Dec 2010 - quick solo trip, long delayed report

[chris]

While I admit I'm not the best at keeping up with online forums, this report is particularly delayed for a number of reasons.  There were a number of factors that led me to go on an unfortunately abbreviated solo trip to the Bend the day after Christmas at the end of 2010.  The main influence in the trip was that after almost 5 years of dependable employment to one company while I was in school, I had graduated in May and transferred to a full time position within the same company (which shall remain nameless) that was neither the best fit for me or the position.  After a couple of months of "making the best," we learned that the department was going to be severely downsized-from a dozen employees to 4 doing essentially the same duties that 3 times the amount of people had.  Again, in being an optimist I tried to make this scenario work-will also expressing my desire to the eternally nonchalant HR department that hey, this isn't working out so hot, and that I'd be willing to transfer back to part-time work in the department I was previously...to total indifference.  I was there, where I was stuck, with no "backies," as an elementary schooler would say.  No advancement or backpeddaling seemed plausible-it was almost as if "we got you through school, now we got you a full time job, and if it's not working for you-tough, it works for us!"  Through diligent time management, I was able to secure a number of successful interviews elsewhere in Austin, even though my boss had told me I couldn't have time off for any purpose-knowing full enough my frustrations and that I was seeking other employment.  As if nobody's heard it enough, it's pretty rough getting out of school these days!  Luckily, I got a great offer from a competitor that I gladly accepted, though this new job was a stepping stone for my current one that I intend to stay at for some time.  I told the competitor yes, I'll start in two weeks time.  I gave my 5 year "benefactor," if you will, a one week's notice-I was taking that second week to myself to decompress!  Confused yet?  Sorry for this long-winded, personal, introductory spiel...

Knowing that I was leaving my job and having had about 5 months of occupational displeasure (for many, many reasons that are too numerous/unimportant now!), I felt this week to myself was justified to me and everybody close to me who knew I could use the time off.  My last day was to be Christmas Eve-how's that for luck??  And of course with the need to find solace (after Christmas and some family time obviously!) and ample time on my hands, I began planning a trip to the Bend.  Unfortunately, with the holidays being imminent, planning with others brought about the usual conflicting schedules, so I began planning a solo trip around the time I was doctoring my one week's resignation from Company A.  I figured that alright, I can finally try to do things that I've always wanted to do.  I usually go to the Bend with people around my age who have never been lucky enough to go, and while I never get tired of the Boquillas sand slide, and definitely not the South Rim trek, there's tons of the park I've never experienced.  I could even do the OML!  More realistically, I was thinking I may try to tackle Marufo Vega, as I'd never really done a lot of desert trekking.  I began packing everything - not just gifts for my family that I'd see at my parents', but also the big pack frame and backcountry gear that I usually don't take when going with others.  I planned to spend 4 nights and still have the latter half of the week to just do whatever I wanted to around my parents' for the remainder of the week, leading up to New Year's as I would start my new job January 3rd.  My girlfriend was going to be skiing in Colorado with her extended family the week after Christmas, so while she expressed a little concern for me going alone, she was happy for me, knowing I needed to get away.  If I haven't stated already, she's great, and not just for day-hiking the South Rim with me on her first trip to the Bend!  She actually wants to go back, and so we are in two weeks!   

Well the best laid plans...I started getting sick around say the 21st or 22nd or so.  A seasonally appropriate welcome to winter!  Ugh, well as I had already booked a site in the Basin campground for the night of the 26th, I'd committed and I had my sights set.  Big Bend or Bust, as the forum attests!  Of course, by arriving at my parents' in San Antonio on Christmas Eve, they could tell I was pretty sick and were also concerned.  But you know, sinus allergies and coughing and wheezing aren't really the end of the world...

Sure enough, I left on Sunday the 26th not long after sunrise and made it out I-10 to 385.  I got to the park around 3:30 or so, after the obligatory fast food/fuel refill in Fort Stockton.  I was tired.  Usually when arriving, I know I'm not the only one who has to get out of the car and do some exploring!  But not this time.  My job had been so physically demanding, and the hours had been so erratic for the past few months that a lot of my energy was being drained.  While working there, my main outdoor passions (at home, if you will) of cycling and running had been significantly curtailed-often I'd be at work 12+ hours, and the days that I wouldn't and had daylight left, it was sometimes tough to find the motivation.  Enough of that, though.  But yes, I made it to the Basin without incident, and set up camp relatively uneventfully.  I was probably in the tent by 8, after cooking dinner and reading some, and planning what I would do.  I figured I'd see how I felt in the morning, as I felt pretty lousy on the drive in, to determine if I felt up to attempting Marufo Vega on this trip.

Morning came and scratch that-I felt awful.  Okay, it's not the end of the world-I was there, and that's what mattered, I could still enjoy myself before nightfall when my hacking cough wakes the whole campground.  It's hard enough for me to stay warm when it's in the upper 20's/lower 30's, as I believe it was then.  Surprisingly, a tent filled with Kleenex does little to provide warmth though!

I figured I'd just do some shorter day hikes, maybe get a few nights at RGV, and see how I felt.  After all, this week was for me and I shouldn't force myself to suffer when I was intending to enjoy myself!  First up, I decided I'd finally cross the Lost Mine Trail off the list.  It was a nice, enjoyable way to seemingly actually start this trip, and I only saw about three other people on the way there and back.  I spent about an hour enjoying myself at the trail's terminus, and took the usual photos that everybody does.  The second picture in the album (I believe that rock is the "Dutch Girl?"  I think I've heard that somewhere-I'm not crazy!) was taken with my fancy new iPhone, and I was pretty happy with the results.  I sent it to my dad, and he was pretty jealous that I pulled the trip off after all!  It's been years since he's been to the Bend, I know for sure.  Making my way out of the Chisos, I figured the Chimneys would make a great desert hike.  Of course, I was right, and again happy to finally see this hike in person.  Again, I spent upwards of an hour at the rocks, eating lunch, and scrambling around.  Happy as hell that I was there instead of work, too!  It was pushing 80 degrees in late December, but no complaints.  I made it down to RGV as the sun was setting and went ahead and reserved a site for two nights.

Another brutal-ish night of really feeling under the weather (okay and the cold) all around.  Yeah, maybe everybody was right-I'm sick.  I usually don't get sick too frequently, but nobody's invinceable.  I decided I'd head out the Old Ore Terminal way, just to see part of what the Vega would've involved.  I made it out a few miles, but not all the way to the end.  I took some pictures and marvelled at the remnants of humanity's attempts to tame the desert landscape, and reflected that the ore transport debris was kind of like people left to weather jobs and situations that just aren't cut out for them.  You can do it, but it's pretty futile.  It was great, as a hike and as scenary, but yeah I'm afraid I'm going to have to throw in the towel here...I think I ought to head back and head to a doctor!  I made it back to the trailhead and back to RGV.  I drove out up 118 and spent some time shopping for knick knacks for friends and family in Alpine.  I also had a great lunch at the Asian buffet in Alpine.  This place was new to me since I'd last been out that way, but I was pretty pleased.  It seemed they even had legitimate sushi, of which I'm not really a fan, but was impressed nonetheless.  I'll definitely be back there in the future I'd say.  By the time I was leaving Alpine, it was 4 PM.  The 67 to I-10 trip back was uneventful, other than the usual heavy downpour I seem to encounter.  This time east of Sonora.

Photos are here:
http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx285/clea_015/December%202010%20-%20solo%20Bender/

I apologize for somewhat of a downer of a trip report-I think that's the main reason I've refrained from typing it up!  However, I guess any time at the Bend is worth sharing.  Like I say, I will be heading back shortly as I haven't been back since, and know that I'll have a better and more exciting report after then!

[fartymarty]

I apologize for somewhat of a downer of a trip report-I think that's the main reason I've refrained from typing it up!

Well I've read about trips that were more of a downer than yours. It seems you salvaged it well during the day light hours.
I'll bet the nights really dragged, cold and sick, either one by itself is bad enough.
However, you sort of left us hanging, it's been a year+ , is/was the new job any better?
Thanks for the report and the pictures.

I sent it to my dad, and he was pretty jealous that I pulled the trip off after all!  It's been years since he's been to the Bend, I know for sure.

Well now you know what to do for Father's Day! No, I didn't mean take him in June. In June you give him a card and tell him you are taking him to Big Bend in October. 

[mule ears]

Yeah, what Farty Marty said.   

What are you going to do when you go with your girl friend in two weeks?

[chris]

Well now you know what to do for Father's Day! No, I didn't mean take him in June. In June you give him a card and tell him you are taking him to Big Bend in October. 

This is actually a great idea!  I may have to follow up on it, as I know he was excited about being able to go back to Boquillas, and I've never been so I think you may be on to something FM.

As far as work goes, I didn't want to make the post a whole thing about work, which may be another reason I delayed it so long.  But I am presently doing accounting for the State, and can't complain at all.  I'm out of the world of bank and financial institution operations, and have to say that 2011 was a far superior year to the previous one personally.  I can't help but empathize for all of the people (not just recent college grads!) who have been impacted professionally and financially by the economy in recent years, so I wish all the best for everyone I know, including those here!

The plans for our trip two weeks out so far include 3 nights camping in the Basin (extolling the virtues of backcountry camping to Mallory is still a bit of a hard sell-as this will probably her seventh or eighth time camping at all), followed by a trip up FM 170 to the final night spent at the Hotel Paisano in Marfa.  We'll probably be going with a few other friends and things we've got planned so far include:

-Drive in Feb 16th, I-10 to 67 to Alpine to explore town for a bit before arriving, setting up camp for first night

-The Window
-Lost Mine
-Boquillas Canyon
-Hot Springs
(all probably day one)

-Blue Creek out to Red Rocks
-Mules Ears out to peaks
-Burro Mesa pouroff
-Santa Elena
-Sotol Vista for sunset
(day two I'm thinking)

-Terlingua
-Finding DOM Rock
-Fort Leaton (as a state employee now, I only find it appropriate to pay entrance fees for all going with me to help support TPWD!)
-Exploring Presidio/at least eating at El Patio
-Marfa
(day three/last night)

Sort of a mini Big Bend "greatest hits."  All of these things, except Boquillas, Santa Elena, and Terlingua will be new to Mal, and all of the stuff on day two (minus Santa Elena) will be new for me, as will be DOM rock, Fort Leaton, and Presidio exploration.  All around, should be a good mix of stuff, and yes the famous Big Bend fever has hit and that's the only kind of sickness I want this time!