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Yellowstone
by Abby Staible
Guest Writer
FILE PHOTO
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Let me begin my stating the motto that carried the team of nine students and three leaders through the Bechler Canyon of Yellowstone National Park in January: ”The Bechler...in January!” Little did I know when I signed up for this course that I would be undertaking along with my 11 teammates the premier winter backpacking trek in the country.
We all started to feel as though we were about to embark on something incredible when we saw the cover story of Backpacker magazine featuring the Bechler Trail that we were scheduled to complete. The excitement and anticipation for the trip had been building since our first meeting in late October so by the time that Thursday morning, January 16 began I was anxious to get started. I had no idea the physical, mental, and emotional challenges that the team would face for the next 10 days.
The first evening on the trail was -18 degrees which proved to be the first challenge facing the team. Thankfully, the sun was out warming us up quickly once it shone over the ridge. We enjoyed this sunshine for the first four days as we continued to make efficient progress on the trail. Because of the great progress we made, by our fourth evening we were one day ahead so we decided to take a day of rest the following day which was welcomed. We experienced a team injury on the fourth day as well which once again made it necessary to take time to rest. Rest came in the 100 degree river run-off from a hydrothermal area where we spent most of our day just soaking. It was rather surreal.
By Tuesday morning we were on the trail again, consumed by the snow falling down around us as we descended the Bechler Canyon. We skiied in snow from Monday until we left the park on Friday, which proved challenging as the snow soaked all of our gear. But through the challenges came incredible triumphs as the team never lost heart and continued to find joy in the little things. Whether it was reciting lines from our favorite movies or singing our favorite songs at the top of our lungs as we skiied on, there was never a sense of hopelessness or despair even in the darkest moments.
Our ninth day we were forced to cross two rivers without the means of a bridge. Once again, we could have given up, but this was never an option. By the time that we skiied to the van on Friday morning my body was telling me that there was no way that I could have gone further, but my heart was telling me otherwise. I knew that what we had accomplished was something incredible.
For the experience of knowing my eleven teammates and experiencing the challenges and triumphs that we did, I would do the Bechler again in a heartbeat. We were not simply a team, but a family who relied on one another for survival. God’s presence encompassed us as we took in the majestic beauty around us as well as his provision in guiding us through. What better place to worship our creator than surrounded by his creation? I will never forget the time that I spent this January in the Bechler.
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