Tips for Beginner Backpackers from a pair of Beginner Backpackers

When selecting your trail it helps to ask the following questions:
Is the trail well marked?
Is there a water source near the campsite?
Does the trail include a 3 hour ,45 degree incline?
How can we gauge our distance covered?





Things to bring with you:
*Rope
Deet Bug spray
Sunscreen
Water purification and a filter or a bandana (that’s how we filtered water)
Rain jacket
Map (topographical!!!)
Compass
Extra socks
An extra layer for cold nights (really really cold!)
Water
Food - high calorie granola bars and dehydrated food works well
Camp stove
Waterproof matches
Head lamp
First aid kit (preferably one built by a nurse)
Sleeping bag
Tent
Garbage bag(s)
Shammy (instead of a towel)
Toilet paper (no one wants an accidental and unfortunate encounter with poison ivy leaves ::shudder::)
Camera
Knife/multitool kit

What to wear:
Synthetic shirt
Pants - No matter how hot it is, shorts will result in bug bites, poison ivy, cuts, or all of the above
Boots - properly worn in. This point cannot be stressed enough
Sunglasses - protect eyes from sun and bugs
Head covering
Wool socks




*Alex, this is for you!
Connor: Do ya’ know what we need, man? Some rope.
Murphy: Absolutely. What are you, insane?
Connor: No I ain't. Charlie Bronson's always got rope.
Murphy: What?
Connor: Yeah. He's got a lot of rope strapped around him in the movies, and they always end up using it.
Murphy: You've lost it, haven't ya‘?
Connor: No, I'm serious.
Murphy: That's stupid. Name one thing you'd need a rope for.
Connor: You don't f*ckin' know what you're gonna need it for. They just always need it.
Murphy: What's this 'they' shit? This isn't a movie.
Connor: Is that right, Rambo?
Murphy: All right. Get your stupid f*ckin' rope.
Connor: I'll get my stupid rope. I'll get it.

Big Boob National Park

I have just seen Heaven on Earth. Jackson and Jenny Lake in the Grand Teton National Park is without a doubt the most beautiful site I have ever been blessed to see. Now, anyone who knows me is aware that I have a tendency to over exaggerate. Every song I like is “my favorite” every food I like is “the best” and every concert I go to is “the coolest ever.” My brother on the other hand has a tendency to under express his emotion on things so when he said we had to see Jenny Lake, it meant we had to see Jenny Lake. I just sent him a message saying, “OMG! Jenny Lake is unreal” to which he responded, “Pretty, huh?” David and I just laughed at the emotionally blunted yet utterly sincere reply.

Now we know what we’re made of

Day 6
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I said it was strenuous...
that doesn't mean it wasn't gorgeous

I’ll start by saying I have never been so happy to see my Jeep! The last 26 hours have been the most strenuous of my life (at least that I can recall). I assure you, if I had brought my laptop on our backcountry hike, the overall tone of the post after arriving at the campsite yesterday would have been significantly different. Now, having arrived back safely from our 20 mile voyage, we are both exhausted and incredibly proud of ourselves. The first 10 miles before we made it to our camp site, the trail was not only difficult to follow on the map (we were able to follow the trail but had no ability to gauge our progress), but 2/3 of it was a steady, merciless incline. 3 hours walking uphill with a 35lb pack was enough to make me consider turning around and heading back to the trailhead. It also made me curse Troy for not pushing me to spend more time on the stair climber. There was also no sign of water the whole first day which made us a bit nervous. We brought 5 liters with us but that incline (oh, did I mention there was no tree covering so we were baking in the sun the entire way) wore us out and we used a bit more water than we anticipated.


When we finally reached our campsite around 2:15. There was such a sense of euphoria and gratitude to the God that kicked our asses up that mountain. To top it off, there was a perfectly clear, steadily flowing stream just to the East of camp. It provided us with the most delicious ice mountain water. It was at then we realized everything was A-OK. David’s comment after trying the water from what we will forever refer to as “our stream” was, “Wow, it doesn’t taste like Bear piss or nothing.”

We set up camp, placing our tent outside of the Bear-muda Triangle (Thank you Brother!), made dinner and just after we got the food strung up in a tree, it began to rain. The rain didn’t last long, but it brought with it every last mosquito in backcountry Yellowstone. We went to sleep just after sunset. Either I am really not a princess or I was just that tired, but I didn’t even seem to mind the large root that ran under me in the tent as I slept.

This morning we departed from camp at 7:15. We packed up our cold, wet gear and ventured on our way. We prayed that the grueling uphill climb from the day before would result in a rewarding decent in elevation and for the most part, we were correct (though we wouldn't have been surprised if it turned out to be the proverbial "uphill both ways" situation). The feeling of cold didn’t last long but the 10 mile hike back was one of wet socks from the wet plants we walked through. For this second part of the journey it was much easier to locate ourselves on the map and we were happy to have both map and compass to navigate us in the proper direction; there were many diverging trails and of course David began quoting Robert Frost.


At 11:30 we finally arrived back at our starting point and I literally ran to my Jeep. I threw off my pack and sat on the gate. David and I both quickly changed into our swim suits because about ½ mile back, there was a hot spring that ran into the river creating a natural, and might I add glorious, hot tub. Before we could go enjoy such a luxury, I had to drink a Mountain Dew (never thought that would be the first thing I would want when I arrived) and I had to pee, for the first time in 16 hours. TMI for most of you, but for my nursing friends, if I were a patient, my I&O total would have bought me at least a 1L bolus if not 2...

He's gonna kill me for
posting this picture!

 The walk back to the Mammoth Hot Spring run off was the easiest, lightest ½ mile I can remember and the water felt perfect (Thank you again Brother!). Mom would love this spot because you can quickly and easily move from perfect hot tub temperatures to ice bath without getting out of the water. There were two other people in our little spring and they happen to be the doppelgangers of one Kate Mock Elliot and her husband Spencer Elliot. It was uncanny! I didn’t think Spencer’s beard or hair could be replicated, but I was very wrong.

As it stands right now, we are en route to Jackson Hole, WY, though it will take about 2 hours just to make it out of the park. We intent next to eat and then enjoy a low key rest of the day in civilization.

Man Make Fire

Day 4
Sunday, August 28, 2011

The drive through Yellowstone is long and beautiful. The destruction from the 1988 forest fire is clear but it has a hauntingly beautiful quality about it. We weren’t driving but 15 minutes when David said, “Come on, I want to see a bison!” 5 minutes later, there is a bison 10ft from our car.  Massive animal, and like the deer in Cincinnati, apparently very used to people and cars because he just continued about his business as we drove past.

We arrived at our campsite for the night, after hitting the ranger office to get our backcountry permit, and David and I made a beautiful fire. It was neither for warmth, nor for cooking, but simply because we could. We had minimal trouble setting up the tent and we did most of our packing for tomorrow. We will have to leave at dawn because it is 1 ½ hours by car to get from Canyon Village, where we are staying, to Mammoth Hot Springs where we will find our trailhead just beyond the border in Montana. Next you’ll hear from me we will be out of the woods, hopefully still in one piece.

Whoa, I definitely just hit a bird ::sadface::

Day 4
Sunday, August 28, 2011

Let’s just say it is a heartbreaking thing to have an innocent bird hit your windshield and spin off  realizing the result will be a dead bird in the path of where you have just been. And now I am forced to stare at the spot it left on my windshield for the next 4 hours until we reach Yellowstone. Poor little birdie L From here out, David shall be deemed the bird killer.

We left Rapid City at 5:30am and for the first time this trip I left David to keep himself entertained during the drive while I slept for a few hours in the copilot spot. I will forever claim that it was for his overall benefit because a sleepy Emily, is an unhappy Emily, and an unhappy Emily is no good for anyone. I have now perked up and we are experiencing the ear popping excitement of driving up and down the mountainous terrain of Wyoming. There really is nothing out here. I thought I had seen unpopulated areas before but this brings it to a whole new level. I also have a growing concern for the greenery of the west. It seems the pine trees are much worse off out here than in Cincinnati as they are dying here by the acre…I’m glad Brother told me about the 5 W’s of campsite selection:

Wind
Water
Widow makers
Wanimals
Wow

All these dead pine trees are one bad storm away from tumbling over and making a widow out of anyone in their path. Stupid Pine Beetles, killing off Christmas.

I am looking forward to hiking the mountains here and seeing the wildlife…I am both mentally and physically prepared to face a griz should we cross paths…I have been told that my clotting disorder which led to an interesting hospitalization several years ago is a genetic characteristic that once served a specific purpose. You see, when cave men lived among the dinosaurs, having the ability to clot faster meant when a carnivorous dino would eat off a man’s arm, the man would clot and not die from the vicious encounter…likewise,  this rapid clotting trait which has been passed on to me by my caveman ancestors will protect me should I have a limb ripped off by a bear. So mom, don’t worry about me getting attacked by a bear, I am built to survive! David on the other hand, may not be so lucky with his mutated clotting genes…

Truly, this drive through the mountains is beautiful. I could never manage to describe it in adequate detail, thus, you all must simply come experience highway 14 for yourselves. I promise you will not regret it.

I really like washing my hair with shampoo

Day 3
Saturday, August 27, 2011

David and I are sitting at the Hotel Alex Johnson eating turkey sandwiches and they are probably the best turkey sandwiches we have ever eaten. Similarly, this morning after our long hike in the Badlands on the Castle Trail, and the Medicine Root Trail (6 miles total) we drank the most delicious Gatorade in the history of Gatorade! It's funny how much better things taste when you are really needing to eat or drink something.

Ok, so to pick up where I left off yesterday afternoon...we finally arrived in the Badlands last night at 5pm Mountain time and checked into our Budget Host Motel...I was greeted by a dead cricket on the bathroom floor, or at least I thought he was dead. I saw a let twitch so I killed him properly. Dad would be so proud of me killing my own bugs :) As I explained to David when I was surprised by the second cricket later who jumped out of my hand towel in the bathroom, I have no problem with bugs in general, I simply get startled when I see them inside as they are not supposed to be there.

We did find this place they call Wall Drug and it is more touristy than we ever imagined. Definitely worth going to though even just for the solidarity with other travelers who have ventured there...not to mention I caught and rode a giant Jackalope :)

It was a little chilly with
the breeze as we started out...
the jacket didn't last very
long

Both of us were so tired by the time we went to sleep that it didn't matter that the beds sunk to the floor when you sat on them, or that that squeak with every turn. We both slept in until 7:30am and we were on the trail by 9 which we discovered is too late in the day to begin a hike in a dry wasteland. We were on the trail from 9-noon and it was upwards of 100 degrees. We took water with us but by the time we were finished we were both thrilled to see the car! It was an amazing hike that we would do over again in a heartbeat and will recommend to anyone. It was an incredible experience to stand, turn around 360 degrees and see not a soul in sight. The only sound was the wind blowing around us, and there wasn't a cloud for miles. It was awesome in the truest sense of the word.

Next we went back into the town of Wall, SD to get lunch and we were on our way to Rapid City. This 1.5hr part of the trip is a mystery to me because I passed out in the passenger seat and was not awoken until we reached the Hotel Alex Johnson where we are staying for the night. The first thing we both did was take showers and put on clean clothes. The shower had real soap and shampoo bottles! It was the greatest excitement from the most simple of experiences, but after washing my hair with bar soap yesterday, a teeny tiny bottle of B&BW shampoo is all it takes to make this girl happy!

When we felt like real people again, we headed out to see Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. It was a bit of a drive to get there but the scenery is beautiful. Both sites were large and I couldn't help but marvel at the logistical side of the construction of the sculpture. It is just remarkable to me that their construction was even possible. We met an Ohio State student at Mt. Rushmore named Tim. He is driving back from doing an internship in Idaho for 7 months and so he is doing some sight seeing as he ventures back to Ohio before school starts back up. We figured this was the perfect opportunity to get our O-H-I-O picture checked off the trip to do list. Following that was the light up presentation which included presidential trivia, a Lewis & Clark recap and a mini life history of the lives of the 4 sculpted presidents. As David put it, it was a very "Happy Meal version of American History."

And now I sit eating my sandwich and preparing to go to bed. Tomorrow we go the 8-9 hours to Yellowstone and once there, internet and cell reception will be sparse. If you don't hear from me for a few days, trust that we are alive and well.



Oh, P.S. I got a question regarding who David is, so for David's and my family and friends who don't know one or the other of us, here are the mini bios:

David: Born and raised in Columbus, OH. Big Family. Buckeye for life. Works for a company in Waukesha, WI called AirGas
Emily: Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Big family. Buckeye for life. Works as a nurse at the James Cancer Hospital at OSU
Emily and David: OSU students involved in the Student Alumni Council (SAC) since freshman year of college and have since become and remained wonderful friends and travel buddies. They also traveled together to the 2011 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA

Felvet Seats

Day 2
Friday, August 26, 2011


When David and I began the initial planning of this trip, we toyed around with several ideas of how to go about the voyage from a logistical standpoint. Before we did further investigation into the cost of each option, the one we liked most was driving a rental from Columbus to San Francisco then flying home, when the cost of that proved too steep David thought for a hot second that we could do as the guys on Top Gear did in their American adventure and buy a car on the east coast and sell it on the West. David informed me today as we were eating lunch staring at an old Buick with maroon seats, that was the vehicle he imagined we would buy and sell. This led to the discovery that we both grew up with the world’c coolest car…The Woody Wagon! It’s so sad that car interior colors are so bland nowadays. There is nothing like the feel of those wonderful velvet/felt blend seats that come in navy blue, hunter green, and of course, maroon.

Packed and ready to go....
notice it is dark out

Emily's Morning Face

In any case, We left Waukesha at 5:30 this morning (not my idea, and I certainly wasn’t the one driving for the first part of the ride). The sun came up as we headed down highway 94 and since getting onto highway 90 there has been a ceaseless array of malodorous scents ranging from cow to skunk to burning oil (we couldn’t find the source of the oil smell but we really only investigated insofar as to be assured it’s source was not my Jeep).

Right now we are in South Dakota, bombarded with highway signs for The World’s Largest Corn Palace and the notorious Wall Drug. The incessant signage reminds me of an old Boy Meets World episode where Cory and Eric are at a diner at the World’s Largest Sprinkle…I won’t further elaborate but hopefully Bridget and Becca will appreciate the reference.

It’s no O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A, but the wind certainly comes sweeping down the plains. Driving through Minnesota, it was like being in a GE commercial. The Minnesotans are taking the phrase “Harnessing the power of the wind” very seriously. Driving through wind farms is not just a little bit creepy…it feels like we are entering some post apocalyptic world where the we are over run by giant three armed machines. (see below)
***Dad, definitely don’t come here for golf, it’s flat, dry, and you may as well learn to aim 90 in the opposite direction you intend the ball to go cause the wind will take it there anyway!

I am beginning to worry I brought special Deet bug spray for no reason. We have cleared out a significant percentage of the Northern bug population and are currently suffering from impaired visibility from the dead bug guts on the windshield. Darn you Disney and Pixar for teaching us compassion for bugs! R.I.P. Little dudes
 I have also already learned the importance of wearing sunscreen while driving as I currently have one very red arm and a heck of a right thigh tan.

I sense impending cabin fever from being in the car for the better part of two days already, but I am still doing ok and David still has some in car time to make up. There are only 2 hours left driving today so I am optimistic we’ll manage, besides at the end of the day we finally get to see what this free ice water at Wall Drug is all about.

Jameson or Rob Roy?

Day 1
Thursday, August 25, 2011

Quarter says: Rob Roy it is :) Not my cup of tea certainly, my mom would like it though and seeing as there wasn't a drop left at the end of dinner, it seems David didn't have much of a problem with it either.

This morning I got up slightly after I had intended to leave (third time in a row I have managed to sleep through two alarms...) and I was on the road by 8:20 eastern time. Having gained an hour heading west, I managed to make the trip in 8.5hours arriving in Waukesha, WI by 4:30pm. The drive wasn't nearly as difficult alone as I had anticipated and I had David's directions, complete with commentary, to get me there in one piece. There were a few stops but all in all, a rather seamless journey.

Whenever we get together, there is always too much to talk about and not enough time...for this 11 day journey, we are going to put that theory to the test! I'm pretty sure I already have David wondering if I am capable of shutting up. I told him what Becca always says, "When Emily hasn't been around people for a while, she unloads all her thoughts on the first person she sees."

We went to a wonderful restaurant for dinner called Piano Blu and sat out on the patio at dusk. It overlooked Pewaukee Lake and was beautiful though certainly not the most picturesque place we will see over the next week and a half. After dinner we went to the Pick and Save (the local grocery) and got some provisions for the long car ride tomorrow...David just realized how early we will be needing to leave to make it to our end destination tomorrow night, I won't call it a hotel, the review I received had one promising detail, beds. That is the only thing it appears to have going for it (oh, and water!)

Since I am still in my night to day transition, I have to head to bed and hope I get a solid night sleep so I don't doze through the car ride tomorrow...That is on the list of things Emily isn't allowed to do on the trip :( I did not agree to that stipulation willingly!

More to come.
Sending love to everyone back home

P.S. I educated David on something very important tonight and I am forever adding this to one of the most shocking discoveries I have made about a person...David, who has been doing laundry by himself for many, many years, had never heard of dryer sheets ::speechless::

The colorful directions to Wisconsin with my follow up comments:

Directions to the World’s Most Amazing Bachelorpad.

***AKA The Fortress of Solitude...***

Trip is 436 Miles total, 8.5 to 9 hrs depending on how many stops you make

You must leave by 7 am Central time or you will hit rush hour in Chicago!

1.       Take I70 WB to Indiana: The Crossroads of America (Wave to Shelton Fireworks at the border)

2.       Continue on I70 WB until just outside Indianapolis (3 hrs of cornfields) then merge onto 465 NB (It’s called the Crossroads of America because everyone goes through this state to go somewhere else)

3.       From 465 NB merge onto 65 NB toward Chicago

4.       Continue on 65 NB (about 3 hrs).  Give the finger to Purdue University in West Lafayette. 

***West Lafayette smells like poop...must be the start of football season***

5.       I usually stop at this point for gas in either Rennslear, Remington or Merrillville.  Do NOT stop for gas south of Chicago around Gary, IN.  That is one of the roughest areas in the country (seriously, don’t get off the highway). 

6.       From 65 NB merge onto 80/94 toward Chicago (it will start to get very busy so pay attention)

***Bridget you are never to drive here EVER***

7.       From 80/94 WB merge onto I294 toward Wisconsin (aka Tristate Tollway: I recommend $10 in quarters for tolls)

***It's Highway Robbery! HAHAHA Get it?!***

8.       Continue on I294 around Chicago (1.5 hrs, watch for tolls because sometimes they pop up around a corner and it’s hard to get over)

9.       Merge onto I94 NB toward Wisconsin

10.   Continue on I94 into Milwaukee.  Wave to the Mars Cheese Castle at the Wisconsin border.  Welcome to America’s Dairyland.

***There really is a Cheese Castle, enough said***

Long overdue

We are within a week of our road trip launch and we are anxiously counting down these final days. David is probably the most perfect road trip partner for me because I have the devil may care adventure side full of spontaneity with (while it is not often used) a reasonable collection of camping tips and tricks, and of course where my own knowledge lacks, I have my Eagle Scout big brother to pick up my slack :)

David, on the other hand, is much more of a planner, organizer. He has done an amazing job of creating a detailed itinerary of our trip (see below). In attempts to remain flexible, as I have assured him will be necessary as we combat the unexpected happenings of the road, he has assured me that nothing is set in stone...

except when we arrive at Wall Drug, there is apparently a giant jackalope I must see and climb (this is "not optional" he says).

We are still in need of selecting our trail heads but we may just wait and see what we find when we arrive...

There is much still to do before my departure from Columbus on August 25, 2011 at 7am... but I am optimistic the excitement will power me through (especially hoping for a boost of energy for the 9 hour solo drive I will have to get to David initially. As for now, I need to make it through each of my last 4 shifts at work and then the real fun can begin!

 

THE SPINNING QUARTER ITINERARY

August 25 (Thursday)

AM: Emily drives to Milwaukee

PM: Activity (it’s a surprise)/dinner

Overnight: The Fortress of Solitude

August 26 (Friday)

AM: Drive to Badlands NP

PM: Still driving to Badlands NP

Overnight: arrive round about 6 pm, stay at either

http://www.igougo.com/journal-j60023-East_Berlin-2006_Trip_-_Part_1_-_IA_Badlands_Rushmore.html#1319539

or

http://sunshineinnatwallsd.com/rooms.asp

Notes: Wall Drug is 5 min from the park on I90, Emily has to take a picture on the Jackalope

August 27 (Saturday)

AM: Day hike in Badlands (NEED TO PICK A TRAILHEAD)

PM: Drive to Crazyhorse/Mt. Rushmore

Overnight: Stay in Rapid City somewhere

Notes: Grandma says we have to see the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore at night.

August 28 (Sunday)

AM: Drive to Yellowstone through Powell, WY

PM: Finish drive to Yellowstone, find a campsite (NEED TO PICK A CAMPSITE)

Overnight: camp in Yellowstone

Notes:

August 29 (Monday)

AM: Hike into backcountry in Yellowstone (NEED TO PICK A TRAILHEAD)

PM: Hike

Overnight: camp out in Yellowstone.  Way out.

Notes: We might be pushed for time here hiking back out the next morning?

August 30 (Tuesday)

AM: Hike back from camp

PM: Drive to Teton NP/Jackson Hole, explore Jackson Hole

Overnight: Stay in Jackson Hole (NEED TO FIND A HOTEL)

Notes: we’re supposed to have a nice dinner in Jackson Hole, this is our chill night, maybe research some stuff to explore

August 31 (Wednesday)

AM: Day Hike in Teton (NEED TO FIND A TRAILHEAD)

PM: Leave late for Bridger National Forest (NEED TO FIND ANOTHER TRAILHEAD)

Overnight: Camp by HNYMSRD (NEED TO FIND A CAMPSITE)

Notes:

September 1 (Thursday)

AM: Drive to Denver

PM: Still driving to Denver

Overnight: Chill with some relatives

Notes:

September 2 (Friday)

AM: Denver

PM: Drive up Pike’s Peak Highway (hopefully we aren’t sick of mountains yet)

Overnight: Chill with some relatives

Notes: Go out, have a last nice dinner, do the big city thing

September 3 (Saturday)

AM: Drive to Des Moines

PM: Still driving to Des Moines

Overnight: Hotel

Notes: Need to find a corn based tourist attraction

September 4 (Sunday)

AM: Drive back to Milwaukee

PM: Still driving back to Milwaukee

Overnight: The Fortress of Solitude

Notes:

September 5 (Monday)

The Spinning Quarter separates.  Emily drives back to Columbus.  L