Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#203700 - 11/19/19 09:38 PM My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3
JerrySC13 Offline
member

Registered: 11/19/19
Posts: 28
Loc: Chapin, SC
Learning from My Mistakes

Early in the summer of 2019 I began organizing backpacking trips. Taking groups of people, most of whom had never even been inside a tent, out to the wilderness for overnight stays. The group sizes ranged from three to as many as seven people. Seven may not sound like a big number. With six of them having never spent a night in the mountains, ensuring their safety, and fun, became a giant task.

The first trip in June involved six people. We stayed on top of a mountain bald. In the evening there was a nice breeze to accompany our beautiful views. Spirits were high with no shortage of laughing. By the early morning hours we were presented with a different setting. Wind began blowing driving rain into the sides of my tent. Two people abandoned their tent and crammed into another one.

My mistakes as their leader started weeks before this trip.

I have been backpacking off and on since 1989. During a 20-year career in the Marine Corps I received extensive training in orienteering; what the military calls “land navigation.” I learned orienteering from two perspectives; on the ground and from the air. I was a helicopter pilot in the Marines. If you’ve been in the Corps, or you know a little about it, then you know that every Marine is a rifleman first. Before I entered flight school I spent six months training in the woods around Quantico, Virginia.

I was already comfortable spending time out in nature. Marine Corps training took me beyond my comfort zone, and that is an understatement. With all of this training, and multiple section hikes on the AT since leaving the Corps, I felt I was ready to teach backpacking. I wasn’t completely wrong. Nor was I prepared.

As with many things in life it comes down to preparation. I thought I was properly preparing these kids for a wilderness adventure. I felt confident I had them ready until we took our first steps on the trail. Immediately I began noticing little things I had either not covered, or not emphasized strongly enough before our departure.

One person was carrying multiple items. Her pack was not large enough. She had arrived with a school bookbag as her backpack. When our first rain shower approached in the afternoon, half of the people were unable to don their cheap ponchos due to breezy conditions. When setting up camp one pair did not have the proper tent poles (this is the pair who ended up in another tent). Another individual, when preparing dinner, realized she did not have anything to eat from, or with. The list goes on.

We survived. More than survived to be fair. We all returned with stories and most of them are still into backpacking.

Despite my mistakes I discovered how much I thoroughly enjoyed taking people out for their first experience in the wilderness. Fast forward to November 2019, after having led multiple excursions, my confidence level as a trail guide is much higher. Confidence? Yes. Expert? Never.

One of the things I love about acting as a trail guide is the unique challenges I will continue to experience. Challenges from what nature will throw at me. Challenges from working with individuals who bring different personalities to the trail.

Following that first trip I began organizing how I communicated. I created emails I saved as drafts. I emphasized the important things, and the little things, to make backpacking more enjoyable. This ultimately became one of the reasons I created a website with a focus on teaching backpacking. Please check out the Mountain Blazers web site.

I do not harbor any illusions that a website, or detailed emails, will completely prepare others for their initial journey into backpacking. I view these communication platforms as great starting points. People are individuals. As a trail guide I feel I have to tailor how I communicate on a personal level.

Emails and text messages are often not enough. At times I’ve required one-on-one meetings with full packs. We unpack and repack. We pitch tents in my front yard.

I created my website more because I love writing and I love to teach others. Mountain Blazers is my way of expressing my passion toward backpacking, and teaching backpacking. It’s also a new hiking club in the Carolinas.

My efforts are already paying dividends. After a full summer of leading groups, learning how to better prepare them, helping people struggle through their first tough hike, I have been rewarded. Two of them, a 19 year old female and a 16 year old male, are now experienced hikers. I have confidence these two could head out on their own, on a multi-day section hike, and not only be fine, but enjoy the experience.

Even on that very first trip. Watching the wonderment in eyes new to mountain vistas. On later trips witnessing the sense of accomplishment when returning from a trip which took them beyond their comfort level.

This is what drives me to continue my quest to improve as a trail guide. It is another reason why I created my website. To seek out others who have a desire to learn backpacking.

In August and October I would face other challenges as a trail guide. It would require more than experience to overcome these challenges. My measure as a leader and my physical conditioning would be tested. I discuss this in part two.

I look to 2020 with great anticipation. When I will hopefully take many more people on their first ever wilderness adventure. Or others who’ve been but want to challenge themselves a little further. I’m ready and excited!


Edited by aimless (11/20/19 12:30 AM)
Edit Reason: removed links to web site (you can websearch for it very easily)
_________________________

Please check out my website and blog: https://www.mountainblazers.com/

Top
#203701 - 11/19/19 11:49 PM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: JerrySC13]
Glenn Roberts Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I've done the same thing - and learned many of the lessons you did. I've also had people show up with circus tents, expecting us to show them how to make it fit in their bookbag. smile

I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

Several of us here have been group leaders for folks of all ages who are new to backpacking. Let us know if you want feedback after you get all 3 parts posted; also, feel free to ask questions, if you want to. One thing that is not in short supply here is advice!

And, welcome to the forums.

Top
#203702 - 11/20/19 12:14 AM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: Glenn Roberts]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
I'll second what Glenn has said. When we take newbies backpacking, we pretty much provide all the gear. That's the only way to make sure that they have what they need...And we've been doing this long enough that we have equipment for 3-4 other people if we need it.

Looking forward to your next post!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top
#203703 - 11/20/19 04:59 AM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: Glenn Roberts]
JerrySC13 Offline
member

Registered: 11/19/19
Posts: 28
Loc: Chapin, SC
Thank you for the reply!

This is giving me a great outlet since all of my trips keep getting canceled due to weather, which might happen again this weekend. frown When I'm not taking new people out I love to get out and just enjoy a hike. I'm trying for a GA section this weekend, but the outlook isn't too great. I can handle weather, but prefer to avoid cold rain. Yuck.

Thanks again for responding. I hope to get time to read some posts today (between running a coffee shop).
_________________________

Please check out my website and blog: https://www.mountainblazers.com/

Top
#203704 - 11/20/19 05:01 AM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: balzaccom]
JerrySC13 Offline
member

Registered: 11/19/19
Posts: 28
Loc: Chapin, SC
By the way Glenn, nice website. I believe I've started providing some of the same advice as you have in my website. Tells me that perhaps I'm on the right track. smile
_________________________

Please check out my website and blog: https://www.mountainblazers.com/

Top
#203705 - 11/20/19 05:04 AM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: balzaccom]
JerrySC13 Offline
member

Registered: 11/19/19
Posts: 28
Loc: Chapin, SC
I think I just gave Glenn credit for your website. Oops!

Nice website. I really want to get out west and hike the Sierras! I lived out there for over a decade, but that was when I was in the Marines. Didn't have much time for recreational hiking back then.

Thanks for the reply!
_________________________

Please check out my website and blog: https://www.mountainblazers.com/

Top
#203707 - 11/20/19 09:30 AM Re: My Journey as a Trail Guide - Part 1 of 3 [Re: JerrySC13]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
No worries--I'm sure that Glenn would give much o the same advice that we do on our website!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum