stellar navigational skills proved to be invaluable in 2008. Spent a fortune on new lighter gear (including a North Face cap) before the '08 trip so he could keep up with Dorf---which means he wasted a lot of money for nothing.	Wears The North Face gear made popular by college co-eds. Has the funniest hat of the group. Also has a tuke Says the word "eh" a lot Uses too much water to rehydrate his meals which is why he was always eating soup for dinner
	Reed, Madison, WI After bailing on the '08 trip due to a foot injury, Reed is chomping at the bit to get back to the mountains. Reed brings very little to the table other than his radical political views which are shared by nobody else in the group. Bordering on UL, Reed has the smallest and lightest pack of the hikers which enabled him to hike out the 13 miles from Indian Basin in less than 5 hours and still have time to warm up the van for Ward and I!	Had his poopy trowel broken by Dorf in 2007. Took iPod with him to the Winds in 2007 Has a decent hat, but not a great one. Originally thought we should go to New York City and get roaring drunk and watch Broadway shows for eight days.
	Tye, Somewhere in AL I have no idea who this guy is, what he does or where he's been. Tye goes by the handle of "Eagle48" on the backpacker.com message boards but I'm sure I'll be calling him "that damn young guy" by the end of the trip. Tye will likely be verbally abused throughout the duration of the hike just because us old guys have him outnumbered.	Will be the youngest hiker in the group and will be abused for that. Begged to come along on this trip and will be abused for that Has a girlfriend who is blonde. I like blondes therefore no abuse for that one Doesn't wear a hat when hiking and thinks baseball is a sport. Will be an honorary Cheesehead before the trip ends