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Backcountry Adventure | Guided Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Expertise | Access | Connection
The three core pillars of the any Backcountry Adventure Experience are Expertise, Access & Connection.
Whenever you travel, you want to have the most amazing experience and make the most memories possible. The best way to do that is to expand your horizons, learn new skills, meet incredible people and discover cultures in the kinds of places you’ve only dreamed about…
That’s why I’ve partnered with AirBnB to offer these expertly planned epic adventures that give you unrivaled access to our natural world. And my customized Skill-Share Modules will foster an intimate personal connection with nature and the loved ones you share your new-found knowledge with.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is your guiding/hosting experience?
CERTIFIED TOUR GUIDE
I have been leading friends, family and professional colleagues my whole life.
From Cross Country & Track Team Captain to Summer Camp Counselor, Private Golf Caddy, Broadcast TV Field Producer and a million private travel trips all over the world. So it’s safe to say that planning and executing adventures and experiences is second nature to me.
But the one official job that “certifies” me to guide professionally is Backroads. Known internationally as the world’s preeminent “Active Adventure Travel” company, Backroads only hires 1% of its applicants because they require not only practical expertise, First Aid Certifications, fluent foreign language skills, mechanical proficiencies and even intimate local knowledge based on extensive research and training programs, but they also require you to be highly entertaining and socially adept. In other words, a very well-rounded human!
Here’s a link to their “Experience” video so you can see for yourself…
Backroads invited me to join their annual Training Seminar Program at their headquarters in San Francisco where I underwent a series of “elimination rounds” over the course of a week-long intensive.
Sort of like Navy SEAL BUDS training, the attrition rate was very high. We started the week with a group of about 200 applicants - all of whom had already been vetted and selected from a worldwide pool. Some flew a very long way just for a shot at getting hired…
Each day, we did group and individual exercises to determine our strengths and weaknesses, inter-personal abilities and mechanical skillsets. Everything from handling a challenging customer-service situation involving a car crash and injuries while leading a group of twenty to fixing the alignment of gears and disc brake calipers or driving a manual transmission cargo van - on the opposite side of the road in France, on the wrong side of the car while towing a trailer hauling hundreds of thousands of dollars of gear!
Needless to say, I was thrilled to finally get hired by them!
So why am I no longer working there? In full transparency, my primary focus is always to create world-class content. Backroads wanted to work with me as a professional guide - not a content creator. And since the work with them was primarily seasonal, it was not a good long-term fit.
Bottom Line: If Backroads trusts me to lead trips through foreign countries with Fortune 500 executives and their families, you can count on me to take you for a ride in a Jeep or out on a nature picnic ;)
National Outdoor Leadership School
Wilderness First-Aid Trained
In addition, I am also Wilderness First Aid trained and certified with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). In college, I attended their well-known Outward Bound Program in Colorado.
NOLS trains NPS, SWAT and Special Operations Community SAR units and civilians in what is called “Wilderness Medicine.” The reality is nothing replaces plain old common sense when you are far away from civilization and “help” is not just around the corner – or a trip to the closest hospital might mean traversing an entire mountain range with a broken leg or using a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) to summon a helicopter in the event of a life-threatening accident.
While I am not qualified to teach you what I know about Wilderness Medicine, I am skilled enough to handle (almost) anything we might encounter.
DISCLAIMER
I am not a medical professional. When you sign up for my backcountry adventures and guided experiences, you do so at your own risk. I have you sign a statement/release that stipulates you have read this FAQ and understand you are ultimately responsible for your own health and safety. That being said, if anything happens while we’re out and about, I will do my best to help you in every way I can.
What is your “leadership style?” / How do you guide?
Simple: I let you set the pace.
I’m the kind of guy who will charge up the side of a Class V route at 2AM in the morning with sub-zero temperatures while carrying a 65lbs backpack on crampons. Yes. I should have been in ARMY Special Forces. Sadly I was not. But that doesn’t mean I will lead your adventure like you’re qualifying for RASP! (Ranger Assessment & Selection Program).
Whether we’re going on a simple hike - on or off-trail; a Jeep tour over rough or easy-going terrain; or we’re setting up a sunset swing on a tree for you to enjoy - I will tell you exactly where the best tree is if you want to crush your swing experience. If you’d prefer a better view, I can tell you where to get it. But if you want to put the swing in the tree of your choice, you can lead the way!
Can I go off on my own?
This question gets complicated quickly, but the answer is yes AND no.
If we’re doing a private guided tour - one for which I am not sub-contracted by or affiliated with a ranch or company for example - then yes, within reason, I’ll cut you loose to go off and explore on your own.
That’s exactly why I have a Personal Safety & Indemnity Waiver that I ask you to sign before we start any adventure. You must sign off on all risks, potential injuries and attest to the fact that you have and active health, medical or life insurance that will protect you in the event of an accident.
So if I determine you are capable of going off on your own, you present me with a plan that makes sense and a time-frame when you intend to be back at a specific location, then we’re all grown adults - we can make our own decisions.
If you have kiddos with you, you’re the parent or guardian - you decide.
if we’re adventuring together with a ranch or other entity, I will abide by their safety protocols because my reputation - and job - depends on your safety.
That being said, I am First Aid / CPR Certified and Trained. Barring any catastrophic incidents, we’re all going to get home alive with at least most of our fingers and toes still attached.
I also carry a Garmin In-Reach and a SAR-PLB (Search & Rescue Personal Locator Beacon) to notify authorities of any danger we are in or - worst-case-scenario - I can press a button and you get a helicopter ride.
What is your 4x4 experience?
Believe it or not, I started off-roading in a 3-Series BMW.
About twelve years ago, a 4x4 racing buddy of mine invited me to King of the Hammers, ULTRA 4’s legendary desert rally through Johnson Valley OHV Area in Apple Valley, California. Not really knowing what to expect, I showed up in my daily-driver. Frankly, I’m surprised they even let me into the pits! But three days later, I sold the beemer, bought a Jeep RUBICON and never looked back. . .
Since then, our quirky, little-known pastime has expanded into a veritable off-road revolution. Now it seems like every guy on the block has a lifted truck, a brand new pop-up tent and a 10K winch bolted to his bumper.
So what does this mean for the 4x4 overlanding community? Well, there’s a ton of really cool new gear to play with, but it also means excessively over-crowded public BLM lands, State Forests and National Parks.
That’s what inspired me to launch North American Overlanding Association - a paradigm-shifting 501c3 NPO focused on providing unparalleled access while raising resources to preserve our backcountry.
Partnering with AirBnB to provide really unique overlanding adventures full of Leave-No-Trace learning opportunities and Outdoor Skills-Sharing Modules, is just an outgrowth of NAOA. Brand collaborations like this make it possible for me to stay focused on solving the 4x4 industry’s most rugged challenge:
LAND CONSERVATION
What does “Leave No Trace” mean?
LeaveNoTrace.org is a globally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to 7 core outdoor ethics. I not only live by, but abide by all of them to ensure every adventure is an experience we can enjoy together and share with others.
On your trip, we will work together to learn how to responsibly:
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
What is 4x4 overlanding?
Overlanding is a style of exploration derived from the earliest days of the Jeep Willy’s prototypes for the U.S. Military during World War II. Prior to that, vehicles were not designed to go offroad in any tangible capacity, but when Willy’s released a consumer model of the GP or General Purpose vehicle after WWII ended, the public caught the 4x4 lifestyle bug.
So really, “Overlanding” is how you define it. personally, I come from a background doing a lot of mountaineering, backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling and really remote backcountry fly fishing, mountain biking, kayaking. As you can imagine, carrying all that gear on my back or strapped to my car got really hard to do! Therefore, becoming a “Jeeper” was basically the best thing that I’ve ever done because now, my life revolves around planning for and going on the next Jeep adventure.
You might say: “Wow - that’s kinda crazy!” And it is, but it’s also really rewarding because once I fully embraced to the overlanding lifestyle, my horizons became endless. I could design my own trips, share them with friends and family and now, through my partnership with AirBnB, I can share those adventures with you too!
What is the difference between each adventure experience?
Every AirBnB Experience I host starts with 4x4 Overlanding as the foundation of the trip. That’s because I create my trips from scratch - meaning I do not look in guide books or read blogs or watch YouTube videos. I literally look at topographical maps to figure out where I want to go and how I want to get there. So every single trip is a one of a kind unique experience.
The primary difference between one trip an another is the “Experience” or primary activity. For example, if you opt for a basic “4x4 Overlanding Experience” then what we do on the trip is open-ended. You decide how you want to spend your time. You can take a hike or a nap in a hammock beside an alpine lake. Choose your own adventure.
Other experiences center on what I call my “Skill-Share Modules” that are all about sharing knowledge and skills around a specific activity.
Examples include “Wilderness Photography” which focuses (pun intended) on how to capture gorgeous landscapes and people doing activities within those landscapes. “Backcountry Fly Fishing” is all about how to choose cool fishing spots where nobody else goes; reading and plotting routes on topo maps, spotting & stalking fish; helping your fishing buddy spot & stalk fish; fly fishing techniques and backcountry cooking techniques when you catch trout. My “Backcountry Mountain Biking” is all about finding trails that take you along really fun fire roads with breath-taking views or deep into the wilderness to spots with zero crowds. I also teach you how to change your tires on the go; fixing chain breaks; riding techniques to make your afternoon safer and more fun.
Overall, each Adventure Experience can take whatever shape you decide. You can rent gear like kayaks, cameras, fly fishing kit and mountain bikes from me if you don’t already have it. The possibilities are endless.
What kind of vehicle / tires do I need?
Depending on the trip, most mid-sized SUVs with AWD capability will have a high enough clearance to handle the trails to get to where we’re going. Pickup trucks and Jeeps are preferable and anything with a 4x4 drive-train is the most ideal. If you’re keen on coming on one of my overlanding adventures, but you have a regular sedan, I highly recommend you rent a pickup truck or SUV for your trip.
When you book your trip, I will ask you to identity what kind of make and model vehicle you intend to bring. In general, automatic transmissions are better for backcountry because they are easier to handle, but if you’re proficient with a stick shift, have at it!
Tires are also a very important consideration. We’re going to be putting a lot of stress on your tires so please make sure they are not damaged prior to your trip. This includes tires that are “bald” or worn down from over-use. Those will not hold up to the rigors of the trail. If you show up with tires on your vehicle that are unsuitable for the trail, I will be forced to cancel the journey on-site.
The best tires for this kind of overlanding adventure are either All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain tires. Adding chains to street tires is not a good solution so please don’t rely on that!
Vehicle Damage: To a certain degree, your vehicle may sustain some “wear and tear.” That means your rims might get scratched or dinged. Your side panels and doors could get scratched by branches and shrubbery along the road. And you can count on getting lots of mud and dust all over your rig!
Please be sure to have proper insurance coverage on your rental vehicle or your personal policy that will repair any damages you might incur. I will do my best to ensure we don’t rive on any part of the trail that I don’t think you can navigate. But please understand, that I am not responsible for any damages that occur to your vehicle while on the trail.
Should I rent a an SUV or Jeep for this adventure?
Yes. And if you do decide to rent a vehicle, I highly recommend getting one that is 4x4 or at the very least AWD (All-Wheel-Drive). 2WD vehicle are much harder to handle off-road.
CAUTION
Only rent a vehicle for your adventure if you are okay taking the inherent risks with driving off-road.
(And have the proper insurance to cover damages.)
Many vehicle rental services might limit the amount of “off-road” driving you are allowed to do. However, these are more like “guidelines” because they are referring to heavy off-road driving that will likely damage a vehicle versus the sort of roads I will take you on that are mostly what the National Forest Service calls “fire roads.”
Fire Roads are basically old logging roads or what are called “Fire Walls” or “Fire Breaks” cut through the forests. They are designed to provide access to fire and rescue crews, but also to literally stop forest fires in their tracks. So these roads are maintained by volunteer groups and Forest Service Rangers who regularly patrol them looking for fallen trees, wash-outs and any sort of debris like rock-falls that might be blocking the roadway.
That doesn’t mean we won’t encounter some rough spots. We might even get stopped by a fallen tree - especially if it’s early in the season after a heavy winter. It takes time for all the roads to be cleared during the spring and early summers so I come prepared to handle those kinds of obstructions.
Bottom line, I have had many friends and guests rent AWD SUVs or 4x4 trucks for my adventures and they are so happy they did. We take extra precaution to make sure we’re not taking unnecessary risks or running especially aggressive “lines” on off-road tracks and knock-on-wood, to date, I have never experienced a break-down or excessive damage to a rental vehicle.
All you’ll want to do before you return it is shake out the floor mats then hose it down at a drive-through car-wash so you get rid of all the extra dust and you’ll be good to go. Most rental agencies will never even ask about where you took it!
Are all adventures family & kid-friendly?
Yes! Every Adventure Experience I lead is custom-tailored to your personal objectives and circumstances. So if you have kids and pets, they are welcome.
I just ask that if your kids or pets have special requirements, that you take care to plan ahead so I don’t have to. I am happy to help accommodate, but I have a lot of other things to think about when putting a trip together for you so I ask that you figure out what’s best for your family on your end.
That said, if you have ideas for activities or other experiences you’d like to tack on, by all means, suggest away! I will look into options and do my best to set up what you ask for.
What gear / clothing do I need to bring?
Every trip requires a special set of gear and clothing. When you book your trip, I will provide you with a comprehensive gear list of everything you’ll need to bring. And it’s important that if you don’t have something, you need to tell me ahead of time so I can either provide it to you or you have the opportunity to purchase it prior to departure.
GEAR RENTALS: I have allllllll the gear! I am a real Gear-Head and I’ve literally been “collecting” outdoor equipment for years for all my friends to use on the various adventures we go on. I decided I never wanted to hear the excuse: “I can’t go because I don’t have “X.”’
So no matter what, you will be fully kitted before we head out. There is such a thing as packing too much (which I’m totally guilty of!) but you can never really have “enough” stuff in the backcountry. because once you’re out there, you can’t just open the closet or fridge and pull something out!
How much 4x4 off-road driving experience do I need?
No. Experience. Necessary. But a sense of adventure is definitely a must!
I’m going to lead you into some of the most amazing backcountry the American West has to offer so you'll need to come ready to get your hands dirty and a little extra mud on your boots!
Rest assured, I will help re-direct you to a more suitable adventure if you don’t feel like you’re up for the challenge of the one you pick. But once we hit the trail, I take a very hands-on approach:
I always drive in the lead position so you can follow everything I do.
I provide UHF radios to every driver so we can communicate about what’s coming up.
If there is a really tough section of road, I will drive through it, stop then get out to come back and direct you where to place your tires and how to navigate any obstacle.
If you decide the move is too advanced, we’ll either find an alternate way around or I can drive your vehicle through.*
What if I get a flat tire?
Flats happen. That’s why I always carry a full-size spare tire on every overlanding adventure because even if you’re careful, it is easy to make a mistake or slip off a rock and cause a tire puncture.
Most flat tires occur because of what we Jeepers call a “snake bite.” No - that does not mean a rattlesnake bit your tire - although, that would be kind of cool to watch! Snake bites are basically “pinches” that cause micro-fissures in the tread lining of your tire. To mitigate the risk of these kinds of flats or the worse kind - side-wall tears and blow-outs - I will have every vehicle air-down to about 20PSI (Pounds-Per-Inch) before we hit the trail.
If you’re not already familiar with “airing-down” it’s a universally practiced habit by all off-roaders. Typically, your tires are inflated to about 35-40PSI of pressure for general street-use. When you air-down, you release some of the air pressure in your tires so they have more traction on loose gravel or rock surfaces. This also allows them to flex more and decreases the likelihood that you’ll damage your tires on sharp surfaces.
Most tires are capable of being aired-down without what are called “Bead-Lock” tire rims. You’ll see I have bead-lock rims on my Jeep because I generally carry much heavier loads on my Jeep and sometimes, I even tow a backcountry trailer. So I need all the traction I can get - without shearing the tires straight off my rims! You don’t need to worry about that because I won’t take you in places where that will happen.
In the event that anyone gets a flat tire (myself included!) we’ll stop and assess the damage. A general puncture can be plugged with tire plugs without having to change the tire. If the tear is too large or if you actually rip the side-wall of the tire, it will need to be fully changed. At that point, I will remove my Hi_lift Jack from my Jeep and help you change the spare. I’m happy to instruct you so you can learn how, or worst-case scenario, I can do it for you.
If the road conditions get too challenging or too rough because of a rock-fall or wash-out, I will divert us to a back-up plan on a route that is much safer for everyone.
Is camping part of every trip?
Nope - but it’s optional on most trips - especially the 4x4 Overlanding ones.
Airbnb doesn’t allow “Overnight Experiences” - they only want you to pay to stay at one of their properties. So I provide the option to stay in the great outdoors as a part of any Adventure or Experience you want - within reason. Some places we aren’t allowed to stay.
Inquire ahead of time and even if we have to move locations, I know of every great campsite within 500 miles! And if I don’t, I’m really good at finding the best spots that aren’t crowded or will literally have nobody else around so you can enjoy Nature the way it was meant to be - perfect and pristine.
What if I’ve never been camping before?
The best part about camping for the first time is you will be hooked for life!
Forget about all those crazy stories about how cold or wet someone was - that’s a bummer, but I’ve been cold and wet so many times that I forgot all about being uncomfortable in the moment and just remember all the most amazing moments when I was just so happy to be in a beautiful place.
Nature is truly a magical space. And when you choose to embrace its fickle ways, you will be more in tune with the rhythms and flows. This is not just a some esoteric perspective - this is the only way to allow Nature to shape the experience you will have. And trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised.
So if this is your first time camping, just let me know and I’ll make sure you have an amazing experience so you’ll want to go again and again.
What if there is bad weather?
Bad weather happens too. it’s the backcountry so we embrace the elements because they make things more fun!
But in general, I always check the NOAA weather forecasts ahead of our trip and if I see there are likely to be conditions that make it dangerous or a route impassable, I will contact you and offer an alternative so you don’t have to cancel.
I have learned over the years to allow weather to shape the trip rather than ruin or cancel it. I see rain as “liquid sunshine” and wind as the only “four-letter word” I don’t use in the backcountry!
A good rule of thumb is to prepare for every possibility so when the weather does change - and it most certainly will - you are ready for it. That means carrying extra supplies and clothing to be as comfortable as possible.
Do I need to bring extra fuel?
It’s never a bad idea to bring extra fuel. I always have at least an extra 10-15 gallons of fuel on my Jeep. It’s a lot of extra weight to carry, but there are a few reasons why it’s always important to have extra fuel on trips:
First of all, it’s more fun! The more fuel you bring, the more you can explore. It’s a real bummer if you can’t go see what’s at the end of a cool looking road because you’re not sure you’ll have enough gas to get back to town!
Road & Weather Conditions Vary: If there’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way is that just because you plan a route in and out doesn’t mean that’s the road you’re going to take! So you have to have enough fuel to go the long way home or double-back the way you came just in case you can’t get beyond a certain point. There are locked gates, rock-falls, wash-outs and maybe even wild Indians and mammoth-sized saber-toothed cats out there!
It’s just good practice. If everybody carries extra fuel, nobody ever runs out - even if some people want to explore more than others. You can always pay your buddy back if you use some of his extra gas, but you can’t just run to the store if you need it in a pinch.
I have extra 5-gallon fuel canisters and ratchet straps for every vehicle on a trip. If you have one and can bring it, great, we’ll have extras.
Do I need to bring extra water?
Yes. I generally carry 5 gallons of potable water in the backcountry with me at all times. That may seem, like a lot, but if you find yourself away from a water source or stuck somewhere where you can’t get to water easily, you’ll already have it with you.
Water Containers: This is worth mentioning because how you carry your water does matter. I personally use 5G military surplus water containers because they are super durable and never leak. If you choose to carry your water in something different, I highly recommend buying the sturdy 2.5G jugs of water with the built-in spigots on the bottom. They are really easy to set on a hood or a table and act like a faucet to pour into cups, bowls or to clean dishes. In a pinch, you can even use them as a shower :)
SOLAR SHOWER: I have a couple solar showers for rent if you are feeling a little iky about going a few days without rinsing off. Some people prefer a polar plunge into a lake or river - which I highly recommend! But if ice-cold water is not your thing, the showers get hung in a tree or placed on top of your vehicle and the sun literally heats the water to over 100F so it’s nice and warm when you’re ready for a rinse.
No matter what, I always have water filters with me so I can literally make water we find in puddles along the road potable for drinking. But don’t worry, it won’t get to that point!
What food should I bring?
I will provide food for the trip and am happy to take your suggestions. I build the costs right into your booking fee so there is no “hidden” cost on the back-end. I do this because this is your vacation - why should you have to go grocery shopping?!
In general, I am a red-meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. I drink my coffee fresh-roasted and my beers ice-cold. If you feel the same way, we’re gonna get along great! That said, if you have special dietary needs, please make sure to bring what you need to stay happy and well-nourished for the adventures ahead.
I bring all the necessary cooking tools and stoves to cover our bases. I like to make oatmeal with fruit and raisins in the morning, but I can do pancakes and eggs if you prefer. Lunches are simple because we’ll probably be on the run, but you can expect stuff like tuna salads, dry salami, pita bread and humus, potato chips, with V8 and sparkling lemonade. And if you’re a real mountain man like me - sardines! Dinners range from wild-caught trout smoked over an open fire to char-broiled roast beef, pork tenderloin or bratwurst with beans, chili, fresh-roasted onions and peppers. If we’re running late, I whip out soups and add the meat straight into those then heat everything in a big pot right on the fire - just like the old-timers did!
Should I worry about lions and tigers and bears - oh my!?
Nope. I don’t worry so neither should you. The reality is, we’ve villainized these amazing creatures through social media and movies, but they are far more rare than you think. And just seeing them is a real privilege.
Case in point: I did some solo backpacking deep in the heart of Denali’s backcountry units looking for bears and wolves. I was out there for almost ten days and saw plenty of fresh tracks, but never saw a single one! That doesn’t mean they are not there - or that they didn’t see me first. . .
They definitely are out there, but the reality is, they are not interested in seeing me - or you. And when they do, they scoot off to do their bear and wolf things without you. And that’s exactly the way it should be.
As a practitioner of Leave-No-Trace ethics, I make sure to pack up the supplies at night and hang bear-bags so hungry critters don’t get a free snack. This is good for them and good for us because the less they think of humans as a “food source” the better. And I’m not talking about the bear wanting to eat you, silly! If he thinks he’s going to get a free snack every time somebody shows up at a campsite, that forms bad habits. Plus it makes it more likely there will be some kind of “encounter” with someone that will require Forest Rangers to respond unfavorably.
I take precautions that include a variety of wilderness awareness procedures that we will all practice like keeping a safe distance from any animals we do see. Maintaining an audible “barrier” that lets them know we’re coming so we don’t startle anything that might be hanging out around the corner. I have high-decible alarms and perimeter fences I use when in heavy activity bear areas. And I do carry bear mace just in case.
When we get out there, I’ll teach you how to respond if a large, curious animal enters camp. Just understand, that is an extremely unlikely scenario. So let’s plan to enjoy the wild with respect and treat the animals we might see with the awe they deserve. After all, they were here a long time before us.
And if you’re still scared at bedtime, I’ll leave the night-light on ;)
Here I am fly fishing solo in Alaska. You don’t need a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs to catch trout. But in the backcountry, I never take unnecessary risks - nor do I allow the inherent dangers to catch me off-guard. . .
Can I bring my pet(s)?
Your Pooch Pal(s) are welcome!
Please make sure you think ahead about what your dog(s) will need – and if they are really up for the adventure activities. Generally, small “house dogs” are not a good idea unless they travel well in a pet-friendly backpack.
If you don’t have a four-legged friend to bring, but you’d really like to have a trail buddy, I can arrange to have one or two join us!
I have a network of local dog walkers and pet-owners that have already agreed to “share” their pets with us in exchange for “Pet Sitting Services.”
So since these dudes are an extra responsibility, I ask that you simply pay a nominal “Rent-A-Pet" Fee that can be included at Experience check-out. Because ostensibly, you’re asking me to also be a “Pet Sitter” in addition guiding you on a cool adventure experience.
I love to do it, but that also requires me to go through the process of picking the dog(s) up before our trip, carry supplies/food for them and then bring them back when we’re done. No big deal – you get to have all the fun!
What if there is a medical emergency?
Accidents happen. Emergencies are rare, but they do occur. Because of that, I am CPR / First-Aid trained. I also have a Garmin In-Reach and an Emergency PLB Beacon that will literally call in a Search-And-Rescue helicopter if anything goes seriously wrong.
I also carry a full First-Aid kit so common cuts and scrapes can be cleaned and dressed within minutes.
If you have any personal medical needs or procedures you need to follow, please let me know ahead of time so I can be aware and help you any way I can. Please also understand that I am not a medical professional and you can’t rely on me to provide you with medical care beyond basic first-aid. You are responsible for your own safety out there so if you feel your trip might be too strenuous, please don’t put me or others on the spot to care for you.
PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT: The best way to avoid medical emergencies is to not have them. Come prepared and be prepared. Plan ahead. Don’t run with scissors. All the stuff your mom told you. She was right!
Is it hard to eBike?
They say you never forget how to ride a bike… Well, eBiking is just like regular biking - only without all the extra effort!
e-Bikes or “Electronic Bikes” have a fully battery-operated rear motor drive-train that is controlled by a throttle grip on the handle-bar. When you are going up a steep hill, all you have to do is pull back on the throttle to give yourself an extra boost.
What is “backcountry etiquette?”
Have you ever given your neighbor some sugar just because they asked for it? Backcountry etiquette is exactly the same thing: You help anyone who needs help. No questions asked. Nothing taken in return.
When you’re in the backcountry, there is an unstated rule: Everybody is in it together.
That means if you find someone broken down or needing water or extra fuel or anything that will help they get back to safety, you stop what you’re doing and you give them what they need.
I’ll give you a real-life example that is 100% true. (And when we’re sitting around the camp fire, I’ll tell you one that’s even better about the time I ran the Rubicon Trail in Northern California…)
I was rappelling The Subway which is a famous slot canyon in Zion National Park. It’s a really rugged route that starts deep in the backcountry. It takes multiple days to complete depending on where you start and it’s imperative you bring everything you need to successfully navigate it. This includes a full backpack filled with everything from a wetsuit, special approach shoes, extra ropes, anchor webbing, carabiners, belay devices, helmets plus all your regular camping gear. In other words - tons of stuff!
A group of experienced friends and I completed most of the route when we came upon an inexperienced tourist who had somehow found his way deep into the canyon all by himself and he was wearing nothing but his t-shirt and jeans. You can just imagine what he thought when he saw us come around the corner fully decked out in all our gear. Well, actually, he wasn’t really thinking much because he was hypothermic.
To be bluntly honest, I was not really sympathetic at all. This is exactly the kind of scenario that forces Search & Rescue Units to spend valuable resources they often don’t really have access to in order to save someone from a situation they got into because they made a stupid mistake.
But that’s why I’m telling you this story - because I learned a valuable lesson in humanity from my buddy Zach. Zach literally gave the guy the fleece off his back and together we did some basic first-aid on the guy before leading him back to civilization. The tourist learned a valuable lesson too: Next time, bring a helicopter!
That is Backcountry Etiquette 101. So if we find anyone in trouble, we’re going to help them. Call it good karma if you want to - I just believe it’s the right thing to do.
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