My Backcountry Wish List

One of my greatest life disappointments to date is giving up backpacking at such an early age. For a while I was as gung-ho as Colin Fletcher. Had all the gear and time in the world as I was single with no kids. I could have gone out for 2 or 3 weeks at a time instead of trying to become a scratch golfer (I wound up with a 8 handicap mostly due to poor course management and a "go for it" attitude.  I was "Tin Cup" before there was a Tin Cup).

Now that I just turned 43, I find myself crunched for time and regret the almost 20 years I "wasted" on the golf course or behind the computer. Now that I know I might have 10 good years left in me before old age takes it's toll on my already falling-apart body, I've devised a wish list of places I'd like to spend some extended time in the backcountry. Here is my list of places I want to go...

Popo Agie/Jim Bridger Wilderness/ Wind River Range MISSION ACCOMPLISHED This one happened in July of 2006 [Trip report] and again in July of 2007 [Trip report]. I still have to get to the Cirque of the Towers, however, and the Fitzpatrick Wilderness via Angel Pass tempts me like no other.
Glacier National Park CLOSE ENOUGH---MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Yeah, so I've been there three times already...Doesn't matter. I want to hike from Kintla Lake, over Boulder Pass. Besides, I had set a goal of hiking all of the main trails at Glacier that hasn't been met yet.  [7/2004 trip report]  [8/2005 trip report] [8/2007 trip report].
Yellowstone National Park:  The Bechler I'd really like to spend a week carousing about Cascade Corner in the Bechler region, fighting off mosquitoes and bears. This one may happen in 2010 with Yumi, though 2011 is a more likely scenario.   [8/2003 trip report].      [Two days in 2006]
San Juan's in Colorado Ever since reading a book by Peter Jenkins entitled "Walk Across America" as a teen this place has stuck in my memory. I thought about this one for 2009 but it's not going to happen for a few years---maybe part of a CDT attempt?
Cloud Peak Wilderness MISSION ACCOMPLISHED I've got some unfinished business there in the Solitude Trail. Was going to attempt it solo the summer of '05 but either chickend out or wised up and did a much shorter hike. Tagging Cloud Peak itself wouldn't be bad, either. [7/2005 trip report]  [7/2008 trip report]
John Muir Trail Not sure if this one will ever happen but it would be nice. Until my tight-ass employer decided to max out PTO at 160 hours per year, I was planning on this the year I turned 50. I'd probably need a full three weeks and a lot of luck to complete the 219 miles.
Washakie and/orTeton Wilderness  IT'S THE TETON IN SUMMER OF 2010! I'm intrigued by the grassy plateaus and glaciated valleys and would like to do this in conjunction with hiking Yellowstone's Thorofare. Now I just have to figure out which wilderness is the one I want. I'm going to try to get there in 2010.
Anywhere Yumi wants to go Most likely Zion National Park or somewhere in the southwest, although Yosemite is on her own list of must-sees.  A more likely scenario is backpacking somewhere tropical like in Hawaii.
A look into the future...
2010	Thinking I can get two trips in this summer. One will be with another new guy, Bob, to a destination to be determined. I'd also like to getTodd and Nick out as a high school graduation "gift"
2011	With both my boys off to college I'm going to have more time to get out. I'm beginning to ponder the feasability of attempting the CDT.
2012	I think this would be the year to finally get out to Colorado