Mosaic Monday #21: Going Backcountry

3/26/2019.  12.39 p.m.  My email pings.

Dear Backcountry Permit Applicant:

We have received and successfully processed your Glacier National Park Advance Reservation Backcountry Permit Application.  Based on the parameters noted on your application and availability of campsites when we processed your application, we were able to secure the trip itinerary at the end of this email.

Yippee!  We're going camping!  And not just any camping - BACKCOUNTRY camping.  For the uninitiated, this means spending at least one night in the wilderness, usually at a designated campsite far from the nearest road.

No, no one is holding a gun to my head as I write this - we are actually willing participants in this activity.  In January, we began our planning for summer 2019.  Bold red ink outlined the little rectangle on the March planner page representing March 15 - the all-important deadline for backcountry permit applications.  

When backcountry camping in Glacier National Park, you are required to submit your applications on line, which in turn obliges you to establish an account with Pay.Gov beforehand.  In our case, we hope to have three separate camping trips - one night, two nights and three nights.  To improve our chances of approval, each application included at least 3 possible itineraries and a span of 2 to 4 weeks.  Simply, it's complicated!

For applications submitted on March 15, the  backcountry website advises you not to expect a response for at least a month, hence my delight to receive approval for our 1-night itinerary in only 12 days!  (We are still waiting responses on the other two itineraries.)

And what a coincidence the approval arrived on the same day we scheduled an outfitting session at REI Co-op.  (Note that I am not receiving any compensation from REI or any other commercial organization for this post.)  REI Co-op offers a by-appointment outfitting service to its members, which in my mind sets it apart from its competitors.  Jim, assigned to us for the afternoon, began by placing a number of small items on the counter.  Bear spray.  Medical kit.  Headlamp.  Cords.

I think we established some immediate credibility by stating that we already possess all of these items.  Taking it a step further, Spousal Unit described his research into lightweight tents, down to the model and size.  (Jim observed that most people buy a tent that is one person bigger than the number of campers actually sleeping in it, to account for pets and gear that might also occupy the tent.  Well, we don't plan to take the cats.  And, with the exception of boots, pajamas, head lamps and bear spray, all our gear will be hung well away from the tent to avoid attracting any bruin.)  So, Jim readily located the desired tent, and working as a three-some, we assembled it right there in the store.  Incredibly easy.

Yes, the tent fits in this little 20" by 6" bag

And so the afternoon progressed.  We experimented with inflatable sleeping pads and lightweight sleeping bags.  (Memo to me: bring a beanie for sleeping in cold weather.)  We climbed into the tent to make sure we could fit comfortably shoulder to shoulder.

Throughout, our discussion hinged on comfort versus weight.  For example, a medium Aeros pillow weighs 2 ounces and a large tips the scale at 2.5 ounces.  It may not seem like much, but when you add numerous items with "just a little more" weight, it can translate to several additional pounds that you will carry on your own back for as much as 30 miles on a three-night camping trip.  Ultimately, we will try to limit my pack to 25 pounds, and that of Spousal Unit to 30 pounds.

Spousal Unit was fitted with a new backpack.  It's quite a process, starting with strap adjustment without any weight in the pack.  Then, Jim adds bags to the pack; each bag is marked with a weight, such as 5 pounds.  Loaded with 25 pounds, the pack was hoisted and then Jim had Spousal Unit check for load balance - did it feel like the pack was tipping forward or back?  After some adjustment, Spousal Unit went off for a walk around the store to test the feel of the pack.  The first one placed too much pressure on his lower back, but he felt very comfortable in the second pack, pictured here.

While Spousal Unit strolled, I took a gander around the store.  It opened recently, and I admire its helpful displays.

Center: each section of the store has maps - hiking = hiking trails; kayaking = rivers; etc.

During our session, Jim had plenty of tips.  Who knew there was a right and a wrong way to hoist the backpack onto your shoulders?  And would you have imagined the need for a "pumphouse", recommended for inflatable sleeping pads because our breath contains moisture and bacteria that over time will degrade the pad material?

Jim's advice extended to the storage of our gear.  For example, down sleeping bags should be hung when not in use in order to prevent compression of the down.

Essentials: coffee, moleskin, fuel can stabilizer, water treatment system,

tent footprint (layer of protection between tent and ground),

collapsible cup, microfiber towel and folding utensil

At the end of the session, Jim helped us to the car with our gear.   A genteel final touch on what turned out to be anything but a cheap date.  But as my neighbor says: You don't want cheap when you are in the middle of a wilderness!  

Watch this space for our upcoming adventures ...

Mosaic Monday

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