Ryan Murphy
Wilderness Ranger Fellow
Hitch 5: Elk Summit | August 3-8, 2023
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
The burn area within the old growth cedar forest. The photo does not do the size of these trees justice. Photo by: Ryan Murphy
Many miles and many cuts later the season has come to a close. It feels like just yesterday that I put my pack on and picked up some tools for the first time. My name is Ryan Murphy and I am from New Jersey, which is quite the opposite of a wilderness area in Montana/Idaho. I graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism in May and drove straight to Missoula only days later. Four hitches later and I am standing at the trailhead ready to embark on “the hitch” of all hitches, as my crew leader Connor had referred to it all season. In fact, I think it was one of the first things he said to us when we met him: “I have laid out the hitches so that we are in good enough shape to be able to attempt the last one.”
The author approaching Maple Lake to make camp on our fourth day. Photo by: Connor Adams
Because of the nature of the forest I worked in, we did lots of campsite monitoring all summer. Campsite monitoring refers to filling out forms to accurately track the degradation or naturalization of an area where people camp. This is an appreciated break from the monotony of trail work, however, this does mean that my crew had to cover lots of miles on trails that we did not have the time to clear.
For example, on day two of hitch five, we hiked 24 miles with our day packs to monitor two campsites. Believe it or not, this was one of the less taxing days of hitch five. Besides the expected chafing everything else went very smoothly. It didn’t rain on us, the trail was relatively clear, and the trail followed a creek that runs through an old-growth cedar forest, so it was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately part of it had burned in 2018, but it is still my favorite place in the forest so far.
Some old trail dogs showing us how it is done. Connor Adams and a celebrity appearance from our very own Josh Page (SBFC Program Director). Photo by Ryan Murphy
The hardest day of hitch five was on day five. My crew member Olivia and I hiked 16 miles on a so-called “trail” to monitor some campsites. This trail must've been cleared 10 years ago and not since. We climbed over, under, and around 2,014 trees. Thirteen hours and 16 miles later we returned to camp to see Connor kicked back in a chair reading a book. Turns out he knew how rough that day was going to be and sent us not because he was being lazy but because he wanted to show us what we were capable of. All season he would say that you are 10 times more capable than you think you are and this was his final way of showing it.
Overall this season has taught me to be confident in myself and to lean into the hard work rather than shying away from it because nothing will force you to look inward more than climbing over downed trees all day in the rain.
RYAN MURPHY
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
University of Utah
Major: Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Ryan grew up in Fairfield, New Jersey far from the outdoors. He had little work experience before joining SBFC but has always been passionate about the environment. Growing up he would take annual ski trips to Colorado and summer trips to Wyoming. This sparked his interest in all things outdoors and eventually landed him at the University of Utah. With his Parks, Recreation, and Tourism major he hopes to continue exploring the country and serving the environment in every way he can.