Grizzlies, Fleece & Ibuprofen, Oh My

When I moved to Montana in my 50s I began to revisit those days. After all, I live in Big Sky, Montana, an outdoorsman’s paradise. The joy and freedom of setting off from a trailhead with all you need in the world on your back began to beckon to me. But the last time I had backpacked I had a few less miles on my body and a willing boyfriend to carry the heavy stuff.  Could a 57-year-old woman who really doesn’t like to get dirty and who is not as fit as she should be, once again hit the trails? In order to find out, I signed up for one of the Institute’s most difficult hikes, with “strenuous hiking over 13 miles per day and altitude gains of 2,000 feet per day,” as the course description notes/ Betsey Weltner , New West. More here .

Question: Do you enjoy backpacking?