Landing in Bozeman, Montana we loaded up an AWD vehicle and set off for the backcountry. Bouncing down dirt roads for a few hours, we finally arrived at our backcountry summit hosted by TREAD agency.
For the next three days we would learn survival skills from the winner of Alone, Jordan Jonas, discover the wonders of the Montana landscape, get a first look at new gear soon to be released, and eat like kings.
A field of wildflowers and a tower in Monument Valley during the spring sunrise. Photo by Dalton Johnson
The Montana Landscape is Diverse and Mind-bending
Sitting down and talking with the Montana Department of Commerce I was delighted to learn that there was more to Montana than mountains, Yellowstone, and wildlife. Actually, I was impressed to find out there is more recreation in the sprawling lands of Eastern, and Central, Montana than its Western counterpart.
Examples of what Eastern Montana has to offer:
Explore the coastline of Fort Peck Lake Reservoir and Recreation Area which boast 1,520 miles of shoreline, that is longer than the coast of California!
Embark on the Pie a la Road Trip, where you can stop in at 20 different pie shops and decide which is the best.
Hit your limit while hunting and fishing in a landscape ready with a flourishing ecosystem.
Understand the night sky like never before while stargazing in one of the emerging astro-tourism landscapes known as the Trail to the Stars.
Outdoor Gear Innovations Might Be at an All-Time High
Every year innovations happen, but this year seems to hitting us with an all-time high in terms of innovative products. From the travel space to the overlanding world, product innovations are making our lives easier and allowing us to go further. A few of the best innovations I have recently gotten my hands on are:
Loft Gear: Is a brand new company by Caleb Crye that looks to overhaul the luggage world. While we can't say much about Crye's innovation, just be ready to put your gear in the dirt again! Launching this fall, Loft will change the industry with their Station 150 rolling duffle.
Guzzle H2O: There is no doubt in my mind that personal filters are great, but also a pain in the behind for groups. Luckily, Guzzle H2O fixed that with their carbon and LED filtration system that can provided clean, drinkable water for 40 people over 3 days.
Shiftpod: Seemingly from out of this world, a Shiftpod is an easy to use "tent" that reflects heat on hot days and keeps you cool during the winter months. With a variety of sizes, this tent innovation is one to get your hands on.
Food Over a Fire Never Tasted So Good
As the days wound down, we all sat arm-to-arm fireside either waiting on our food to cook over the fire, or drinking a Montucky Cold Snacks, or both. While the days reached into the high 80s, our beers were kept ice cold throughout the day in Canyon Coolers.
Each night we were delighted with stellar meal that took backcountry cooking to a whole new level. What did we eat? Only a menu fit for kings and queens. Below are each night's menu:
Night 1
Whole hog
Baked beans
Mac and cheese
Dinner salad
Corn bread muffins
Night 2
Skewers:
Montana beef heart with flathead cherry glaze
Roly poly coffee rubbed elk
Local bison tongue
Platters:
Local grass-fed beef skirt steak with huckleberry jus
Local bone marrow with fresh herb chimichurri
Fire roasted local honey glazed carrots
Ash roasted potatoes
Dessert:
Amaltheia dairy huckleberry panna cotta
Bear Awareness is No Joke
Growing up in California, we only have curious black bears that scamper away when you yell. That isn't the same when you are in Montana, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, or Wyoming. There you have grizzly bears.
Thankfully, we had Amber Kornak from US Fish and Wildlife teach us the details on the difference between black bears and brown bears, how to use bear spray (we actually got to shoot some as well, which was fun), and get hands on with skulls and furs of both types of bears.
TREAD
Tarps Might Be the Best Backcountry Tool
If you watched the History Channels show Alone season six, you might recognize the man in this photo above. His name is Jordan Jonas, aka @hobojordo, and he won season six after spending 77 days in the Arctic. Needless to say, this man knows how to survive in the woods and he taught us about the benefits of a tarp. Here is what he taught us to build:
An A-frame shelter
A bug proof shelter
A canoe (we didn't build one, but he walked us through it)
Needless to say, if you know a few knots and have a tarp, you might just find yourself surviving in the Arctic for 78 days.