Well I Didn’t Die

    Well I didn’t die on the mountain.  If you read my last blog post you know I had a lot of trepidation about the backcountry hunting adventure Chris and I were embarking on.  Obviously, I made it through the trip without having to be life flighted out of the wilderness.  It was truly an amazing experience.   We spent nine days in the backcountry and covered 76 miles in the process.  Not sure how much elevation gain and loss we had in that time but we spent a considerable amount of time climbing mountains.  The simple existence of living off your back is a simple one and I am already looking forward to the next trip.  

    I will say that on the first full day I was starting to think my fears weren’t unfounded.  We arrived mid-afternoon to where our basecamp would be, pulled out our gear, locked the truck and immediately climbed three miles straight up a mountain face to our first camp.  I thought I might die right there.  I was definitely a flat lander who was unprepared for the 5000 – 6000 ft elevations.  The following day would be our first full day and it truly tested my will to endure.  We ran out of water and spent half a day looking for water down the most unbelievable steep draws so thick I thought I was in a jungle.  We ended up hiking back to base camp that night and by the time we got there I was completely tapped out.  

    Fortunately, I didn’t quit that night.  I got a good night’s sleep and dropped some gear I had already discovered I didn’t need in my back.  Plus, no way was I going to let Chris tap me out, regardless if the man is a machine or not.  It’s no wonder he won the most miles hiked in 2 hours during the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Hike to Hunt Challenge this summer.  At any rate we figured out water and spent the rest of the trip setting up our spike camps in close proximity.  Oure daily routine would include topping off all our water sources during lunch.  Settling into a nice routine quickly was helpful to say the least.  the next week would be challenging but unbelievably rewarding.  

    Spending nine days in the wilderness without any connection to the outside world other than my Garmin InReach really has a healing effect on the soul.  For the majority of the trip it was just Chris and me and daily messages to the wives.  We hiked mile after mile and climbed mountain after mountain with the only sound being that of our footsteps and wild that surrounded us.   Afternoons spent taking a nap against a tree or in our tents.  Climbing to the highest peaks in the area and sitting on a rock to silently take in the splendor before us.  These moments have a way of mending a soul broken by the daily torment of modern society.  There is not hustle and bustle, nagging supervisors, or worry about the depressing news that floods our news feeds.  The biggest worries we had were where to find water and which dehydrated meal we were going to eat that night.  One could get real used to a life of such freedom.  

    Ultimately the experience was one I hope to repeat again sooner than later.  I proved to myself that I could spend nine days living out of my pack in the backcountry chasing Elk.  Proved that I still have what it takes to physically and mentally endure.  Now I’m hungry for more.  Chris and I left the wilderness on the last day feeling a bit defeated.  We had hoped to have coolers full of meat to take home to our families.  However, we found a dark and dingy saloon with the best double cheeseburgers ever.  Well at least that’s what you think after 9 days of dehydrated meals and snack bags.  Regardless after practically swallowing those grease bombs whole and stopping at the next town to deal with the consequences we were ready to head back into the woods.  Ready to take on the next challenge and further that mending of a soul forced to live in the chaos that is our modern society.  

    Today our society is faced with so much turmoil and uncertainty.  Turning on the news is sure to give anyone anxiety.  It is in these times that we all need to take a step back and breathe.  Take a weekend with friends and family to spend in the outdoors.  It’s amazing what just a weekend will do for you.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again.  If more took the time to enjoy the public wild spaces, we are so fortunate to have in this country we would be a better society for it.  Let us all come together under the stars surrounded by mother nature and her wonders to heal our souls.