We just got back from a week-long backpacking trip with a group of friends in the John Muir Wilderness. While it was really tough at times for me, as a novice backpacking. The first day was a struggle, since we had to hike from 7500' elevation to 10,000' elevation over the course of 3 miles (meaning - steep, with decreasing density of oxygen) with a week's worth of food on our backs. Bryce was carrying most of the gear, but I think my pack was still over 30 lbs. (His was probably close to 50 lbs!)
But, once we got up to elevation, things got easier and the group adjusted the expectations for the trip. The original - but loose - plan was to see lots of the Wilderness, with extensive off-trail exploration and crossing passes to get to different basins. Instead, we stayed in one granite "bowl" and got to know it very well, moving from different lakes every couple days. We compared the mosquitos at the different locations (French Lake - slow and stupid; Star Lake - more in number, but still a pretty mild bite; Honeymoon Lake - fast, fierce, and painful). We ate well and completely unplugged. It was exhausting at times, especially when you woke up at 1:30 AM and had to motivate yourself to get out of the tent to pee, but it was worth it.
