Why is getting lost even a consideration on a guided backpack trip? After all, our guides are professionals, experts in wilderness navigation. But they are wilderness guide/naturalists, not babysitters. Which means that there will probably be times while backpacking in Yellowstone or in any other wild area, that our clients are off by themselves for various reasons, which I will discuss shortly. But first, hear this: Never leave camp to go on a walk without the guide, unless you first tell him where you are going and when you plan to return. This is important, and non-negotiable! And stay with the plan. That way, if something happens such as you don’t remember how to get back to camp or if you break your ankle, our guide will know where to find you.
Also, with or without the guide, never leave camp without your pepper spray (in grizzly country) and day-pack. Inside your day-pack should always be a warm layer such as your fleece pullover, your rain suit, water and matches/lighter. No matter the weather! Even on a sunny day, mountain weather can and does change rapidly, so don’t take the fair skies for granted. Remember the 6 P’s: proper planning prevents piss poor performance! Be prepared! Don’t become a victim of natural selection on a Big Wild trek. Plan properly, even for short hikes away from camp.
OK, why go off on your own (or with a friend or family member) without the guide? Lots of reasons. First and foremost is to relieve yourself and I can promise you that none of our guides wish to witness this very basic mammalian act! OK, for this one there’s no need to bring your day pack — but don’t forget the pepper spray, as folks have had encounters with bears while in a compromised position! That said, it is not impossible to get lost while on a bowel mission. Really. It has happened. While backpacking in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness on a layover day, one fellow disappeared with the orange shovel shortly after breakfast and quite some time later he had not yet returned. In the open ponderosa forest, he had walked a long ways from camp in order to be completely hidden, so far that he couldn’t remember the way back to camp! Fortunately, he remembered my pre-trip instructions to stay put if you get lost. He did. And I easily found him by simply walking in the the direction in which he was seen sauntering off with the orange trowel to his private location. In the next installment, we’ll look at a couple of other scenarios that illustrate the potential to get lost on a guided wilderness backpack trip. Stay tuned….
