. . .
It always starts with a map and an off-hand conversation. For me, it was a “hey, wouldn’t it be sweet to float that?” as we sped by the Snake River in Southwestern Wyoming poking our head out the window of a ’75 Volkswagen bus. The spirit grows, and you start discerning maps with a different lens, picking out small blue lines running against the grain of elevation lines...and such.
Be reasonable. For a first-time adventure, error on the side of doing as much as possible that you’ve already done, and letting the variable be the piece you would like to improve upon. For this trip, that variable will be the whitewater rafting piece. Take that piece out, and it would be a backpacking trip in Grizzly Country - it’s been done before.
Build from the essentials. From a gear perspective, survival and thrival (my word) will depend on staying warm, dry, fast and full...and comfortable too.
Warm & Dry: The only time you’re ever really warm and dry in the outdoors is at night, and if you’re lucky, mealtimes. But you need the ability to get to that happy place - that is crucial. You can get through a hard day of paddling through a cold drizzle, but come night time you will need to recoup your strength with a good night’s rest. There’s a distinct possibility of all my gear getting soaked on this trip - due to a slip into a stream, capsizing, rain, etc. - so I will need clothes that insulate while wet. I have chosen a combination of primaloft and capilene. Down tends to pill while wet, and I find it less durable for the outdoors.
Fast: Speed captures the essence of feeling the joy and splendor of the outdoors. Speed is comfortable, light, gripping footwear that is worn in (no blisters). Speed is a light pack, and a good pre-trip workout preparation. Speed is also having the right craft for the water, and a good paddle to propel you.
Full: Maybe full isn’t the correct term - but outdoor activities require calories, and the right type too. A properly planned menu that is lightweight, easy to cook, tasty and energizing is essential to enjoyment of the outdoors. Challenges are met better on a full stomach. Count calories on your preparatory trips, then add 10% for the long haul - that’s my rule of thumb. My menu for the trip will contain mostly dehydrated and freeze-dried vittles, along with some energy bars, and Aloha! caffeine.
Comfortable: This isn’t an essential, but should integrate with most of the other decisions. A piece of footwear that saves a few ounces but is not as comfortable just isn’t worth it. Comfort equals happiness equals strength. Go Strong.
Identify your ‘cherry on top’. Wilderness trips can’t be all about survival. There’s got to be a carrot in there that, if everything goes to plan, and a little something to push for. Whether it’s an optional peak to bag, a waterfall to jump, or just a magnificient meal from scratch. For this trip, I am choosing excellent filmography for my cherry on top - some sweet video going down rapids, wildlife stills, fireside audio - the works. And a fish; I would love to catch a salmon on the river and eat it right then and there. Maybe something like this:
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