Hike4Ward: Aug 8 - 9. Team Anona

"Happiness is best shared" - Into the Wild

Part of my plan all along was to join my cousin Bryan for a group hike to Anona Lake. And what a group it was.

Bryan is one of those larger than life kinda guys who is always positive and full of energy and enthusiasm. His upbeat outlook extended to the whole Team.

Team Anona was made up of three more great Dads. His neighbor G, the Eagle scout. And his college buds Dud and Burch. Burch had flown his Bonanza over from Modesto, that's so cool. It was obvious they all had a spirited and colorful history; with a loyalty and respect that ran very deep.

The rest of the Team was made up of five kids whose average age was about 13. Three boys and two girls. They added the personality and life to the team. Over the course of the 8 hour, 7 mile hike they never complained, never became angry, never wanted to quit. They stayed positive, mutually supportive, and optimistic that the goal was worth the effort. Their only chronic complaining was towards Bryan's incorrect assurances that there was only "one more hill" or it's "just around the corner." I complained about that a lot too.

Overall these young hikers did an outstanding job with the whole experience. Two things struck me as special. First, they gradually formed their own group dynamic. Caleb had a paper map and soon built a very impressive situational awareness of where we were all the time. The kids then began to confer amongst themselves and became less reliant on the Dads for their pacing and trail rhythm. They would help each other with their large packs and share snacks and water. And lastly, they were really great helpers in camp. Not just because they were told too but they understood that in camping, if You don't do it, it doesn't just happen. So the Dads cooked and the kids did the cleaning. My wonderful cousin Jenna was shivering with cold hands from dish duty but still walked up to her dad Bryan and asked what else needed to be done. But at their very best, they were just kids. They laughed, joked, teased, made funny sounds and smells, and were kind and respectful to each other.

The Dads did a really super job of mentoring the kids. Trail pacing and etiquette, respect for the land and the water. How to keep a clean camp and why, and how to share the load and support the group.

These guys also know a thing or two about how to cook and eat well. They had no less than 3 stoves going at once to cook up tri tip, rice, & veggies. Add a roll of sourdough and some special "Dads drink." I have Never eaten so well. I was humbled by their efficiency and honored to eat at their table.

The next morning I bid them farewell as I started back down to Reds Meadow. Although my solo trip ended sooner than I would have liked, the best parts were the start and the finish. These parts were not solo at all. They were with Family, and the Happiness was Shared.

Thanks Team Anona!

And thanks again for following.
DW