What to Know Before You GO! on a Volunteer Adventure
by BMWF Program Staff
So you’ve registered for a trip… Congratulations on pushing yourself to try something new this summer! Before hitting the trail here are the 10 best ways to prepare yourself before heading into the Bob with BMWF.
Get comfortable with your gear. This means testing out your backpack with weight prior to your trip, you can do a trial run on a local trail close to home. Wear-in brand new boots/shoes before longer hiking trips, your feet will thank you! Test out new gizmos and gadgets that may be traveling into the backcountry for the first time (don’t forget an extra battery or two). If you need to borrow a tent, sleeping bag, backpack, or sleeping pad let us know at least 3 weeks prior to your trip and we’ll make sure to check it out of our gear library for you.
Warm up your body for a BMWF trip with some goblet squats, step-ups, hanging knee raises, downhill lunges, and plenty of stretching. With these exercises you target the muscles predominantly used while hiking, so it’s a good set to have in your toolkit to limber up.
Help us protect the native flora and fauna by keeping invasive species out of the Bob. Make sure you clean your gear prior to leaving the trailhead, and don’t use felt soled wading boots (they carry parasites and other pesky hitchhikers). How should you clean your gear before a trip into the backcountry? Make sure to brush or hose off your shoes and boots, and any other dirty gear.
Get in tune with your body. We may not be able to have a campfire every night or at all while camping. If you run cold bring the right layers to keep your body warm without a fire. If you run hot make sure to regulate your body temperature, taking plenty of breaks in the shade, wearing light colored clothing, and staying EXTRA hydrated.
Plan to maintain a well balanced diet. If you’re hiking and working your body will be using plenty of energy and will need some fuel in the form of carbs, sugars, veggies, electrolytes, vitamins, and protein. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself hungrier than usual. Decide how you’ll plan to pack your provided lunch everyday, are you a Baggie Baddie, a Tupperware Trailblazer, or a Bento Box Boss?
Practice your wilderness squat. It’s a rare opportunity to find an outhouse in the wilderness, so make sure you get familiar with backcountry bathroom etiquette. If you menstruate, you might also want to research and test out some low-waste alternatives prior to being in the backcountry. We carry a handful of emergency supplies, but it’s always best to bring your own. If you know it’s something you can’t go a day without (ibuprophane, antihistamines, tampons, blister care, etc,..) bring it.
Review the participant list – who knows maybe some new friends or neighbors can carpool with you to the trailhead or better yet, get in shape with you before your trip begins!
Bring an open mind and a good attitude! We’re all here to do some great work to help keep our public lands accessible and maintain their wilderness character. Prior to going into the backcountry take the opportunity to check in with yourself on what you need to decompress (reading in a quiet space, taking a walk, listening to music, meditating, or fishing) after a long day.
Get familiar with our website and trail conditions map. You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook, we’ll post more educational and relevant information about our upcoming trips. Conditions change pretty quickly in the Bob and although you can’t always predict what kind of wilderness experience you’ll have the more information you can collect the better prepared you’ll be.
Reach out! If you have any questions or if you’re unsure about anything concerning your trip into the Bob - we’re here for you!
Sample menu for trips
BREAKFAST:
Every morning the crew leader has coffee and hot water on the stove by 6:30 AM. Breakfast is continental style with choose your own adventure. Staple items are oatmeal, bagels, jam and peanut butter, dried milk and various cereal and maybe even yogurt.
LUNCH:
Similar to breakfast, this is a choose your own adventure meal. The crew leader will set out all lunch fixings in the morning. After breakfast you will make a ‘to-go’ lunch for your day on the trail. Tortillas, bread, salami, cheese, lettuce, onion, mayo and mustard, Peanut butter and jelly are all standard. Some salty snacks like pretzels, cheese its and a little sweet like twizzlers, M&M’s. Don't forget the healthy stuff! Apples and carrots and a selection of granola bars.
DINNER:
Dinner is where your individual crew leader shines. Each leader designs and shops for their own menu. Popular dinners are tried and tested in the backcountry and usually become regulars on the menu. Early in the trip you will have more fresh foods and later in the trip it could be a little less fresh. Typical dinners are: Coconut curry with rice and vegetables (chicken on the side), Pesto Pasta with sun dried tomatoes and fresh parmesan with a side salad (kalbasa on the side), Burritos with shredded chicken or beans and a side of spanish rice, Dolled up backpacker meal, A Right on Trek chili with Fritos, sour cream, shredded cheese and green onion.
EXTRAS:
Crews always pack powdered gatorade or lemonade, spices and oil, some simple appetizers like crackers and cheese, chips and salsa and of course some desserts like fancy chocolates or carmels. We strive to offer well balanced, nutritious meals without a lot of preservatives. Just because you are deep in the backcountry doesn't mean you need to eat pre packaged food for every meal! We have mules, horses and their packers to thank for that.