Is there ever a wilderness trip that goes exactly as planned? Maybe you've been more fortunate, or better planned, but I've yet to experience a trek with no surprises. Those surprises can lead to the classic wilderness epic, or they are simply a unique memory that makes the post trip story more entertaining. The difference, epic or entertaining story, is determined by the successful application of both soft skills and hard skills.
All of the Backpacking Light Wilderness Trekking School courses aim to build those skills. Thankfully, all of our expedition planning and course curriculum polish never removes the educational opportunities of adapting to the surprises found on a wilderness trek. The following photos are a small sampling of the skill building opportunities we encountered in October 2013's WT2-ULB. (Note: All well composed photo credit goes to Emily Beers, a student on the course. All the blurry ametuer shots were taken by me.)
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- The trip
# WORDS: 830
# PHOTOS: 15
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Wilderness Trekking School – Ultralight Boot Camp Photo Essay
Great pics. What camera is Emily using?
It's a Canon 6D with a 16-35 2.8 lens. So about as non-UL as they come, but I was so happy to have it along! More photos available on the interwebs here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/m/viewer#album/107999516654875388564/5934447078798944769
And I really can't speak highly enough about the WTS experience. Our mission suffered quite a few setbacks- 24 hours in our instructor Pat became very ill, and we had to significantly modify our route plan for the possibility of heading back to drive him to a hospital. Thankfully he recuperated well, and we pressed on into that beautiful backcountry. Not pictured is the frozen pink vomit just outside my tent 48 hours later, sigil of my bout with the same illness. Nothing like a fever with rigors, teeth chattering in all of your layers while sleeping on snow. Ryan and Pat really made the experience the best it could be, despite high odds against it. It helped that we had a great crew of students, all of whom were able to be flexible and accommodate 2/5 of us with sudden incapacity derailing our plans. Bottom line: if we could go through all that and still have an amazing trip, the bar was set pretty high. WTS goes highly recommended!
Thanks for the info Emily. Sorry about the illness. I have been through a GI viral illness while desert hiking a few years ago. It was no fun at all.
Thanks Emily! I think much of our success on that trip can be attributed to the high level of compassion and the universally positive attitude of the students. When the data looks sour its attitude that sugars the lemons.
And for a last post trip recommendation… don't play with RyanC's toddlers 24 hours before a wilderness trek unless you've been previously exposed. Right Pat?
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