I was intent on going backpacking - to the point that I ignored the rainclouds that hung on the divide. It rained during my entire uphill trek.
I kept going further than I had planned, because of the existence of three hunting camps in the lower part of the valley. I normally have this valley all to myself, and I didn't think it would be safe to have my dogs around the hunting camps. (Musket season opened in Colorado last Saturday, Sept 9th).
When I finally stopped to set up camp further up the valley it was well after dark and still raining. I was exhausted and hungry - likely at the beginning stages of hypothermia.
I quickly set up my tent as close as I could get to a tall spruce, hoping it would offer some shelter against the pounding rain. I threw my backpack and gear inside, and covered my sleeping bag with a waterproof lining, so my sopping dogs would not get it wet.
Before bedtime I went down to the stream for water. I was thinking I needed to be careful and try to turn around and examine some landmarks that would show me the way back to camp. There wasn't much, except lots of spruce and lodgepole illuminated by my headlamp.
I started back, and missed the tent. I couldn't believe it - exactly what I didn't want to happen. I wasn't sure which way to go to look for it.
My male border collie appeared in the light in front of me and I told him to go find the tent. A couple of minutes later I saw red eyeshine in the forest, and I followed it. It was Ben, and he was standing right next to the tent.
When I unzipped it, him and Maggie jumped inside, and I followed.
I slept a long, restful night, as did Ben and Maggie. Snowlevel came down to timberline, not far above my campsite. Check out my photos from the trip. It was a good night to be in a warm sleeping bag.
-Jim Ratzloff
