[birds chirping]
- For me, it starts as, like, a little seed crystal of an idea,
of, like, "I wonder what it's like up this drainage."
- Well, I know that's the drainage.
- I enjoy a challenge,
but I have a strong respect for nature.
I don't venture out into the wilderness
unless I know I'll be able to come back safely
and leave the backcountry as pristine as I found it.
- It feels dangerous, and it feels humbling,
and it requires every bit of respect and preparedness
and skill that you have.
- Planning is key to a successful backcountry trip.
Angels, let's focus.
A lot of getting psyched for a trip, for me,
is just poring over the maps
and wondering to myself, "What's that gonna look like?"
Here there's a really cool waterfall,
although that would be a longer hike.
I have a feeling that we're gonna be limited
to an area that's about like this.
- Yeah.
- We need to figure out a route,
and since there are no trails or signs in Denali,
it's up to us to determine
where to go and how to get there.
- This is, like, a really awesome canyon.
Nobody tells you what to expect,
and you've got to figure it out,
and that's what makes it so rewarding too.
- Doesn't water fall out?
- Looks pretty tight right there.
- Yeah.
- Without trails,
our progress will be slower,
so we need to be careful not to be too ambitious
with our route selection.
- You come up on top and then walk the tundra down.
- Even if you plan a pretty straightforward trip,
things can happen.
- Steep scree slopes.
- As we plan our route,
we discuss possible backup options
in case we need to make a last-minute change.
- It's heartbreaking sometimes when you're out there
and you're so excited because you're a couple miles
from camp and it's gonna be awesome,
and then there's a bear right where you were gonna camp
and you can't camp there.
[indistinct chatter]
- As you can see, with the rivers,
they're gonna open up and be more...
- When we get our permit
at the Backcountry Information Center,
the rangers help us mark out areas we need to avoid.
- Do they waterfall at all?
- This one.
- That one does? - Yeah.
That's the huge waterfall.
You're gonna have these mediolateral moraine strips.
- Marking the map with unit boundaries
and wild closures is vital for following our permit,
and for avoiding sensitive wildlife areas
like nests, dens, or feeding sites.
[indistinct chatter]
Wildlife closure.
At Denali, rangers don't watch for overdue hikers,
so we always make sure that somebody outside the group
knows our plan and will contact the park service
if we're missing.
That's got a hint of yellow.
- Yes.
- After this?
How are we splitting it up?
- Do you want to carry the bear can?
Now that we have a plan,
we divide up gear and get packing.
- You know what, I can take a first aid kit.
- You want to take the cook set with the stove?
Making it into a ritual,
developing a method,
is really important.
Meds. Chapstick.
Trowel.
With so many things to plan for,
it's easy to forget something.
I follow a personal checklist of reminders
to keep me on track.
Socks. Gloves. Boots.
To be ready for the Denali wilderness,
I bring gear that will prepare me for a variety of situations.
Yeah, you have to be ready for anything.
It's just an air mattress.
So these are the boots I take out.
I always take sturdy boots and trekking poles
to keep my stable during river crossings
and on rough terrain.
Really important for being able to get across a river safely,
and I've got a little bit of duct tape here.
A GPS, it has gotten me out of some sticky situations.
I really like having gators.
If I'm going through water that's not really deep,
this will keep water out of my boots.
My cook set. My water filter.
And also some backup chlorine droplets.
My clothes.
If I'm starting a trip
under blue skies, I'm gonna get rained on.
I'm sure of it.
When preparing for weather,
I follow a few basic rules.
One: layer up.
I pack multiple layers of clothing
that I can put on or take off
according to my activity level
and the current weather conditions.
Of course some good rain gear.
Two: choose clothing material wisely.
I pack clothes made of moisture wicking synthetic fabrics
or wool, which will keep me warm
even if they are wet.
My thermal layers.
I avoid cotton, because when it gets wet,
it retains moisture and doesn't provide the insulation I need.
This stuff sack itself is not waterproof,
so I'll wrap a big plastic bag around it.
Waterproof everything.
I pack my clothes and sleeping bag
in plastic bags so they stay dry
even if my pack gets soaked.
I've got my map, my compass,
my GPS.
If something goes wrong,
we have to be prepared to rescue ourselves.
I always bring an emergency kit
with first aid supplies, signaling devices,
and survival gear.
I've got a lot of different medications.
Second Skin for blisters.
Bandages.
These Steri-Strips.
Rolled gauze.
An emergency blanket.
Signal mirror,
maybe on your compass.
Waterproof matches.
A head lamp.
A flare.
Food is next on my list.
So...
Yogurt-covered raisins.
Cheese is pretty important.
Tasty Bites.
One of the major limitations on food
is your bear can.
I like to repackage my food in plastic bags
to cut down on bulk.
I also make sure to bring enough fuel
for all of our cooking,
because no campfires are allowed in the wilderness area.
I separate out anything with a smell,
because it might attract bears.
In addition to food, this includes toothpaste,
insect repellent, lip balm,
or anything else with a scent.
Tasty Bite.
All food and scented items
must be store in bear-resistant food containers.
Bear cans are required for all backcountry trips
as a way of preventing bears
from getting at food and garbage.
I've got the tent, the bear can,
the stove kit, cook set, fuel.
Everything can now go into the pack.
All right.
What lies ahead is still a mystery,
but thanks to thorough planning and packing,
I feel confident about exploring
the Denali wilderness.
This is really hard, but he says
once you get up a little further,
it's really fast.
- It's never old. It never gets old.