A slight hiccup
As mentioned, I spent the last couple of weeks on the west slope of the Teton Range, backcountry skiing and camping. I had an amazing time but…it turns out that my theory of having everything I need, or being able to make do, doesn’t account for any future backcountry expeditions. I kind of hate to break my rules so soon into this project, but the fact is: I love being in the backcountry and I want to do everything in my power to get back out there, as soon as possible.
So I bought a few things already (that I’ve put on my spreadsheet that I created to track everything bought in 2012) to keep my backcountry dream alive. I didn’t buy a -30°F rated sleeping bag, or an avalanche probe or shovel or transceiver, or a stove (yet!) but if I get the chance to go back out into the woods for a few days, I’m reserving the right to buy some things to do so.
On one hand I’m kind of bummed I’ve “failed” already. On the other it’s hard to give up the ability to do something I love simply because I didn’t already own the stuff to do it. I consider this my “NOLS Backcountry Exception Rule”. I’m pretty sure I won’t have to come up with any more exceptions. I guess we’ll see.
