I recently returned from the Sierra Nevada mountains. I started in Mammoth, ended in Lee Vining and between spent 4 days exploring northern Yosemite, the Yosemite high country, on an off-trail backpacking trip with one of my favorite backcountry guides, Heather Ekstrom, of Burning Daylight Expeditions. Also joined by a new a friend David, an acquaintance of Heather’s.
Not only is Heather an amazing backcountry guide, friendly, accommodating, a pure joy to talk to, but she is a fantastic cook. She has perfected the art of planning, packing and preparing tasty and wholesome meals that warm the heart and refill your body and mind.
Each day in the backcountry starts with coffee, breakfast and individual morning routines. As the sun peeks shyly over the nearby crests we move somewhat aimlessly, shaking off the sleep and beginning to organize our gear.
After breaking camp and strapping on packs, the days starts in quite reflection. For 30 minutes we warm up the muscles, walking slowly, capturing mental images of last nights home and settling into a new day of travel by foot surrounded by beauty. I’d love to take credit for the 30 minutes of silence in the morning, but I can’t. It’s Heather’s way of ensuring that we start the day with ‘me’ time. Sorting, shuffling and storing our thoughts and distractions and focusing on why we’re here and preparing to make the most of the daylight, natural beauty and camaraderie.
There is only so much daylight to burn. It’s precious. We spend our time in this wonderland intentionally.
With only a rough plan and what remains in Heather’s memory of her last expedition in the area, we look toward our destination and wander forward. Adjusting our path only to avoid dangerous cliffs and impassible rock walls, streams and rivers. Our focus remains close. Ensuring a navigable path toward our goal. Our gaze is distant. Pausing frequently to lift our heads from the ground and take note of landscape that surrounds us. Another look toward our destination to ensure we’re heading the right direction and back to it.
If you’re interested in the experiencing the backcountry with Heather, check out her expeditions at https://bdexpeditions.com
