Santa Fe Backpacking | Photo by Brett Hull | The Wright State Guardian
The Santa Fe, N.M. backpacking and snowshoeing trip is a 9-day hike to remember. During those nine days, trip-goers will experience mountain-side views and gain experience in both backpacking and snowshoeing.
The Trip begins Jan. 1 and goes through Jan 9.
What is expected from the Santa Fe trip?
The Santa Fe, N.M. trip allows people to experience views, new experiences with friends and a chance to soak in a natural hot spring in Colo. before returning home. The trip itself costs $499 which includes meals, gear, trail leaders, campsite fees, permit fees, the post-trip hotel and the hot springs fees at the end of the 25 mile hike.
“I went to Seattle, Washington a couple years ago, that really made me want to go on a backpacking trip,” Dylan Hall said, one of the participants going on the trip.
This is not the first year that people get to gather and head to Santa Fe for this hike through the snow and wilderness. No other trips had been canceled prior to COVID-19 complications in 2020.
“[We’re] doing about four days on the trail. It’s gonna be about five to seven miles a day,” Eli Gerkensmeyer said, one of the two leaders on the Santa Fe trip.
The itinerary for this trip can be found here and on the signup page.
What is needed for the trip?
Zero backpacking and snowshoeing experiences is needed, but in order to do the seven mile daily hike, trip-goers need to be able to carry 40 pounds on a steep incline. The items included in the 40 pound backpack are clothes, equipment, toiletries, water, food, needed extras and flashlights.
Before participants can go with the group to Santa Fe, NM they must take a fitness test where they are given a 40 pound backpack and complete two miles on a treadmill at an incline. This is important so no one on the trip becomes injured due to physically being unable to carry that much weight.
At least three days before the trip begins, everyone must have a negative COVID-19 test before departure.
The sights and more
“This is actually [along part of] the Continental Divide Trail so it’s a lot higher in elevation,” Gerkensmeyer said.
One of the many sights that can possibly be seen if the skies are clear enough is a glimpse of the Milky Way Galaxy.
“I’ve never been backpacking before but it looks gorgeous in all the pictures we’ve seen so [I’m] excited to see the mountainous views and [having] a good time with a bunch of friends for the week,” Nate Saner said, another participant on the trip.
