Love, Hate and Backpacking
While I love nature, I have a love/hate relationship with backpacking.
My first experience was in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania when I was a teenager. My little sister and my cousin were on the trip too. The walk to the campsite wasn’t too bad – though I should add we walked DOWN to the campsite. All I remember about the way out the next day was my little sister pitching things out of her pack in protest, while the rest of us picked them up to carry for her. Though I’m not a soda drinker now, back then all I could think about was a cold Pepsi. Essentially, it was a lesson in endurance.
In my adult years, I backpacked once before my son was born (see photo). That time on the way out we discovered the creek was impassable. Our options were to go back the way we came and then out another way or cross the high and ice-cold creek. I was exhausted, so despite my fear and tender toes, I took off my hiking books and stepped into the fast-rushing water. I had thoughts prior to that moment of walking carefully across to avoid dumping over with my heavy pack, but when the needles from the nearly frozen water hit my feet, all thoughts of safe passage went out the window. I don’t remember anything except the exquisite relief of getting out of the water.
Fast forward to my current life and I’ve added several more backpacking trips under my belt. Have I loved them? Um, well, maybe not, though I have enjoyed the places I’ve gotten to see because of them. And thanks to my ten-year-old friend Kmila, my last trip wasn’t too bad.
This week, I’m going on another backpacking-like trip – this time in celebration of my father’s 80th birthday. Me and eight men (yes, you heard that right) are going for a weeklong canoeing trip into the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada via the Boundary Waters. I’ve done this trip before (long, long ago) and while it made a lot of great memories, what stands out most was my longing for a shower.
Why am I going on this trip again, you ask?
Good question.
I think it boils down to two things. One, I love the lakes in that part of the world. It is truly spectacular. Second, I’m excited to spend time with my family out in such a wild place.
And, I should mention that I’ve also arranged for two sherpas – or that’s what I’m calling them. I’m in a three-person canoe with my partner and his brother so I can enjoy the view without sore paddling muscles. I’m sure there will still be backpacking type challenges (and heavy loads to haul across the portages between lakes), but I’m also sure it will be another opportunity to make great memories.
One of those great memories - a picture is really worth a thousand words isn’t it?
