Big Wild Advocates offers wilderness backpacking adventures at various locations throughout the western U.S. Participants must be members of Big Wild Advocates; any donation, whatever you can afford, will suffice as a membership fee. All trips are organized and led by a professional Big Wild Adventures guide; however the guide receives no monetary compensation for most of these trips. All receipts beyond the cost of running these trips are used to advance the conservation agenda of Big Wild Advocates. All payments to Big Wild Advocates are tax deductible under applicable laws.
Big Wild Advocates Backpacking Schedule 2010
REDROCK CANYONS OF THE WILD ESCALANTE
April 25-May 1 Utah
$1,800
The awesome and beautiful "Slickrock Canyon Country" of
southern Utah is wilderness at its best. The Escalante River, a
tributary of the Colorado, has cut a magnificent canyon system through
the colorful sedimentary rocks of the Colorado Plateau. Sheer, red
canyon walls and a variety of spectacular geologic features including
arches, alcoves, and rincons characterize this wilderness. We'll hike
along and through the Escalante River and side canyons -- ribbons of
cool water, flanked by a lush growth of cottonwood, oak, box-elder,
willow, and grass. Wildflowers abound. There'll be plenty of time for
exploration of side canyons, and we'll spend at least one night camped
on the unique slickrock desert above, where views of the entire
landscape are utterly spectacular. We'll also see Anasazi rock art and
ruins.
Warm sunny days and cool nights are the rule. We rate
this trip as moderate to fairly strenuous with much off-trail, and its
base is Cedar City, Utah. This trip is offered only in even-numbered
years.
MONTANA'S ROOFTOP, THE MIGHTY BEARTOOTHS August 1-6, 2010 Montana For Big Wild Advocates Donors
Just northeast of Yellowstone is a vast alpine
domain of Montana's
highest and most spectacular peaks. Glaciers, alpine tundra, and hundreds of
clear, icy lakes characterize this high-altitude wilderness. Subalpine forests
of spruce, fir, and whitebark pine are interspersed with flower-strewn meadows.
The granite peaks are spectacular, and we may see mountain goat, bear, moose
,and other wildlife. Portions of our route will be off-trail and above tree
line. Prepare for any kind of weather on this fairly strenuous
trip based in Gardiner, Montana. Note: This trip is free, but we
will accept only those who have contributed at least $1,700 to Big Wild
Advocates during the calendar year. Trips will be led by a professional Big Wild Adventures guide who will be donating his
time.
BOUNDARY WATERS, LATE SUMMER PARADISE August 30-September 5, 2010 Minnesota,
$2,200
This is the quintessential wilderness canoeing
experience, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is our biggest wild
area east of the Mississippi.
We'll paddle and portage (short hikes moving lightweight gear and canoes
overland to the next water) in a rich land of spruce, fir, pine, maple,
basswood, birch, aspen and other trees of eastern U.S. and Canadian forests.
There are rich wetlands and lots of waterfowl, plus deer, moose, bear, marten,
wolves, and othet forest creatures. Rocky hills with great views overlook some
lakes. Late summer weather and water temperatures are uaually pleasantly warm.
This trip is moderate, based in Duluth, Minnesota,
and is run by Big Wild Advocates.
