Backpacking a Pack

An activity I have always loved in the outdoors is backpacking. Essentially backpacking consists of carrying everything on the back and trekking to a place miles away from home. It can be a three or 50 mile hike, but no cars are involved – just the pack.

I’ve been on some fabulous backpacking trips throughout my lifetime. My first was to Death Hollow (sounds promising, I know) near Escalante, Utah. I was ten years old and up for the challenge. The hike down into the canyon required steadiness and knowing how to maneuver through cracks in the rock. Slipping and falling off the mountain would not be a happy ending to life (or maybe it would). I actually fell several feet (I fall a lot) but was caught by my uncle.

Once in the canyon, there is quite a bit of wadding through water and leaping from one rock to another. After finding a nice beach, camp is set, and exploring begins. In Death Hollow, there are small waterfalls for jumping off of, and swimming holes to swim in. It is a fun, serene, and inviting place.

Another backpack destination is in the Uintah Mountain Range located in Utah. There are a group of lakes (I won’t mention the names in order to protect them) that are full of fish and fresh water. I’ve been to this particular spot several times. It’s about a 5-mile hike in, and includes beautiful meadows, a stream, flowers, and lakes along the way. The lake I usually camp at has gorgeous views of mountains, and sunrises to drool over.

Fish are everywhere in the lakes and streams. There are also great trails for hiking. In the evening, the campfire roars as the sunset of multiple colors sets over the western mountains. Then diamonds of stars litter the clear night sky. It really is an experience I hope to have again and again.

Backpacking requires planning. Throwing a bunch of gear into a pack will never do the job, and going to an unknown place without a map could end in getting lost. Most backpacking gear consists of a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, food, water, small stove, pocket knife, and proper clothes for the weather. When planning a trip, it is important to know about the place where the backpacking will take place. Knowing about the weather, how long the trail will be, and if there is water available are big things to consider when arranging a trip. The best two words to always remember are: “Be prepared.”

Rocks in Yosemite

One summer I had the opportunity to live and work in Yosemite National Park, where I learned to better appreciate nature...and how to rock climb. If there is one place for learning how to rock climb, it is in Yosemite. Almost everyone I encountered there were rock climbers.

On my first day after arriving at the park, a group of people grabbed black mattresses and headed toward a bunch of tall rocks. I had no idea what they were doing, but I followed anyway. We approached the boulders located in a grove of trees. The climbers set down the mattresses (crash pads is what they’re called) and began putting their climbing shoes on. Climbing shoes are essential to a good climb. They are very tight around the foot and made of material that almost sticks to the rock. I knew I would have to purchase some in order to be a decent climber, and I did. Immediately after this first climbing encounter, I bought some Red Chillies (the best shoes I’ve ever climbed in).

Anyway, back to my first ever climbing adventure. After the climbers put on their shoes, they began rubbing chalk all over their hands. Chalk keeps hands dry and oil-free, which allows the climber to hang onto the rock without his or her hands slipping. Once everyone was chalked-up, the climbing began.

Bouldering is a special type rock climbing that is done without ropes and little gear. It requires good upper body strength, and patience. It was hard for me at first, but throughout the summer, I could make it up several boulders without too much trouble.

Another type of rock climbing involves ropes and harnesses. This is my favorite type of climbing. I can climb long and high without worrying about falling (as long as the person belaying me isn’t sleeping). Shoes, rope, belay device, caribeners, chalk, a harness, and anchors are some of the gear required for this sport. After finding the right climbing spot, the first person (lead climber) is attached to a rope and begins setting anchors. The lead climber is usually the most experienced and trustworthy person. He or she attaches himself or herself to the anchors while climbing up so he or she does not fall.

After reaching the top, the lead climber set a top rope and then rappels down. The next climbers take their turns until everyone is tired of climbing. Each person that climbs up is belayed by a climber at the bottom. Once the climb is declared finished, the anchors are detached from the rock and gear is collected. Then it is on to the next climb.

When done right, climbing can be a fun and exhilarating activity. If anyone has the chance to go to Yosemite National Park, the climbing capital of the world, do it!

Rappelling Disaster

In the early years of my childhood, my family would go on camping trips at least twice a year. Each trip was spent hiking every trail possible, riding our bikes, and sitting by a toasty campfire. It was nothing too extreme, but we were passionate about hiking and exploring new terrain.

For some of my family, hiking just wasn’t enough. When I was about 15, I took a trip to Canyonlands National Park with my father, two uncles, and three brothers. We had to four-wheel into an area of the park that was 50 or more miles away from any sort of civilization. So if anything devastating happened, such as someone bleeding excessively, he or she would be doomed.

The ride into Canyonlands was amazing! With two jeeps and one truck, we four-wheeled our way into a red rock wonderland. After we reached our campground, we set up camp. The next day or so, we hiked and explored the magical world called Canyonlands.

My uncles had brought rappelling gear with them and wanted to test it out. We all jumped at the idea of walking down a cliff on a rope. After finding a nice piece of rock that was about 40-50 feet tall, we all began taking turns rappelling off of it.

Rappelling requires specific gear in order to be safe going down. Some of the right gear includes: rope (long enough for descent), harness, helmet, carabiners, webbing, and rappel device. The harness wraps around the waist and then two straps go around the thighs. Attached to the harness - located around the stomach area - is a rappel device that hooks into the rope. It is extremely important to know how to use the equipment and the risks involved with descending the rope. I found this out the hard way.

I had gone down the rope several times, but as I was taking my fourth try, my harness snapped off my leg halfway down. Immediately I began to fall – quickly. I grabbed the top of the rope to try and stop myself, but it burned my hand, and so I let go. Within seconds, I landed on the dusty desert floor. Fortunately the only injuries I incurred were a scraped arm and jarred back.

When doing any outdoor activity it is important to know the risks involved. Safety is the key factor in preventing falls such as mine. After this incident, it spurred my family to learn more about rappelling and the right safety precautions to take before descending. We have never had another incidence like the one I had. Too bad I had to be the guinea pig!   

The Great Outdoors

Apart from food, the one thing my body craves is fresh air and the great outdoors. I’ve had fascinating experiences on my many trips into nature, and would love to share them on this blog.