Fatpacking Itinerary, Saturday, November 3, 2007 - Sunday, November 11, 2007

Last Updated 10/5/2007

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Fly or drive into Midland/Odessa, TX. We will pick you up at the airport.

Check into La Quinta Inn Midland, 4130 West Wall Street, Midland, TX 79703-7718, (432)697-9900

Equipment shakedown

Buy last minute and forgotten items at Academy in Midland (5300 W Wadley Ave (at W Loop 250 N), Midland 432-522-6000) open 'til 9PM

Option 2: Get last minute items at: Ski Skeller Sports, 3327 W Wadley Ave, Midland, 432-697-0427

Food shakedown, trail mix distribution

Go out for dinner in town

"Before" measurements taken

Sunday, November 4, 2007

"Before" measurements taken

Final showering opportunity

Check out of La Quinta about 6AM

Breakfast at a local restaurant

Drive 4.5 hours to Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park

Your bag(s) with personal items will be set aside and left in vehicles or a storage unit

Pick up backcountry and parking permits

Drive to the Chisos Basin

Hike 3.3 miles on the Laguna Meadow Trail

Camp at Laguna Meadow. Total 3.3 miles

Note: Water is uncertain in this area. We may need to carry 2 gallons of water from Chisos Basin

Bailout: Chisos Basin

Monday, November 5, 2007

Hike 0.8 miles to the South Rim along the Colima Trail

Hike 5.0 miles to the Northeast Rim Trail

Hike 0.8 miles to Boot Spring Area, Total 9.9 Miles

Camp in the Boot Spring Area

Water is unreliable at Boot Spring, but as of October 5th, it is running reliably.

Bailout: Chisos Basin

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Hike 1.0 miles to Emory Peak Trail

Drop packs and hike 2.0 miles round trip to summit Emory Peak, the highest summit in the park at 7825'

View from Emory Peak

Hike 3.5 miles back to the Chisos Basin. Total 16.4 miles

Car camp in the Chisos Basin

Bailout: Chisos Basin.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Drive to the Rancherias Eastern Trailhead on FM 170

Hike 5.5 miles to the saddle between Acebuches and Leon (Panther) Canyons.

Hike 0.5 miles to Casa Reza Spring. Total 22.4 miles

Casa Reza Spring is the only available water in this section

Casa Reza

Camp at Casa Reza.

Bailout: FM 170

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Hike 6.3 miles to Rancherias Spring. Total 28.7 miles

Camp at Rancherias Spring, water is usually reliable here

Bailout: FM 170

Friday, November 9, 2007

Hike 6.7 miles to FM 170

There is a long, steep downhill at the end.

Hike 2.5 road miles back to the car, driver(s) only. Total 37.9 miles

Drive to Boquillas

Car Camp at Boquillas

Bailout: FM 170

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to Laguna Hot Springs

Hike 1.0 miles back to the trailhead. Total 39.9 miles

Bailout: Hot Springs Trailhead

"After" measurements taken

Drive back to Midland

Check into La Quinta Inn Midland, 4130 West Wall Street, Midland, TX 79703-7718, (432)697-9900

Dinner in town

Awards Ceremony

Sunday, November 11, 2007

"After" measurements and optional photos taken

Check out of La Quinta

Breakfast in town

Drive back to Midland/Odessa

Airport Drop