Bozeman, MT—Last week I had the opportunity to capture a glimpse of life in the backcountry with students participating in a Montana Wilderness School (MWS) expedition. Four teens and two instructors were on days 14 and 15 of what would be a 20 day trip in the field—hiking for over 100 miles, summiting several iconic peaks, and camping each night with bear spray close at hand (this area has one of the highest concentrations of grizzlies in the nation). Students were cooking their own meals, taking turns in leadership roles, and planning their route each day without the use of any electronic devices or cell phones. The also followed strict “Leave No Trace” principles to reduce their impact on the sensitive wilderness ecosystems.
