2006
Spring Backpacking to
Summary: Our group
consisted of Becky Morris, Josh Fowler, Josh Morton, Eric Jones, and Katie
Porter. We went down to Red River Gorge in
Our Trail: We opted to hike the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Red River Gorge. This is a beautiful hike, and we would recommend doing it. The trail is very up and down. Parts of it are hard to follow. We recommend you take a map with you – this helped us often. Coach D has a topographic and a basic layout map (we took a copy of each). If possible, start on the trail in the daylight and hike as much as possible in daylight. The trail can be hard to follow, especially at night. You do need a parking pass to be in the Gorge overnight (Exit 33 for Slade sells them at the Shell station - $5 per car). Once you enter the Gorge, follow the road for several miles. The parking lot is just before the bridge over the river and the trailhead is just after on the right. Don’t be surprised if it seems there are a lot of trees fallen over the path – there are quite a few. It can be helpful to look for the route that has trees cut in half that are over the path. That usually signifies it is the way to go as someone has been there before helping make the way a little clearer.
Our Group’s Advice:
1. Bring at least 3 pair of socks. It does add extra weight, but you’ll be thankful if your feet are soaked.
2. Watch for switchbacks. The trail isn’t real well marked in several areas. Look for white diamonds on the trees, but don’t be too surprised to go for a long stretch without seeing one. One word of caution: after you go up the stairs, watch for a switchback to the right. Josh M, Eric, and I missed it at walked about an extra mile.
3. Don’t trust the mileage on the markers. It is not marked too often, and when it is, it’s not always correct. We saw a sign for 5 miles to the end, walked for a good bit, and then saw another for 4 ½ miles. Talk about demoralizing…
4. Water was flowing pretty freely and tasted good. However, it was dryer for groups that have gone before so this might be more apt to happen in the spring after it’s been raining. Josh F and Becky used bleach and the rest of us didn’t. No one has gotten sick so use it if you want to.
5. Practice setting up your tarp before you leave, especially if there is a chance of rain. Becky and I were trying to set up very quickly before it poured and didn’t really get it to work. Needless to say, we were wet (especially Becky). If you’re confident it will be dry, you can practice on the trail.
6. Be prepared to cross streams/rivers – we crossed 6 times. Again, groups that have gone in dryer times haven’t had to do this. And this is also part of the reason we wished for another pair of dry socks – crossing rivers and lots of mud.
7. Be mentally prepared – you’re going to carry a fair amount of weight for a good distance. Do what you can to get yourself ready for that.
8. Continue to ask the question “What Would Ray Do?” Sometimes it does come in handy, but it also usually induces laughter.
9. Carrying stakes makes it much easier to set up your tarp. It does add a bit of weight, but not much if you buy the plastic ones. And if it’s raining, you’ll be thankful.
10. Put up your food at night – we had a visitor one night. And of course it had to be a skunk. We just closed our eyes and pretended he wasn’t there since he didn’t seem ready to spray.
11. Eat @ Miguel’s Pizza afterwards!!! Go South on 11 for about 2 miles and you’ll see a bright yellow building on the left. It’s pretty tasty.
Joshua Fowler 
Previous Hiking Experience:
I have done many day hikes from Turkey Run to
What I Learned:
1. Do everything you can to keep
your stuff dry. Take a few trash bags.
2.
Take two extra pairs of socks. I only took one and regretted it.
3.
Take food that you enjoy. I took a couple of items that were okay but when I
saw what a couple others from my team brought, I regretted a couple of my
choices. I should have taken cheese, beef jerky, and
sunflower seeds instead of a lot of trail mix and granola bars.
4.
Also, I should have made sure I could adequately set up my tarp in a timely
way. Because of rain, I had to settle with a partially set up tarp. Also, I
think I might try take plastic, lightweight stakes for
the tarp next time. Josh Morton and Eric brought stakes and I became envious. .
5.
Also, I wish I had brought gloves. Though this was highly recommended from past
ventures, I disregarded it. I shouldn’t have.
Memories: I know I will
have many memories from this trip. From the beginning, trying to set up tarps
while a storm a little less than a typhoon was whipping through. Though this
caused much hardship (wet clothes and hardly no sleep)
for Katie and Becky, I think it was a good experience that we all had learned
from.
.
I
think I will never forget crossing the rushing, deep
Another memory that I have already told many times was when we all slept out in a tarp under a rock formation. But this is not the memory. The memory is when I woke up to a rodent trying to get into a bag full of food that Becky left out before we went to bed about foot above my head. I woke up and scared it away twice not knowing what it was. Finally, after the third time it showed up I turned on my headlamp and realized that it was a skunk. I then woke Josh up and we agreed that we should just put the food away and try to fall back asleep. Fortunately, this was the best call and we didn’t hear anything else from the little guy (or girl).
Another good memory is eating at Miguel’s pizza after the strenuous hike and reminiscing about the trek. Though it might have been mediocre pizza at best, it was a taste of heaven that I will recommend others to stop and try.
I think I will also remember Eric and Katie falling into streams and mud and Becky hiking most of the trail in shorts because her pants were wet most of the trip and Josh guiding us using a topography map.
Kudos: I
could go on with the kudos but to make it somewhat short,
I give kudos to Katie for planning out the logistics of the trip and keeping
the team talkative and entertained. She brought a joyful spirit to the team. I
enjoyed her singing (and dancing, I mean bobbing) in the car.
Eric,
too, brought a joyful spirit to the team. He was constantly laughing and being
sarcastic. I think this gave the team lighter spirits and kept us moralized
when we slipped into demoralization because of a poorly marked, muddy, rough
trail. Also, Eric was willing for us to use his car for the drive. That was
huge.
I give kudos to Becky for bringing a sense of calmness when it was too easy not to be calm. She also brought a confidence that I think all of us, whether consciously or unconsciously, appreciated when the trail seemed too long to finish and the weather seemed unbearable. She hiked almost all 25 miles in shorts! Becky is a determined girl who encourages you without saying too many words.
And to Josh, I give kudos to him for bringing a sense of confidence to the team. He too had a great sense of humor that made us all laugh. I also give him kudos for making a lot of the calls as to where to sleep and guiding us through using a topography map. I think all of us appreciated his calmness and confidence and being laid back. I think this will get him far. He also drove half of the way down there and all the way back up while the rest of us slept or read.
Final Note: I can say I learned a lot on this trip, about backpacking, about my fellow travelers and about myself. Though this trek was hard and demoralizing in some spots, I am glad we all finished strong and kept going when it was easier to turn back (because again, the trail is marked poorly, at best).
I
think one can learn a lot of themselves and others and in general, life, by
going on a backpacking trip. I think I learned more about sacrificing and
pushing my limits when I feel like quitting or turning back. I learned that I
need people in my life to help guide me and bring a sense of confidence and
support in my life. I learned that I need to laugh sometimes in situations that
seem unlaughable for it is in the laughter that I found hope. I learned (once
more) that everyone has weaknesses yet also has strengths that are needed in
the Body.
I
learned much more but to write more would be overkill. Overall, I had a blast
and would be willing to go on a hike with any of these people anytime in the
future. All four of them brought something unique to the team that helped
empowered the rest to keep going. They are all quality people that God has
gifted with unique traits that are necessary and needed in the Body.
Katie Porter 
Previous Hiking Experience:
I’ve done several day hikes in various places like
What I learned: 1. I would take a bigger tarp – especially if it was supposed to accommodate 2 people again. And I would take a few cheap plastic stakes along as well.
2. I would take an additional pair of socks. It’s real nice to put your feet in a dry pair at night.
3. I wouldn’t do this differently, but would recommend doing it again (as I would). I’m not a huge water person so I took a Gatorade and Propel fitness water. For at least part of the trip I had a tasty beverage. After I refilled one with water, I could switch back and forth – definitely the way to go.
4. I wouldn’t take the stays out of my pack. I removed the metal pieces that go up the back and also the hip belt in the name of saving ounces. Removing the stays created an uneven pack that Josh F. was thankfully able to rig up with sticks to make it more comfortable. The pack had been flopping all over and really hurting. Also, the hip belt seemed to really help my compatriots.
5. I took a clean set of clothes for the ride home and found that to be refreshing. I mainly did it because I had the expectation that it would rain all weekend and I don’t usually find a 5 hour car ride in wet clothes that enjoyable. Even though I wasn’t soaked, it was nice and easy enough to leave in the car and have something fresh.
Memories: Of course I will not forget the night of nearly no sleep and spooning with Becky as we both continued to get wet. Not really a happy memory, but a memory none the less. Also the view from the cliff that Eric, Josh M, and I walked to (accidentally) was beautiful. Actually, much of the trail is really pretty – I can only imagine what it would be like in the summer or fall. Crossing the river by straddling a fallen tree was very interesting. We definitely had a good time doing that. Sleeping under the rock formation was very nice (though I don’t know that it’s legal). It was a clear night and I slept like a rock.
Kudos: Josh F – he’s always up for a good conversation – I enjoy that. And a HUGE thanks to him for rigging up my pack when I could not figure out why it was so lopsided. That helped a ton. Also, Josh did a great job leading the way with incredible instincts.
Josh M – Great work with the topo map. I don’t know where we would have wound up without you. Josh provided a good deal of steadiness to the group that is much appreciated. Thanks for your encouragement and persevering spirit. (I still think you could have sang for us all but whatever…)
Eric – Thanks for being my personal cheerleader. Eric made me laugh a ton (granted, at times it was at him – but he was laughing too). He has a great ability to keep the mood light. Thanks for taking your car. Without that, it would have been a much longer hike. Thanks, Eric.
Becky – Thanks for bringing your ability to keep pushing on. Becky leads well without many words – she’s confident in what she’s doing. Also, the first night she got so wet and cold, but she wasn’t a complainer – she hiked the rest of the trail in shorts because of her wet pants, and I really have no idea how she did that. Thanks also for brining your calm spirit, Becky.
Final Note: This was quite an enjoyable venture. As this was my first outing of this sort, I was a bit nervous, but I would definitely go again. I think it’s something everyone should do at least once. Before we left, I really didn’t know any of the other hikers too well, but don’t let that be a hindrance. We all worked together and helped when others were weak (like Eric walking with me when my knee became very painful). It’s so interesting to come to the end of something like a 25 mile trail and be able to see what your body can handle. Now 25 miles doesn’t seem quite as long as it once did. Also, just taking time to be in the beauty of creating is refreshing after being on campus for so long. Breathing fresh air and drinking from a stream can really awaken the senses and revive the spirit.
Eric Jones 
Previous Experience: Before this class I had very little
experience in backpacking. Last Spring I took a trip out to
What I Learned: There are a couple of things I would do differently
1) Bring more socks: The trail had a lot of river crossings and the sun was not out enough to dry out our socks before we had to put them back on again.
2) Pack Lighter: The Go-Lite system seemed to make sense, and as I was packing I tried to take out everything I didn’t need. But in the end my pack was full of stuff and quite heavy.
3) Take a map: Two members of the group had maps but when we got separated I was left with a badly marked trail and a very confused feeling.
4) Shed the Cotton: I only had cotton clothing (t-shirts) and it made a difference in body temperature.
5) Don’t let your guard down: For most the trip I was thinking how far I had left to go, and when a sign said 5 miles I got excited. After hiking at least 2 more miles we found a sign that said we had 4.5 miles left to go. It was really discouraging, but I was able to recover and regain a positive attitude.
Memories: I have lot of memories from the trip including having to shimmy across a log to get to the other side of the river, standing around looking for white diamonds, and frequently having to take off shoes to wade across the water.
Kudos: Katie- We made it, bad knee and all! I knew you could do it. It was fun talking to you along the trail. Good luck in the job hunt.
Morton- I’m glad you decided to come along after all! I wouldn’t have been the same without you and your topographic map.
Josh- Thanks for being our fearless leader for most the hike! It was a lot of fun getting to know you better.
Becky- It was a lot of fun hiking with you and getting to know you better. Thanks for your continuing drive and perseverance it was awesome!
Final Note: I really had a
great time on the hike. I am hoping to go somewhere (possibly
Josh Morton 
Previous Experience - lots of day hiking in
What I learned -
1. Don’t dehydrate yourself in the name of
conservation. I was trying to save what water I had for the whole weekend,
but I was dehydrating myself because of it.
2. The extra weight of a headlamp is worth it. For an extra few ounces,
our lives were a whole lot easier when hiking/setting camp at night.
3. Cotton really is the enemy when hiking.
Nothing that got wet ever dried out, even after hanging outside my pack in the
sun all day on Sunday. Cotton just doesn’t dry fast enough.
4. Love the hipbelt. I know ultralight
hiking frowns on the hipbelt, but it saved my shoulders and back from carrying
the weight all by itself. It’s nice to shift the weight down to your hips from
time to time.
5. Just keep swimming. Or
as the case may be, hiking. As the miles wore on, it got harder and
harder to get up the hills, but the key is just to keep your legs moving.
Stopping halfway up just makes the climb that much worse.
Memories
–
-
Crossing the
-
Becky’s mud run of death: By far, it was the most impressive 50 feet of hiking
on the entire trail.
-
Finding a great rock overhang to sleep under on the last night. We’d been
looking at them all day and thinking about how great they’d be to camp under.
- The
skunk experience
- The
last half mile and how it was more difficult than any other part of the trail
-
Getting to the finish, and the feeling of pushing myself further than I ever
thought I could.
-
Hitchhiking the 8 miles back to the car
- What
Would Ray Do?
Kudos –
Katie:
The way you kept plugging away on Sunday was incredible. It was amazing to see
you still back there walking, regardless of how much
you were hurting. Awesome.
Becky:
You really are a machine! I think if it wasn’t for the rest of us you could’ve
done the whole trail without even taking a break J It was great hiking with you.
Josh:
You earned my respect right from the beginning with your ability to navigate
and find the trail using only a not-to-scale map and your instincts. I enjoyed
getting to know you and spending the weekend on the trail with you.
Eric:
It was great to see you push yourself physically. I know you’re more capable
than you give yourself credit for, and loved seeing it surface on the trail.
Thanks for one more great memory from the WU.
Finally –
I’ve
never pushed my body as far as I pushed it on this trip. Going in, I thought
physically I’d never make the 25 miles, and I thought mentally I’d let the
trail get the best of me. But on the trail, with the encouragement of the group
and the desire to keep going, I not only finished the trail, but learned a lot
about myself and what I’m capable of. What a great weekend!