Page 18 - 2017 AMA Summer

location review
OUT WEST
Article by Henry Crosby
Ihave recently returned from an accompanied secondment to the US Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore, MD. In our 15-month posting Jo, my wife, and I aimed to get out into the great American
outdoors as much as possible, primarily by clocking up road miles travelling up and down the East Coast but also on a couple of trips out West. Our hope was to experience all we could and include as much climbing, backpacking, skiing and where possible Alpinism into weekends and leave periods over the 15 months.
For short trips we resorted to camping in order to enable us to do more trips but for longer trips interspersed bouts of camping with motels; avoiding the dodgiest, by and large! As a result we learnt a bit about some of the nuances of traveling and mountaineering out there. Here are a few top tips we thought useful for those planning holidays or expeditions to the USA (or indeed Canada). Some might resonate with peoples’ previous experiences but hopefully some will be new to others:
Plan early! We all try and fight JSATFA timelines and do things last minute but in the USA everyone books early. If you are late off the mark you might struggle to find accommodation etc. If you were planning on going to a National Park I would recommend starting the planning for this a year out. You don’t have to book that early but you do have to consider the timelines for booking and funding prior to that.
Interesting stuff requires backcountry permits. If you want to hike through the Grand Canyon or walk top down through the
Looking down from Angel’s landing. Zion NP, Utah
From sun to snow. Rock Mountain NP, Colorado
Virgin Narrows, for example, then you’ll need a backcountry permit. Each National Park administers them differently so check their websites...early! Also don’t rely on being able to email permits, some of the NPs love a good old fax machine or mail. If the permit is an online form then do expect it to crash due to the onslaught of people all trying to apply!
Think Bear! Protocols for preventing bears attacking campsites are routine. But if on a road trip not leaving a car unattended for a few nights with food in it can present logistical challenges.
Smaller than bears and not so easy to find are ticks. In the summer when camping and/or having been hiking, make sure you check yourself for this pesky little insect that can carry Lyme Disease. Make sure you pack tweezers to remove them safely and expect them to put up a struggle.
Rules is rules. Traditionally the British have a ‘healthy’ disdain for rules. Many Americans, especially those who might be gatekeepers to your permits have a more binary attitude to rules.
Ask for a military discount on everything. Sometimes it’ll work, sometimes they’ll just be for US forces. It’s worth asking but not begging!
16 ARMY MOUNTAINEER