A Typical Day Connecting and Lodging Information For Beginners
Bears In The Big Wild Physical Fitness
Backpacking (Wilderness Trekking) and Canoeing are the most basic and exciting ways to wilderness adventure. Backpacking is simply exploring beautiful wild country on foot, self-sufficient, hiking with all essential items in a modern comfortable backpack. Canoeing is also self-sufficient, self-propelled transportation through a wilderness environment, and our Missouri River canoe trips are on a big gentle river with no dangerous whitewater. On all of our adventures, you will be camping in a tent in a primitive undeveloped area. All of our trips are in real wilderness, and they are led by some of the most experienced guide/naturalists in America.
We require no prior experience. Scheduled trips vary in difficulty, so you can choose a trip that suits your fitness level. We get folks off the beaten path into wild and remote enclaves that few others ever experience, and we practice “low-impact” (“leave no trace”) hiking and camping.
Planning: We do all of the trip planning and logistics, secure all required permits, provide transportation from town to and from the trailheads, and we supply 3 hearty meals daily plus snacks. We also supply camp and cooking gear, plus state of the art equipment (backpacks, day-packs, tents, sleeping bags and pads, eating utensils). Or, bring your own gear for a $200 gear discount. Just show up ready for adventure. Let our unsurpassed experience set your mind at ease and your body in motion!
To Arrange a Trip: Download the Backpacking and Canoeing Questionnaire, complete the Questionnaire and mail with deposit. Or you can sign up by calling us at 406-848-7000.
LAYOVERS: All scheduled trips – even the strenuous ones – have at least one layover (two nights at the same camp) so folks can explore, fish, day-hike, or just enjoy a beautiful location daydreaming and watching the clouds float by!
SOME TRIPS HAVE GREAT FISHING. Although we are not official fishing guides, tell us if this is one of your interests and we can advise you on fishing prospects for any of our trips (bring your own fishing gear), and where to get a license, which is always required.
BIG WILD ADVOCATES TRIPS: Our sister organization, Big Wild Advocates, is a 501-c-3 non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring public wildlands and wildlife habitat. It is run primarily by Big Wild Adventures owners Howie Wolke and Marilyn Olsen. These trips are run entirely by and for Big Wild Advocates, led by a professional Big Wild Adventures guide, and are listed on this website along with our Big Wild Adventures trips. Sign up as you would sign up for a Big Wild Adventures trip, but please make your check payable to “Big Wild Advocates”. All payments are donations and are tax-deductible under applicable laws! Proceeds are used to advance Big Wild Advocates’ conservation agenda: to protect and restore big, wild ecological wilderness.
Backpacking and Canoeing Equipment: As outfitters, we supply our clients with proper-fitting modern lightweight backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, tents and eating utensils. We use quality outdoor gear, and most novices are surprised how comfortable carrying a backpack can be. Many clients, especially those who regularly join us in the wilds, opt to supply gear and receive a $200 discount, as specified each year on our Questionnaire form. Click one of the links below for a complete list of the equipment we recommend.
Food: We supply three hearty healthy meals each day: hot breakfast and dinner, a nourishing trail lunch and plenty of calorie-filled snacks plus hot drinks in the morning and evening. The needs of coffee addicts will be met! We are also happy to accommodate the needs of vegetarians and those with food allergies. Our guides organize all of the food prior to each trip, and each participant is given a bag to carry in his/her backpack with a portion of the group’s food.
We do all of the cooking and supply all of the cooking gear! And, except where prohibited by regulations, we cook over campfires.
Although we utilize some freeze dried food to minimize pack weights, we emphasize fresh foods with plenty of healthy produce. Much of the food we supply is organic and/or natural with no chemical additives! Hot whole grain cereals with fruit or nuts are typical breakfasts. For lunch we have various sandwiches including PB&J, bagels with cream cheese and salmon, salami and cheese with cucumbers; also tuna, hummus and crackers and more. Dinners are usually pasta, rice or bean-based with fresh vegetables, spices and sometimes with chicken or beef for our omnivorous guests. We also supply a variety of energy bars, dried fruit, high-energy trail mix and various other snacks. These are just a few samples of our nourishing and tasty trail diet.
Physical fitness is important: If you have any doubts about your health or fitness, we strongly recommend that you see your physician before the trip. For more information about fitness requirements and conditioning, please consult our physical fitness page.
HAVE A GREAT TIME!
