Who Says You Can't Backpack in S. Jersey?

It's not always easy to find long, remote backpacking trails in the tri-state area. However after a bit of research, I came across Wharton State Forest. Once I searched through their website, I found the Batona Trail– a 50mile trail that runs through the heart of the S. Jersey woods. Jackpot!

The Batona Trail

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to hike the full 50 miles (one day I will though). Nevertheless, this trip was still rather special. I decided to bring my father along, a man who has never done anything remotely outdoor related. After mapping out the intended route, I spent a couple days reviewing the backcountry with him: bears, food, lightning, water, and setting up camp. 

The plan was to hike 7.3mi N from the Batsto Visitor Center to the Lower Forge site (above) and then back out the next day. At first, the quality of the river water had me nervous. I was not sure if it would be safe to drink even after filtering (Pine Barren water can be sort of shady). So I decided to pack in extra water for cooking and the hike out. Between my dad and I we had 8L of water (heavy, I know). I also packed my backpacking hammock so we could relax a bit when we got into camp. 

The topography of the hike was quite easy– almost entirely flat. The trail was very well marked and easy to follow. However I had to be on constant look out for blazes as there were dozens of spur trails and dirt roads seemingly every few hundred feet. Luckily I had my GPS and a map of the area with me. 

About halfway through, we took and extended break and had a nice lunch of hummus and tortillas. Following this rest I started to notice my dad struggling; he kept shifting his pack and placing his hands on his hips to relieve the weight. Now he is not out of shape by any stretch of the woods, but he was working muscles he had never worked before. He informed me that he felt some pain on his hips (I had already adjusted the pack numerous times, this was just normal fatigue). So I took roughly 15lbs out of his pack so that we could continue moving. Finally, we arrived at a large intersection called Quaker Bridge– the home stretch. 

The Quaker Bridge Intersection (Not my photo)

From here our pace slowed considerably. My pop was just all around exhausted. We pushed up the trail to the next intersection, which was the turnoff for the campsite. Finally.

The Spur Trail (Not my photo)

At long last we made it to the nearly empty site. We pitched the tent and strung the hammock up right away. I checked out the water and decided it would be okay to pump. Well actually I pumped a few liters then put some iodine tablets in it just to be safe. Next, I went to scout out a good tree for the bear hang. After gathering up some dryish firewood, I managed to get a decent fire going (good enough for marshmallows!). We then boiled some water up for a freeze dried dinner of pasta and sauce (yum). Once we hoisted the bear hang up, we settled in for the night.

The following morning, my dad was fairly sore. At this point, I decided to alter our route. Instead of heading back to Batsto, we would push NW to Atsion in order to shorten the distance we had to walk. Following a breakfast of eggs and sausage, we packed our bags and headed out. The trek was uneventful this time and we made it 3/4 up the trail (actually a dirt road) until our ride (who we called the night before) picked us up. And just like that our journey ended. Back into civilization.

So just because a hike seems easy does not mean it will be a walk in the park. Even a hike in S. Jersey can prove challenging. Always remember to prepare an alternate plan of action.

Stay safe and enjoy.

My Climb Up Mt. Rainier

First some background: prior to my ascent of Mt. Rainier, I've never had any true high altitude experience. The mountain had captivated me from the first time I saw it and began to read into it. It had become a personal challenge of mine, something I felt I had to do. I finally had the chance to climb it this past season. 

My first glimpse of the beast

For my post about Mt. Rainier, I'd like to focus more on how the climb affected me, rather than the details of the climb.

But no post about any climb would be complete without details, so I'll go ahead and give some quick ones. The ascent was straightforward– a 2-day (well 32 hours actually) push up the Disappointment Cleaver route. On day 1, I started at Paradise (5,400') and climbed about 5.5 hours to Camp Muir (~10,000'). After 3 hours of rest and 5 hours of light sleep, I woke up at midnight to begin my summit prep. With my crampons, helmet, and harness on, I set off into the night under the glow of my headlamp. I traversed the Cowlitz Glacier and headed up Cathedral Gap to the Ingraham Flats. From there I slogged up the Cleaver to High Break. Finally, I went up to the summit crater and stepped onto Columbia Crest at about 7:30AM. My day ended back in the Paradise parking lot around 5PM. That was it. Climb over, right? Wrong.

The Disappointment Cleaver Route

14,410'

Not a day has gone by since that summit in early July where I haven't relived every second of the climb. I'll see little things throughout the day that bring me back to the mountain– a pack of ramen noodles (my dinner at Muir), a flashlight, or even a portable toilet. What the ascent has truly given me is a frame of reference for everyday life. Whenever I'm faced with a challenge, like homework or projects, I think back to the mountain. After all, a few hours of homework is nothing compared to that 30+ hour mental and physical test that I passed. The sheer sense of accomplishment that the hike has given me is immense. Every trek I've done since the mountain I always think, "If I climbed the mountain, then I can certainly do this." I still don't think the adrenaline from that ascent has left my body. And I don't believe it ever will. Even as I tackle bigger mountains, the thrill of that first summit is something that will stay with me forever. 

Of course, I did not conquer the mountain. Nobody ever "beats" the mountain. The mountain was nice enough to give me fantastic weather while I was on it. It has no mercy. It does not care if you are a first timer or a seasoned pro. I am just thankful I made it down safely because at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Stay safe and enjoy.

The Joy of Backpacking

Backpacking evokes something primitive in us. It brings us back to a time when basic luxuries did not exist– no toilets, refrigerators, A/C, or even clean water. In the backcountry, one lives very simply. You have everything you need to comfortably exist on your back. None of your problems in the world matter; the wilderness demands your full attention. Even your daily routine is simple: wake-up, eat, pack, hike, unpack, eat, sleep. Simple. Homework, stress, traffic, projects, and bills do not exist in the backcountry. I've met people who cannot fathom why I would want to walk 10+ miles every day, poo in a hole, and purify my water. And the truth is it brings me joy. And I love to do it. And the outdoors continue to draw me back time and time again.

It's rare to feel totally disconnected in today's world. Most everybody has access to a phone, computer, or television. Even someone without electronics could be reached by old snail mail. Yet in the backcountry, you have none of this. If you close your eyes right now, you'd probably hear a car or phone or the subtle humming of something electronic. If you go into the woods and close your eyes, you'd hear the wind and water. Disconnected. It's a wonderful feeling knowing nobody can contact you, one that you can only truly experience in the backcountry. There have been times when I was over 50 miles from the nearest road and I recall those times as some of my happiest. 

Not only does backpacking bring joy, but it also develops character. A solo backpacking trip is a fantastic way to build confidence and a sense of self-reliance. You are 100% responsible for  yourself– you must cook, clean, and set up camp all alone. You have to be disciplined by making sure all your gear is organized and food is properly stored. However if you take a few friends along, you now have the chance to build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Working as a unit and thinking with a "group first" mentality is the only way to succeed at backcountry living. If you take care of the team, the team will take care of you. Easy as that.

A remote mountain in Washington

Stay safe and enjoy.