My dad’s life is outlined by arduous work—an intense blue-collar, long-haul supply job that calls for bodily energy and endurance in any respect hours, usually from midnight to 3pm on weekdays. He’s the epitome of reliability, usually taken without any consideration by those that depend upon him, however he simply calls himself an everyday man. (If solely he knew.)
With solely seven days of trip annually, my dad chooses to spend each single one among them backpacking. This custom started lengthy earlier than I used to be born. He hiked the Pacific Crest Path in sections over 32 years as he solely had the seven-day window every time. I began becoming a member of him 21 years in the past, once I was solely 6 and he usually carried me on his shoulders. Extra just lately my older brother has come alongside too.
Paper maps
Once I was youthful, I at all times knew our journey was quickly when my dad unfold his favourite backpacking books and paper maps throughout our 12-foot eating room desk. He’s at all times achieved this, from the time I may learn “OREGON ROAD MAP” to now, making an attempt to assist resolve the place we go based mostly on the descriptions written. Regardless of the know-how obtainable for locating trails and navigating journeys, he prefers to notice the right routes with paper and pencil.
Fairly than downloading maps and descriptions of the path onto his telephone, he prints them out and brings them in a plastic baggie to guard them from rain.
He reads the guidebooks aloud every time we’re ready for our dinner to rehydrate. He likes to learn the outline of the subsequent day’s path: its issue, the terrain, or the crops we’re more likely to encounter.
Our journeys are crammed with nonstop laughter, deep conversations and telling one another which Mountain Home meal we’re gonna have for dinner that night time. On our final seven-day journey to the Wallowa Mountains in jap Oregon, we dove into the mysteries of the universe and its vastness.
Silence of the outside
My father thrives within the silence of the outside. He cherishes it, really., whether or not he’s quietly observing the world round him or listening to the earth shift beneath our boots as we trek up a switchback.
On the final night time of the Wallowa journey, I caught him standing alone, gazing up in silent contemplation and awe. He was soaking in the great thing about the Wallowas one final time earlier than we needed to trek to the automotive the subsequent morning. It made my coronary heart ache. Within the numerous occasions he has checked out stunning views, huge deserts, craters, forests, mountains of sheet rock and wildflowers, he by no means can get sufficient. He’s at all times simply as grateful as he was when he had began backpacking.
Final fall, as we wrapped up our journey, I seen one thing that I wasn’t anticipating. My dad’s beard, as soon as sandy blonde, has now turned grey and white. This refined change instantly made my coronary heart harm. It’s simple to neglect that our dad and mom are navigating life, similar to we’re. Rising up, we frequently see them as superhero figures. But they too are experiencing, studying and discovering alongside us. Simply as I discover pleasure in exploring new issues with my mates, they’re nonetheless discovering issues, however sharing these experiences with us, their youngsters.
Seeing his white beard now could be a stark reminder of how shortly time passes. As my dad has gotten older, I’ve realized how treasured the time I’ve with him is. Every summer time spent backpacking with my dad is a treasured reward, one which I treasure deeply.
No rationalization wanted
Earlier this week, I obtained a textual content from him. No emojis, no context—simply: “August 11-17, 2025!”
No rationalization was wanted. I saved the dates in my busy calendar and began counting down the times till our subsequent switchback collectively.
Gear Up Like Greg
Title: Greg Wayt
REI Co-op Member since: 1999
Dwelling retailer: Eugene, Oregon
My dad is a creature of behavior, not often deviating from his routine except REI introduces a brand new ultralight tent or anti-gravity water filtration system. Listed below are three items of drugs he at all times brings with him.
Therm-a-Relaxation (3/4 size) sleeping pad: He has had this since his first backpacking journey in 1996. My brother and I each have newer ones, however it doesn’t matter what he LOVES his Therm-a-Relaxation.
White waffle REI model light-weight lengthy sleeve: He additionally bought this for his first journey ever and has by no means as soon as gone on a visit with out it. It’s a bit greyish now, however he has by no means changed it.
REI insulated mug (here’s a hyperlink as a result of I discover it amusing that it’s now labeled as “classic.”)
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