Been building up to this, my first backpacking trip. Hiked in three miles from Memorial Ranger Station to Shaw Flat Trail Camp, via the Pomponio Trail. Exciting to finally be camping! Set up my tent in a hurry so I could get away from the hordes of mosquitos. (Did not bring bug spray.) Cooked with the alcohol stove, ate backpacker dehydrated food (gotta find a better way), purified creek water using Steripen. Had a blast. In the morning, hiked Pomponio, to Bear Ridge, to Brook Trail, back to Pomponio - 6 miles with a full pack. This was a little much, but after getting home and having a good dinner, I didn't feel so exhausted. Feet did not hurt. Miracle!