[slickpoppa]

All,

Thanks for your concerns for my safety. I'm definitely aware of the risks, but I think there are enough factors in my favor to limit those risks to an acceptable level:
- I will have a GPS and paper maps with me, so that should reduce my chances of getting lost
- There does appear to be some limited cell phone coverage in the areas I'll be hiking. Of course I won't be counting on that, but I'll periodically check my cell phone for coverage, and in case I get injured I might be able to hobble to a place with reception and call for help.
- I'll be doing this trip during a very popular time of year and not going anywhere too remote, so if anything does happen there should be a decent chance of finding help.
- The longest hike I have planned is a 5 day loop of about 30 miles, albeit somewhat mountainous, so I will be at most 15 miles from my car.
- I will let my family know the exact route that I plan on taking
- I'm young and in good shape


Anyway, I've decided to do the Wind River, Wyoming hike that Badger recommended and then hit up Yellowstone. I haven't figured out exactly what I'll be doing in Yellowstone, but I'll probably check out Old Faithful quickly and then do 3-4 days of backcountry hiking there. There's a ton of backcountry trails in Yellowstone, and I'm in the process of mapping out a route. I won't be able to do any fly fishing because I'm a noob and already have enough on my plate, though fly fishing does sound awesome. I've got about 2 weeks for this trip, but unfortunately that only enough to just scratch the surface of what the west has to offer.

If I make it out alive I'll definitely post pics and a trip report. BTW, I'm ending this trip with 3 nights in Vegas, so it'll be fun to experience complete opposite ends of the spectrum in such a short amount of time.