The Luminous Joan and I got back last night from six days and five nights in the Emigrant Wilderness here in California. My Lady is a tough babe, she carries in about 45 pounds, which is almot 38% of her body weight. I carry in about 50 pounds, which is about 25% of my body weight. By the time we come out, though, a good 6 pounds of that is eaten up and gone...

Anyway, I hiked every day, including our day hike, in a kilt. It was a USA Kilts Casual model in PV. It "works". I had my doubts, honestly. Now, the mosquitos were conspicuously absent (HURRAH!) but still and all, I dig this "kilt on the trail" thing. If you haven't done it, try it. I bought a stick of bodyglide before we left (SPF 25????? I DON'T want to know! ) and I bet that made all the difference.

We'd hike 4-5-6 miles and get to the next lake about 4:30 - 5:00. We'd find a campsite, drop our packs and set up the tent. Ten minutes later I'd have a change of clothes in my hands and we'd be headed for the lake. Off comes the fanny pack/sporran, off come the boots and socks and t-shirt and I'd hop into the lake, kilt and all. Fifteen minutes later, clean Alan, clean kilt.......more or less! After changing into pants (to keep the few mosquitos off) I'd lay the kilt out on a rock to dry. It'd be dry by dinner time and ready to do for the next days hike, and the sewn-down pleats would be perfect.. It was light enough that I didn't sweat so much and I didn't worry about messing it up....though I did get some pine pitch on the seat that I have to clean off. It's EXCELLENT! I'll be hiking in PV kilts in the future, that's for darned sure.

The weather was perfect, the company, wonderful and the butterflies and wildflowers were mind-blowing. Joan was in a happy state the entire time; she loves butterflies. For Californians, the dryness and lack of mosquitos made for a great trip, but this is how I'd expect to see the Sierra Nevada at 9,000 feet in mid-August, not mid-July. Get ready for water rationing.

Pics to come when Joan sends the film..... yes, we still use a film camera, though it died on this trip and we'll be going digital, soon.