Backcountry Camping

As we were planning our family vacation to the Rocky Mountains during the spring of 2003, Yumi had no idea what was coming next. The trip to Yellowstone rekindled old feelings for the mountains I hadn't had since I was in college in the mid-80's.

We were innocently hiking to Mystic Falls along the Firehole River in Yellowstone when I thought "this would be a great place to camp" That was all it took. Luckily for me, Yumi shared my sense of adventure and agreed to give backcounty camping a shot. Since that time I've made at least two trips out to the Rockies each summer to backpack.

Upcoming Trips

Dorf and the two guys he'd never met before their epic Wind River trip in 2007 along with the "Canadian Dude" will head to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area in July of 2008. [Trip planning]. With any kind of luck we will be joined by former Packer great, Brett Favre.

Latest Trips

Yumi and I will went back to a smoky Glacier National Park in August, 2007. Trip Report and Trip Photos

Dorf and two guys he'd never met before explore the rugged northern Wind River Range over 6 nights in July, 2007. Trip Report and photos

Yumi and I spent 8 nights in the Wind River Range in July of 2006. Trip Report

Thoughts

Yumi near Dawson Pass, Glacier N.P.

Backcountry Wish List

So many mountains, so little vacation time. My backcountry "wish list"

Gear

Who doesn't like gear? I like gear. Here's our gear.

Gear Test: WM Aspen in my frigid back yard

Check out where you're going with satellite imagery or Google Earth

Outdoor Gear Retailers

REI
Backcountry Store
Sierra Trading Post
Campmor
Altrec
Mountain House
MSR
Outdoor Research
The North Face
Henry Shires Tarptents
Granite Gear
Western Mountaineering
Moosejaw
Gregory Packs

August, 2007 Glacier National Park
Yumi and I return to Glacier National Park together for the first time together since 2004 for some dayhiking and a 3-night backpack.

Yumi checking out Island Lake in the Bridger Wilderness, Wind River Range,

July, 2007 Wind River Range
I spent an incredible 6 nights in the heart of the northern Wind River range with two new buddies from Madison. Amazing.

August, 2006 Absaoke-Beartooth Wilderness
While Yumi went to Japan I took off for Montana and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness for a solo trek.

July, 2006 Wind River Range
Yumi and I spent 8 nights in Wyoming's Bridger/Popo Agie Wilderness.

August-September, 2005 Glacier National Park
Dorf gets his Glacier fix when he joins up with two complete strangers for a 10-night stay.

July, 2005 Cloud Peak Wilderness Solo
Since our Glacier trip was aborted, I decided to drive over to Wyoming to get my mountain fix.

July, 2005, Glacier National Park Summer Tour I
Cancelled 6 hours into the trip due to a family emergency. Rats.

September, 2004 Porcupine Mountain State Park
Gotta get out one more time before settling into the fall routine of school and soccer.

July, 2004 Porcupine Mountain State Park
Can't get enough hiking. Yumi and I take the kids to the UP for some more backpacking and dayhiking.

July, 2004 Glacier National Park
Our two-week camping and backpacking trip to Montana. Wow!

June, 2004 Newport State Park
Eldest son Todd and I prove that last years' Newport debacle was not a fluke.

October, 2003 Newport State Park
Yumi and I need to test some more gear and almost don't survive.

September, 2003 Rock Island State Park
Yumi and I decide to do a little primative camping in order to test some gear. Yes, we survived.