Samuel Phelps
Wilderness Ranger Fellow
Hitches 1-3, June 2024
Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness
I have been lucky enough to be in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness for each hitch so far. Though the Frank, as we refer to it, has proven to be quite difficult, I have grown very fond of the area, especially the region in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. I have been thrown a handful of different challenges in the training hitch, as well as the in the two full hitches that I have been on. I am thankful for each of these challenges, and looking back on them at the halfway point in the season, I realize all that I have learned about myself.
An unsuccessful attempt to save the boots.
On the training hitch, which was my first multi-day backpacking/hiking trip ever, both of my boots blew out on the first day of working. I was so excited about working, being in a new and unfamiliar place, and in complete awe of beauty like I had never witnessed, that I did not realize I had a blowout in my right boot until the left one was half apart and I tripped on it. My Crocs were a lifesaver after having to double as my creek crossers and hiking boots. I continued the hitch, covering about 2-3 miles a day in the high desert climate and rock slides while working...in the Crocs. Here, I learned the importance of adaptability and doing the best I could with what I had available.
Ryan’s surprise visit. (Left to right: Caroline, Nate, Colby, Ryan, myself)
The next hitch was by far the toughest for me to date. I had a brand new pair of boots fresh from REI that had never seen dirt, a very heavy pack, and an excitement to get back to work in the wilderness. Those things were met with a 3.5 mile hike uphill, leading to a camp in a scorching hot burn area with no shade, and by the time Day 4 rolled around, I was greeted with a lovely two-mile hike to the work site that was 2000 feet lower in elevation than camp. And of course, back up that hill we went at the end of each work day. My home state of Louisiana is FLAT, and my body - being unconditioned to elevation changes - was exhausted. The physicality of long work hours in the sun, blisters, and sore muscles gave way to a mental battle only halfway through the trip. I toiled with a severe lack of motivation for a few days, until one morning I heard a voice in camp that was familiar, but wasn’t one of the crew. Our amazing Executive Director, Ryan, showed up unannounced at our camp at 7 am. Just seeing him and knowing the time and effort it took him to get to such a remote location so early was uplifting, as was the fact that he worked willingly alongside us, and...he brought snacks. This surprise visit gave us all a huge morale boost and helped us get through the remainder of the hitch. Here I learned a small lesson in mental toughness, how to push through hard things, and how much showing up for others can mean.
Nathan and I getting some affection from the packer’s dog, Shep. (I just got licked across the face)
Through facing these challenges and much adjustment to being out of my comfort zone, I have learned so many things, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is to reflect. The wilderness is a tough place, but it is also one of unsurpassed beauty, and it offers the ability to learn about one’s self while enjoying this beauty. I am grateful for this opportunity, the lessons I have learned thus far, and the personal growth, for the better, that I have had and will have this season.
To close with a quote, always remember: “Keep it wild, green, and clean while living in a wilderness dream.” - Bryan Parker, US Forest Service Wilderness Ranger, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Samuel’s love for the outdoors started with hunting and fishing at a young age. As he got older, the labor side of preparing for upcoming seasons and occasional farm work fueled his passion and interest in conservation and land stewardship. Majoring in Marine Science and planning to continue his education in Forestry: Wildlife Habitat Management, Sammy desires to use his knowledge and experience to have a career conserving the beauty of nature. In his free time, Samuel enjoys hunting, fishing, and outdoor photography. He wants to use his time at SBFC to develop his outdoor skills and become a well-rounded advocate for the preservation of nature.