Scenic views, fulfillment from a hard day's work, and the serenity of a night out under the stars... who doesn't want that? Well, these days its not so easy to attain without strapping on a 40 lb. pack, filtering your own water, and trekking your way down a trail. Nick and Tyler share how wilderness backpacking has been a spiritual experience that invites one into a deeper interior life.  One can't help but lose a sense of self-importance when standing in awe of nature. "The mountains are calling" and a spiritual experience awaits you. As always, don't forget your Protein Puck!
The inspiration for this conversation comes from a book Tyler started reading called Backpacking With The Saints, by Belden C. Lane. Check out this passage:
“Exposure to the harsh realities and fierce beauties of a world not aimed at my comfort has a way of cutting through the self-absorption of my life. The uncontrolled mystery of nature puts my ego in check and invites the soul back (in more than one way) to the ground of its being. It elicits the soul’s deepest desire, enforces a rigorous discipline, and demands a life marked by activism and resistance. It reminds me that spiritual practice -- far from being anything ethereal -- is a highly tactile, embodied, and visceral affair” (p. 4).
Backpacking can seem like a very expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. Find used gear and see what essentials you can be without next time you go. Here is a pretty exhaustive backpacking list.
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