9 minute read
JOB BOARD
we’re researching and doing our reports. The report summaries and narratives are kind of like storytelling. Why is this wilderness special, and what are the parts of it that you can’t measure with numbers? At Mount Rogers, I have been working on the baseline assessment, which is more straight up numbers and technical. This requires me to research with all the specialists at the district level, the forest level, and sometimes the regional level. I’m contacting the biologist because she would know what plants or animals are in this area. Then I’m talking to the fire manager and asking him did you do any prescribed burns near the wilderness? In my forest, I was also talking to the hydrologist because she would know about impaired water and the watershed nutrition class. At the regional level, there are air experts who would know about nitrogen, sulfur, and ozone. I gather all the data and talk to the specialists until I understand it and then write about it.
What was one of your favorite aspects of the job?
When the trail crew came back in the fall. Seeing other humans in person and knowing that we were all doing this sort of almost simple task of clearing trees out of the trail, there’s something almost pure about it. I really enjoy technical report writing but sometimes it gets a little cerebral. I think having this balance of being in nature, clearing trails so that people can walk is a really nice counterpart to this report writing that is mainly for future land managers.
What are some of the benefits of a temporary position like this?
A seasonal position like this year as a wilderness specialist is a fantastic introduction to the Forest Service and wilderness work, which can allow you to see if you enjoy the work and find it fulfilling as well as feel the culture of the workplace. The other benefit is if you don't have a background in land management or technical report writing, the season gives an amazing comprehensive experience for independent research, field work, technical writing, and communications across the Forest Service and partner organizations.
From your personal experience, what's the difference between hiking on a trail or in a park versus exploring a wilderness area?
A wilderness area is ideally a view of the most natural state of the area with as limited human influence as possible, whereas a park or non-wilderness trail might have heavy modification or changes to the environment to more benefit human recreation. I feel that a trail in a park is a great place to see other people while being in what is a sort of comfortable, curated nature, while a wilderness is where I am utterly immersed in nature. It's less about being around other people or getting that great photo
LEFT: KATHEEN PANGAN IN HER UNIFORM. COURTESY OF PANGAN. RIGHT: WILD PONIES ROAM THE WILDERNESS AREAS OF VIRGINIA'S HIGHEST PEAK. PHOTO BY ELLEN KANZINGER
and more about feeling that soul-deep truth of your identity as part of creation.
Do you have a favorite place within the wilderness you covered?
I really like Mount Rogers itself. It is popular since it’s the highest point in Virginia, so I feel like a good amount of people go up there. But I think that even though you’re seeing other humans, there’s something to, “I went to the top.” You feel good about it. You see these really interesting trees and the moss on the ground, and you feel like you’re somewhere totally different.
The other place I really like is Little Wilson Creek Trail. There’s only one trail in this wilderness that is hiker only. It’s really hard to access. When you get there, there’s not a lot of people and you feel like you’re really in the middle of nowhere in nature. There’s more solitude and peace within it.
What are your tips for navigating wilderness areas safely?
You want to go enjoy the outdoors and adventure but I feel like a lot of people I’ve met are lost. They didn’t have a map. They didn’t even know how to read a map. There’s no signal out here on your cell phone.
Figure out where you are on a map. I don’t know how many times I want to say map but… Know where you’re going. Make sure someone else knows where you’re at and you have a check in and check out time.
LOKI BASECAMP FALCON 8
LUNO AIR MATTRESS 2.0
BIOLITE FIREPIT COOKING KIT SNOW PEAK MILK BOTTLE
GET OUT OF HERE!
Quarantine is a memory. The country is open and ready for you. The road is calling. Here’s the gear you need to make that big trip into the new new normal even better.
BY DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN
WACACO NANOPRESSO BLACK SERIES HQ19
BALL AND BUCK PREMIUM WAXED COTTON HAT
Black Series
HQ19 Ready to go all in for life on the road? This classy, 19-foot home on wheels is ready for deep adventure with a suspension system that allows each tire to move independently, sucking up the hits of rough terrain. But the real selling point is the inside—a full kitchen with stove top, refrigerator, and microwave and a full bathroom with a shower and washing machine mean you really can live wherever you park it. Solar panels keep everything running away from hookup power. $63,995;
blackseriescamper.com
Loki Basecamp
Falcon 8 Loki, which made a name for itself converting shipping containers into structures, refers to this four-season slide-in unit for an 8-foot truck bed as an “adventure pod.” It’s certainly one high-end place to call home away from home, with all the amenities of any custom van inside and an advanced control system that includes dimmable LED lighting, diesel heating, air conditioning, and an isotherm refrigerator. $135,000;
lokibasecamp.com
in your vehicle that won’t require a mortgage? Do it the old-school way (with a touch of class). This durable air mattress inflates right in the back of your car or truck, providing you with a comfy bed no matter where you pull over. Best of all, it comes in two sections so that you and your sleeping partner can set the firmness according to your individual preferences. $280;
lunolife.com
Snow Peak
Milk Bottle No road trip is complete without that trusty drink bottle. This vacuum-insulated, stainless steel 500ml beauty will keep your iced drinks cool and your hot chocolate steamy while you keep your eyes on the road. $75; snowpeak.com
BioLite
FirePit Cooking Kit We have sung the praises of this smokeless, solar-powered fire pit and grill in the past. BioLite improved the system for cooking on the road with accessories that make it even better for preparing food: A griddle will heat up those flapjacks; a grill lid concentrates heat; and a tool kit helps you flip those steaks.
$360; bioliteenergy.com
frothed goodness to get you through no matter where you wake up? Weighing less than 1 pound and fitting in the palm of your hand this portable espresso maker provides an impressive pour, with 18 bars of stable pressure at your fingertips. $65;
www.wacaco.com
Ball and Buck
Premium Waxed Cotton Hat With a sense of old sportsman style, Massachusetts-based brand Ball and Buck brings a bit of class to your road trip lid. We love the waxed cotton which can endure a little precipitation and only feels better the more you wear it.
$48; ballandbuck.com
ENO KILI MAP DOUBLE NEST HAMMOCK
YETI CROSSROADS 60L DUFFEL ICEMULE 25L TRAVELER
VSSL JAVA COFFEE GRINDER GUZZLE H2O STREAM
Kili Map Double Nest Hammock A collaboration with Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit that builds Black connections and leadership in nature, this special version of ENO's popular hammock not only offers up the ideal spot to rest when you pull over, it reaffirms participation in the outdoors for populations that have been underserved and celebrates Outdoor Afro’s joyous Mount Kilimanjaro expedition. $80;
eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com
can withstand serious abuse. This roomy duffel can haul all the clothes and gear you need for that big summer road trip. Best of all, its smart design allows you to divide the bag into three compartments.
$250; yeti.com
Smith
Riptide The best sunglasses for the big trip not only protect your eyes from the glare of the sun but also look damn good doing so. The snazzy Riptide features scratch-proof lenses with Chroma Pop, enhancing color and easing the burden on your eyes on those long hauls. $259; smithoptics.com
DERMATONE MINERAL SPF50 NOTOUCH SUNSCREEN STICK
SMIITH RIPTIDE OTTERBOX FAST CHARGE STANDARD CAR CHARGING KIT
VSSL
Java Coffee Grinder Connoisseurs of the bean will appreciate this handy travel grinder. The durable, sleek, hand-powered machine offers 50 settings so that you can dial in the perfect grind for your morning necessity. $150;
vsslgear.com
OtterBox
Fast Charge Standard Car Charging Kit These days we know you are lost without your electronics, so keeping them juiced up while you are in transit is key. Designed to endure constant bending, this baby gets the job done 3.6 times faster than the standard cord. $35; otterbox.com
Icemule
25L Traveler Everyone loves a big hard cooler, but that beast takes up a lot of space in your vehicle. This 35L soft cooler is the answer—able to keep beverages and snacks handy during the drive and serving as the ideal picnic basket when you want to pull over. The big top opening makes everything inside easy to access on the go. $200;
icemulecoolers.com
Guzzle H2O
Stream Meet the best system we have tested for keeping your water supply clean and full on the road. This push-button filter will draw and purify water from a lake or stream or suspect sources in a campground. It provides an impressive 1.1 gallons per minute filtered through a carbon block that removes 99.99% of contaminants. $1,125;
guzzleh2o.com
Dermatone
Mineral SPF50 No-Touch Sunscreen Stick You often forget to apply that sunblock while you are driving. Don't make that mistake. This stick is easy to keep nearby in your vehicle and won’t get your hands greasy. $10;
