Llama Rama 2001: A Spaced Oddesy July 29-August 10 [PepperDog's Llama Photo Album] [Obi Wan Canoli's Llama Photo Album] [I-am-OM's Llama Photo Album] [Old Timer's Llama Photo Album] [TrailTalk Photo Page][TrailTalk Today]   On July 29 we began gathering at Mel's place in Mammoth for a backpacking/llamapacking trip into the High Sierras. Fourteen people gathered for the biggest Llama Rama of them all. Seven of us were going in for 7 days and a climb of Mt. Whitney. The other seven were in for a 10-day explore of the mountains and lakes south of Mt. Whitney. The trail names and home states of our party were: California: Mel, Phil, Kent, jvz, The Naviguesser, Pepperdog, Obi Wan Canoli, & Explorer Oregon: Old Timer & Turk Arkansas: Mozark and Miss Mozark South Carolina: Solitary Hiker Florida: I-am-OM Part 1 - July 29-August 1 (7 & 10 day group) Part 2 - August 2-4 (7 day group) Part 3 - August 5-6 (7 day group) July 29 Gathering at Mel's Place   (L to R): Solitary Hiker, Mel, Phil, Miss Mozark, Old Timer   (L to R): Standing: I-am-OM, Pepperdog, Mel, Obi Wan Canoli, The Naviguesser. Sitting: Solitary Hiker, Old Timer   Mozark & Miss Mozark camp out in Mel's yard and make last minute gear adjustments.   Obi, Pepperdog, and Mel enjoy Dutch oven peach and cherry cobblers prepared by Phil, Turk, and Miss Mozark. (Served with ice cream and whipped cream of course!) July 31: Horseshoe Meadows to Chicken Spring Lake Horseshoe Meadows trailhead   Saddling up the llamas: Larry, Oreo, Slate, Roy, and Joppa (a.k.a. "The Boys") and hit the trail. Each llama carries approximately 80 pounds of gear.   Explorer at the entrance to the Golden Trout Wilderness   Southern view of the Eastern Sierra   Most of us had lunch at Cottonwood Pass, approximately 4 miles from the trailhead.   Most of us camped at Chicken Spring Lake. Explorer takes advantage of the photo opportunities.   Potluck dinner. We formed two groups and had fun sharing food for dinner the first night on the trail.   I-am-OM...quite the gourmet trail cook we soon found out.   The other potluck group. Chicken Spring Lake in the background. August 1: Chicken Spring Lake to Upper Rock Creek Lake Views from the PCT on the way north   Siberian Outpost in the distance   Turk and Joppa. Turk did a great job leading Joppa on the trail.   Phil at Rock Creek with Miter Basin in the background   Mel with Larry and a Tecate "lunch"   Phil fishing at Upper Rock Creek Lake. Old Timer and Turk caught lots of fish (small goldens), but Phil came up empty this round.   Campfire with our most complete group shot. Only jvz is missing. Around the circle starting from the left: The Naviguesser, Miss Mozark, Pepperdog, Obi Wan Canoli, Mel, Phil, Solitary Hiker, Turk, I-am-OM, Explorer, Old Timer, Kent, Mozark Continued in Part 2