We took off about 9:50am, but unbeknownst to us, Mike and Beth were trying to surprise us and were just a hundred feet away waiting in the parking lot for us to arrive. For others that are considering joining in, although it seems cool to surprise us, it isn't a good idea. When no one responds to the invite we assume we are free to leave the second we get our packs on. In addition, finding people in the wilderness is a very low probability maneuver. We've been in the same area as someone trying to find us for days without them locating us.

In addition, I do not check my email in the morning before we leave, and our cell phones generally stop working about the same time. So attempts to contact us the day of the trip are futile. If you plan to attend, it is best to contact me a few days before and no later than the day before or we likely won't know you are coming.

Meanwhile, Mike and Beth think we're no shows and send out an email. Eventually they check around and see our car parked on the highway and take off in a mad dash to catch us.