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the wilderness is calling.

what happens on the trail

MONTANA'S BACKCOUNTRY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR EXCUSES. STEEP TERRAIN, HEAVY PACKS, AND WEATHER THAT CHANGES WITHOUT WARNING. THAT'S THE POINT.

FOUR DAYS. YOU CARRY YOUR WEIGHT. YOU COVER MILES. YOU SLEEP OUTSIDE. THE PIG EGG GOES WHERE YOU GO — 75 POUNDS OF DOG TAGS ON EVERY STEP OF EVERY TRAIL.

EVERY CAMP IS SET UP AND BROKEN DOWN AS A TEAM. EVERY MEAL IS COOKED AND EATEN TOGETHER. THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE. THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM THE PRESENT MOMENT. THAT IS THE POINT.

2027 HIKES

Group of hikers walking in a line through a grassy field with mountains and trees in the background, dressed in outdoor gear with backpacks and trekking poles.

vltat 27-3

august

Group of people hiking through tall grass at dusk, carrying backpacks and gear.

vltat 27-4

September

spouse

AAR · After Action Review

The debrief, in their own words.

THE WEIGHT YOU CARRY DOESN'T STAY ON THE TRAIL

Most programs want to talk about what's wrong.

We want to show you what's still possible.

Apply now
Dome tents in camp on a foggy morning
Coffee by the morning fire
Veterans stretching by a mountain lake in the morning
Veteran with a loaded pack on
Breaking camp in the morning
Veterans hiking up the trail with packs
Packs down on a trail break
Taking care of a hot spot on a foot
Team leader adjusting a pack
Filtering water into a bottle at camp
Five small dome tents in a mountain meadow camp
Filling water at a mountain lake at dusk
Building the evening fire
Class at camp in the afternoon
The crew around the fire at night
The team fire under a sky full of stars

A day on the trail

Up before the sun.
Coffee at the fire.
Loosen up. The trail won't.
Forty pounds. Every step.
Twenty-five on. Five off.
Hot spots get fixed. Packs get fixed.
Filter it. Drink it. Keep moving.
Five tents. One crew.
Water first. Then fire.
Then you learn something.
Fire. Food. Laughs.
This is what you came for.I am interested

WHAT GEAR DO WE BRING?

CHRIS WHITLEY EXPLAINS WHAT GEAR WE BRING INTO A HIKE TRIP.