2020 Backpacking Trip: Notch Lake - Day 1

A few weeks ago, the Girl & Her Backpack team hosted their first backpacking trip in the Uinta Mountains with ten girls ages 12-17. Though it was abruptly ended several hours early due to a wildfire, the friendships made during the trip by far exceeded our expectations. It was humbling to see how respectful, bright, and motivated each girl was in their own special ways. Below is a recount of the trip, we hope you enjoy! 

Day 1 

The trip started with counselors meeting at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City to set up medical waivers, welcome goodies, and gear and food stations. As each girl arrived, a counselor walked them through station by station to collect their gear and teach them how to properly pack a backpack and safely put the pack on. After each girl finished packing, we went over basic wilderness safety and Girl & Her Backpack community guidelines to ensure we all have a fun trip. Then, we hopped in designated counselor cars! 

Going through the motions of packing, each girl seemed a tad bit nervous and shy—who wouldn’t be when you don’t know anyone! However, as soon as we started the radio, each girl began dancing, singing, and talking like they had known each other for a life-time. It was magical. 

Upon arriving at the trail-head, we took our last “real” bathroom break, taught the girls how to do their business in the wilderness, covered each other in sunscreen and bug spray, then took off into the wild—a few of us (the counselors) tipping over from the heaviness of our packs :) 

After arriving at our campsite, Girl & Her Backpack counselors assisted the girls in setting up their tents, collecting firewood, and taught them how to make a fire. For dinner, we had Backpacker’s Pantry meals (all of the girls loved it!) in our GSI mess kits and for dessert we each had several s’mores.

While enjoying our delicious s’mores, we played a game called “Fears in a Hat”. Each girl anonymously wrote their biggest fear or insecurity on a piece of paper and threw it into a baseball cap. We then each passed the cap around the campfire, pulling out a fear one by one and providing advice. Each girl was kind and insightful. 

After a long day of hiking, laughs, and learning new things, we crawled into our cozy Klymit sleeping bags and knocked out!