Peter's Backpacking Trip

Every year Peter, his two brothers and their dad go on a challenging backpacking trip. This year, they decided to plan a trip that wouldn't be as grueling as the last few and might allow for more time to venture off the trail and climb some peaks if they wanted to. Here are Peter's comments about the trip:

The trip turned out nothing like I had expected. He backpacked in the Goat Rocks area (between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams). This area usually has a hiking season of mid-July to mid-August. We were pushing it going a little early in the season, especially this year with all the late snow we've had. I carried plenty of "extra" items in my pack since the daily mileage on the trip wouldn't be too bad, but it turned out to be extremely treacherous and difficult. With a TON more snow than is usually there, the trail was completely obscured for several miles at a time. We had to deal with hundreds of fallen trees, steep snow and ice field crossings, deep snow, a lack of water sources on the trail, super cold nights, wet boots and socks, sunburns and the risk of slipping on the snow and sliding down a dangerous snow field. I will have to work more on getting some pictures ready to post.

For now, here is a video of one of the most stressful snow crossings we faced. You'll see my dad "kicking steps" into the snow in order to have a sturdy, deep foothold for the rest of us. I usually followed him and tried to give the steps an extra kick or two. Being heavier than anybody else in the group, I could blow-out a step that would be fine for everybody else - but I could also sink the step a little deeper and make sure it's safe for those who followed. I should also mention that my dad is 60 years old and led the pack most of the time. He was the expert step-kicker, sometimes taking 5+ kicks to make one stable step for the rest of us. This takes of ton of energy and gets really old after about 5 minutes. Imagine how he felt after doing it for several hours a day! The video below shows an extra effort on his part because:
1) the rock to the right of us with very unstable - a handhold on it would often tear the rock right off
2) This snowfield was very steep
3) At the bottom of this snowfield were some cliffs - the "not so friendly" sort of cliffs, not those soft and fuzzy kind that just tickle when you fall down them


Here is a cool video of us making it to the top of a windy but beautiful peak.



Most people think that the common technique for walking with a backpack on is pretty boring. They are correct. However, mountaineering can be much more exciting to watch and employs some steps and moves that have similar origins as modern ballet. For example, if one loses one's balance on a snowfield and desires to travel down said snowfield while balancing a 50-pound backpack, one has a few options for "dance steeping." The technique you see me apply below is particularly useful in this situation and is especially appropriate when your backpack is trying to slide up over your head and force your face down into the snow. Take a look.


You can see in the video below that I didn't have time to perform the proper "dance stepping" technique. You'll first see my brother Byron descend a snowy slope, then my dad will descend and I will follow him. As you will see, I apply an advanced sliding technique - a technique which is fun both to watch and to perform, but which limits your ballet-derived options for a fall recovery. In the end, I had to settle for something a little more like tumbling, which the judges just don't like to see.