Reflections: 2016 a big year for first time backpackers
by Gabriel Howe, Executive Director
for the Siskiyou Hiker
19 DECEMBER 2016 | OAK FLAT, JOSEPHINE COUNTY — Our region’s landscapes are what invigorate me. They set the stage of adventures that push my limits into unknown terrain, building those memories I cherish most.
The people are what inspire me, and I have a lot to reflect on this year, including many first time backpackers.
Here comes Lucy
I can’t count them all, but one first time backpacker stands out: Lucy Sanchez.
On March 16 I received this email:
Hello, my name is Lucy…I just arrived yesterday here in Ashland from Mexico…I really want to take advantage of my stay here before classes start. I’ve never been hiking and it’s my first time here in Ashland but I am really interested in going on the trip this weekend. What all would I need to have or bring for the trip? If you could provide me with detailed information to see if I can attend I would really appreciate it. Thank you 🙂
I told Lucy we’d love to have her and sent her a gear list. She responded requesting to borrow the gear she needs, and I picked her up before light broke on March 19.
Lucy seems excited and eager, though not nervous, as we picked up more hikers up and head to the Illinois River Trailhead, which must seem many worlds away from home for her.
The work and the six mile hike went well. By the end of the day, Lucy was absolutely exhausted but seemed comfortable at dusk when she stumble to the camp in step with volunteers Angie and Mary, after fording a frigid thigh-high Pine Flat Creek.
A warm, joyful light
Pine Flat is this big, dreamy meadow with old fruit orchards that flow into rolling grass benches adjacent the steady roar of the Wild & Scenic Illinois River. It’s the first place in the Kalmiopsis I ever visited, sparking a life journey that has so far lasted 10 years and counting.
Around the campfire that evening, a moment rose up from the flames and came over me. On the left was a forester who plans timber sales. To my right was an environmentalist who has routinely sued that timber planner’s organization.
Then straight across is Lucy from Mexico, warming herself around a hot fire, the flicker of it casting a warm, joyful light on her. And all behind us is the most remote, expansive and wild landscape on the West Coast rising from a world class river.
America in 2016
This is the America I had the amazing privilege of showing Lucy. I was serving as an ambassador of sorts, and I felt proud with the American experience we exposed her to warm hearted, hard working people with diverse stories, all together inching towards something common.
I’m not sure what Lucy thinks of when she thinks of America now. But I hope she thinks of untrammeled landscapes and wild frontier. I hope she thinks about beautiful people from many places being challenged by compelling terrain, helping and pushing each other along the way.
I’m lucky. This experience, with Lucy and company, and experiences like it, this is how I’ll remember 2016.
I’ll remember taking all these folks outside in this remarkably wild slice of America. That was my 2016. And for that I am very, very fortunate.
To conclude, I can tell you that no matter what you believe, where you come from or who you vote for, you are welcome on our hikes and at our events. I can also tell you that there is tremendous hope for our mission in 2017.
Happy Holidays and Happy Trails to everyone. ###
Gabriel Howe is the Executive Director of Siskiyou Mountain Club. You won’t find him tweeting before dawn, but you could find him writing or swimming laps then.
