WILDERNESS PROGRAM 40th ANNIVERSARY REUNION TRIP

alpine backpacking

ALPINE BACPACKING: UINTA WILDERNESS, UTAH

FEATURES OF THIS COURSE:

THE COURSE:
This remote range of alpine meadows, rocky summits, and glacial lakes was officially recognized as a Wilderness Area in 1984.  The Wilderness Program has a nose for pristine environments though: these remarkable mountains were the setting for the first August Wilderness “brigade” all the way back in 1971. Returning every year since then, Earlham students have navigated through nearly all the half-million acres of wooded valleys, broad glacier-carved basins, and even ascended some of the highest peaks and passes in Utah.

Making use of 40 years of institutional knowledge, we will enter the High Uintas Wilderness on the North Slope and camp at some of the most scenic spots, fish the most productive lakes, and travel the best of trails. Some days will be spent hiking through the woods while others will be spent above tree line in transit to adjacent basins. Mixed in between, there will be layover days to relax and appreciate the surroundings, practice fly-fishing casts, or explore around camp without the burden of packs.

Carved by glaciers into their current form, the Uintas are comprised of Precambrian quartzite and shale. Over thousands of years these rocks have weathered into soils that support forests of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir and lodgepole pine. Wildflowers thrive in these forests and flourish above treeline, adding a great amount of color to the landscape. In turn, these different types of vegetation support a variety of animals like moose, elk, and marmot.

Instructors will help guide participants through the terrain though everyone will be expected to do their share of the work including carrying their own pack, and assisting with campsite set-up and meal preparation. Along the way, there will be opportunities to learn new camping and hiking skills as well as learn about and appreciate the local natural history

A TYPICAL DAY:
A typical day might involve an early start around 6:00am and then divvying up morning chore responsibilities including camp breakdown and cooking breakfast. After packing up your packs, you reconvene with the entire group in a central clearing just through the trees and discuss the day's route and general schedule (which involves a pass). After the briefing a buddy helps you put your pack on (its still heavy!) and you begin hiking down the trail. After a couple of miles, you take a packs-off break to fill up water bottles and assess the mountain pass that is in front of you (it looks very intimidating!). Your instructors spend some time talking about how to safely travel over passes in alpine country and then you're off. It starts off easy but soon becomes quite steep and the going gets tough. You take one step at a time and, with lots of encouragement from the group and leaders, you are soon at the top of the pass with an amazing view unfolding all around you. It is just before lunch and, with the weather cooperating, you break for a lunch of bagels, cheese, peanut butter, jelly and dried fruit. One of your instructors uses the great view to teach an impromptu lesson on glaciology and the geological formation of the Uinta Mountains, showing how the glaciers formed vast moraines and talus slopes. After lunch, you carefully make your way down the other side of the pass and head toward the gorgeous alpine lake you see thousands of feet below. You are really looking forward to getting to camp early for some rest and relaxation!

But, just as you come down from the steep mountain pass, a thunderstorm appears almost out of nowhere (your instructors warned you this happens a lot in the mountains). Your group responds well and you all don rain gear and scatter into the lower treeline to wait out the storm. After 20 minutes of rain, lightening, and even some hail, you all emerge wet but unscathed. You arrive at your designated camping area an hour later than anticipated but confident about making it through both the pass and the storm. You and your tent mates set out to look for a suitable place to setup- far enough from the other groups to maintain the "minimum impact" camping ethic you have learned. You still have some time before dinner so you head down to the lake where you journal for a bit and watch another alum try their hand at fly-fishing for trout. Soon, your other tentmates call you for dinner and you sit down to a nice meal of rice, stir-fry, and pita bread. After dinner, the whole group congregates near the lake to talk about the day and catch up on both past and current life at Earlham. As the last light of the sun hits the peaks above you and sets them on fire in orange and yellow color, you wonder at the magic of this place. After a low-impact fire and more conversation, you wander back to your tent and fall asleep, ready for whatever the next day will bring. Of course, remember that a "typical day" can be planned but factors like weather always effect plans in the mountains!

PHYSICAL CONDITIONING:
Our hikes will range from a few to ten miles a day at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 feet and packs will weight 45-60 pounds at their heaviest. As a result, conditioning before your course is important for your safety and the safety of others. It will also add to your enjoyment of the wilderness experience. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of starting a conditioning routine well before your course. We want to encourage, not intimidate you. This course can be strenuous, but the physical challenges are well within the ability of a person in good general fitness. Being in shape will not guarantee you an easy time on your course but it will allow you to focus on enjoying the companionship of others, learning skills, and observing the beauty of the natural landscape.

This course requires both strength (carrying packs) and stamina (ascending and descending passes). In addition to doing strength training, be sure to do endurance related activities such as jogging, hiking, cycling, or swimming. Anything that gets your heart rate up for more than 30 minutes will help build your aerobic fitness.

If you're beginning a fitness routine, start slowly. Aim for three sessions a week for about 30-45 minutes each. Gradually increase length and frequency.

ILLNESS AND INJURY:
Injuries and illness are not common on Wilderness Program trips, but they can occur. Our staff members are trained in first aid and carry sufficient resources for emergency medical services if they are required. When severe injury or illness requires evacuation and/or professional medical care, the injured person is responsible for costs incurred on her or his behalf. This includes the cost of transportation from the backcountry to medical facilities. If the illness prevents the participant from returning to the wilderness, he or she must pay the cost of public transportation home. Insurance may cover medical expenses and sometimes covers evacuation costs.

If you have questions or reservations regarding the information presented, please contact the Wilderness Office.


Contact Us:

Wilderness Programs
801 National Road West, Drawer 87
Richmond, IN 47374
phone:(765) 973-2121; fax: (765) 983-1207
Wilderness@earlham.edu