A Senior Project Inspires a Winter Backpacking Trip
Ben Anderson, Mt. Ararat High School student, prepares gear for his winter camping overnight at the Teens to Trails’ office.
Ben Anderson, a recent graduate of Mt. Ararat High School, contacted to Teens to Trails to help plan his senior Capstone Project — a three-day, two-night solo winter backpacking experience.
Teens to Trails’ Program Manager, Samantha Andrews, was thrilled to mentor Ben. As a backpacker and winter hiker herself, she was eager to share her knowledge and experience to ensure a safe, fun trip into the woods.
Samantha met with Ben over a 6-week period to help him prepare. Our Full Trip Planning Guide provided a great place to start. Since this was Ben’s first solo winter backpacking experience, they selected Grafton Notch State Park, a location in Maine with a relatively short trail distance, and an early winter timeframe to avoid severe weather and challenging conditions.
The final trip plan looked like this:
Overview:
Day 1: Park on Route 26 at the Appalachian Trail in Grafton Notch State Park. Hike the Appalachian Trail North towards Baldpate Lean-to. 2 miles.
Day 2: Hike to Frye Notch Lean-to along the Appalachian Trail. 3.4 miles.
Day 3: Return to Route 26, head South on the Appalachian Trail. 5.4 miles.
Dates: December 17-19th, 2021
A plan is only as good as your ability to adapt and change course as situations arise. The week of Ben’s trip, 3-7 inches of snow and 45 mph gusts of wind were forecasted. He decided to cut his trip from three days to two, and return to his car before the snow arrived.
After Ben’s first experience winter camping/backpacking he shared some of his learnings:
Why did you want to go winter backpacking for your Capstone Project?
I wanted to learn something new that would be a challenge. I knew if I enjoyed it, I’d want to continue winter backpacking in the future.
What was the purpose for having a mentor for your project?
Sam taught me things about winter backpacking I didn’t know before. She supported me through the entire process of planning and preparing, lending me equipment from the Teens to Trails’ gear shed, and showing me how to pack.
Some of my favorite tips were how to stay warm at night. For dinner, I boiled water for Ramen noodles and a Good to Go dehydrated meal. I filled my Nalgene bottle with boiling water and placed it at my feet in my sleeping bag, and kept my water filter next to my body to prevent it from freezing. I also learned that going to the bathroom before bed ensures your body won’t waste needed energy.
So, how was your first winter backpacking experience?
I loved the Maine wilderness in winter! The view at the summit of East Baldpate was beautiful. You could see for miles.
I also had a great time challenging myself. Backpacking in the winter can be very cold, and I was thankful for the proper equipment. A borrowed zero degree sleeping bag, tent, and micro spikes gifted from my dad were my most essential pieces of gear. The trail was very icy so the micro spikes on my boots made the trip doable. The temperature dropped to 20-degrees at night. The warm bag and tent set up in the lean-to kept me comfortable… not toasty warm though!
What advice would you pass along to other students who might be interested in trying something new outdoors?
I’d recommend reaching out to Teens to Trails or your school’s outdoor club to get involved in any new or challenging outdoor activities you want to try.
What do you love most about the outdoors?
I love how beautiful and peaceful it can be, especially when alone.
Why do you think an outdoor club is important for your high school?
Outdoor clubs help get teens outside, hiking, exploring and doing whatever it is that makes them happy. Most teenagers don’t realize how fun being outside can be. They also help students make connections, supply materials, and provide opportunities they might not have otherwise.
This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity and clarity.
