Wyoming is beautiful in June. Thunder storms and rain showers arrive from time to time but the ground just soaks up the water and the sun usually reappears within hours. Of course it is cool in the evenings, even freezing depending on the elevation you pick for your campsite. The valleys, mountains, sunsets and rivers are beautiful. If you enjoy hiking or backpacking in early summer, there is no better place than Wyoming.
In an earlier blog post entitled The Hill I mentioned that I was training for an adventure that was a long time in the planning. I spent the month of June with a small group of young adults in the Wyoming outback. For the majority of our time we backpacked in the Absaroka Mountains, climbing steep trails, crossing rivers and learning outdoor wilderness skills. We also became certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).
Except for the two resupply stops, we saw not a single person the entire time we were in the mountains - with one exception. There was the solo backpacker we met two days from the end of our trip. He was just entering the mountains as we were preparing to leave it all behind. Other than that, we shared our three weeks with black and brown bear, the occasional wolf, trout and several herds of deer and a curious osprey.
The training I mentioned in The Hill paid off for me but not as much as I had hoped. My fellow hikers were just too young and bullet-proof for me to compete. Their lungs seemed to grab every available molecule of oxygen and their blood pumped it to their leg muscles faster and more efficiently. They were so happy to march up the mountain pass with their 50+ pound packs. Their legs seemed stronger and it was just too darn easy. My legs occasionally felt tired and old.
I needed a little more rest and peanut butter. On most occasions, the daily hiking group I was a part of would need to stick to the regular breaks if we were gaining much altitude. Hike fifty minutes and rest ten. I was OK on the flatter sections and rolling hills. I felt strong in the river crossings and route finding, as those were not new to me, but when it came to mountain passes I was the sea anchor that slowed us down. They would be laughing and carrying on while I was huffing and puffing.
Our hiking group. Ngaire (second from right) was our instructor and Bryan (second from left) our Leader of the Day (LOD)
Thankfully, my course mates on the NOLS Outdoor Educator trip were an incredibly generous and enthusiastic group. All of them were in their teens and twenty’s and had the kind of spirit and attitude that you would want on this kind of adventure (or at work or in the classroom). They were positive and supportive. They were strong in body and mind and they were eager to learn.
My course mates were just too young and strong. All of them were athletes of some kind and their legs were strong and they recovered so quickly. It was amazing. It seemed that I was the only one who wanted to sit and breath and refuel every afternoon. Occasionally, I would hear someone say they were tired and wanted to rest. I loved hearing this from a fellow tent mate, and I caught several people napping and laying down by the river or in camp after a long day. I was tired most days at the end of the hikes and I really appreciated our layover days.
In total, we backpacked almost 100 miles and climbed 1000’s of feet. We learned so much about each other and how to enjoy our time in the mountains. I learned that I wasn’t as strong or as fast as I once was, but I believe I can get a little more serious with my physical training as I transition into this new outdoor career.
We learned some important skills that I hope to use in the next phase of my life and the relationships we made while in Wyoming are so important to me. I am planning to take a few more trips with some of my new friends.
Strong legs are important but a positive attitude is more important in the outdoors. That positive attitude is important indoors too. Staying positive and working through issues trumps brute strength and speed any day. We learned something called Expedition Behavior (EB) and everyone should apply it to their daily lives.
Some of the more critical EB’s are: serve the mission, be as concerned for others as for yourself, treat everyone with dignity, support leadership, be kind, help others, admit your mistakes. Google EB and you may realize these are the lessons you would like to teach your kids. A NOLS course is a great way for young and old to experience these lessons.
I will train harder from now on; I will be stronger next time. I will be prepared for the young legs and lungs on my next adventure. I love working with young adults because they bring great enthusiasm and desire. My goal is always to share my knowledge and philosophy but I typically end up learning much more from my partners on these trips.
I won’t forget that a positive attitude allows you to go farther and higher than you might otherwise.