This was to be a trip of firsts for me. It was to be my first time snowshoeing and the first trip that I’ve hiked with a hiking partner that I had not met in person before.
It all started around the middle of December with an e-mail that I sent to Tekapo, commenting on his website Digital Drifter and other personal items. We e-mailed a few times then out of the blue he asked if I had ever been snowshoeing / winter backpacking in Yosemite. Of course I hadn’t and was definitely interested.
A few more e-mails pass back and forth and it was decided the date would be January 11 to 13, 2002 and we were to hike from Badger Pass to Discovery View (Wawona Tunnel). We were going to stay at Crocker Point with a possible second night around Inspiration Point if needed.
My trip began the night before. I was to rent snowshoes in Modesto, but for several reasons, they didn’t have any more. I had two choices, rent at Badger Pass and risk not getting any or drive another hour and a half to REI in Sacramento. REI it was. But not before my wife called them to verify and reserve a pair…their last pair!