How an introductory backcountry work party helped one volunteer feel more comfortable backpacking
Jess Wolf had never been backpacking before signing up for a 3-day intro BCRT work party. Not only did she gain more trail work experience that weekend, but she left with the confidence to take on more backpacking trips afterward.
Jess Wolf spent her early years in the Santa Cruz mountains, playing in the dirt and observing wildlife. But it wasn’t until she moved to Washington as an adult that she discovered a new level of love for hiking and camping.
“Moving to Washington was a game-changer. I went from being an occasional hiker to finding out that was the only form of exercise I really love, and there's nothing I'd rather do on a given Saturday,” she said.
But Jess wasn’t very familiar with backpacking. She’d only been on a single trip, but was interested in doing more. In particular, doing backcountry trail work with Washington Trails Association was something she was particularly interested in. She’d already done day work parties.
Longer trips felt out of reach though, as she scrolled through WTA’s multiday backcountry response team (BCRT) work parties.
Jess had a few day work parties under her belt before she started thinking about signing up for a BCRT. Photo by Cristy Caldwell.
“I was interested in doing a BCRT because I really like doing trail work and I love camping, but the description of the workload and required fitness level was intimidating,” she said. “Plus, I had virtually no backpacking experience, so I just didn't feel qualified to do a ‘real’ BCRT.”
As Jess sifted through work parties, she came across an intro BCRT work party and was intrigued.
Intro BCRTs, which WTA introduced last year, are a great way for folks who have some experience with trail work to try it with backpacking, or vice versa — with plenty of support from seasoned veterans.
“Everyone on intro BCRTs is excited to be there and they are very welcoming,” said Elizabeth Storm, a volunteer crew leader. “Whether you’re new to backpacking or trail work, everyone supports each other, from learning how to fit or pack your backpack to how to use the tools of the trade. Intro BCRTs are a great time to get the support and the sense of, ‘Hey, I can do this and it’s fun, I’m ready for more.’”
Jess took the plunge and signed up for a 3-day intro BCRT along the Dosewallips River Road trail. Elizabeth led the trip.
“I was definitely nervous, thinking I was going to forget something important and look silly for not being more prepared, or that my backpack was comically large,” she said. “I am a worrywart, but like with most outdoor things, for your first backpacking trip, you just have to ask friends for tips, download a good packing list and then go for it — there's no other way to learn!”
Lee Robinson, one of the assistant crew leaders (ACLs) on the trip, made sure that everyone knew the basics about both trail work and camping before getting started for the weekend. That included making sure folks were comfortable with trail work tools, and with setting up camp.
Jess (center) had a lot of fun both working on the trail and hanging out with folks at camp on her intro BCRT. Photo by Elizabeth Storm.
“I spent a bit more time with the ‘newbies to BCRTs,’ making sure they knew where a tent should or should not be set up, and to think about how the weather might affect where they might or might not set up their campsite,” Lee said.
The crew got a lot done over 3 days. After a relatively mild hike to the work site from camp, the group got to work. Some folks kept on hiking to clear drains further up the trail, other folks stayed back to clear and brush the trail corridor.
“The brush work was really satisfying, especially when we walked back down the trail and could see and feel how much more open it was compared to the hike up in the morning,” Jess said.
In addition to learning a lot about trail work, Jess got tons of tips on how to plan her future outdoor endeavors from the other folks on the crew.
“My favorite moments were sitting around on our bear canisters — and being jealous of the folks with soft chairs! — and comparing notes on backpacking meals over dinner,” Jess said. “It was just really fun to hang out and hear everyone compare notes on places they'd hiked or camped and get some advice for my next adventure.”
After the intro BCRT, which ended on a lovely clear day, Jess signed up for a 5-day BCRT with WTA and the Back Country Horsemen of Washington near Mount Adams. It was something she wasn’t comfortable with before her intro BCRT trip. On the trip, she helped re-route a trail.
After getting back from the intro BCRT, Jess signed up for another — longer! — BCRT later in the summer. Photo courtesy Jess Wolf.
Not only did the intro BCRT make Jess feel more comfortable with backcountry trail work, it also helped her feel more comfortable backpacking on her own, too.
“Having the experience of two BCRTs before I went made me feel a lot more confident in terms of my preparation,” she said. “From the BCRTs, I learned what was worth the weight and space (something to sit on!) and what wasn't (more clean clothes… I mean really, who cares?).”
But Jess says that the practical skills she gained from the BCRTs weren’t as big a deal as the confidence she got from just going on the trip at all.
“What was most helpful was just trying out a shorter trip with folks who could help in a pinch before I went out with my cousin and we were ‘on our own,’” she said. “Just knowing that I had already done it, had a good time — and with no major issues — made it so much less stressful to go backpacking and I was able to just enjoy that really special experience.”
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