Backcountry Cheesecake Recipe

While filming the latest Caribou episode with the MeatEater crew, we took some time to whip up some dessert.  This is a great idea for those who travel the backcountry with a sweet tooth.

Click the link to check out my Backcountry Cheesecake Recipe photo essay.

Backcountry Food: Starbucks Instant Coffee

For those of you who enjoy coffee in the backcountry, you should try the Starbucks Via instant.  I don't normally support Starbucks as I can't justify paying that much for a cup of joe, but their instant coffee is an instant winner.  Lightweight, small, minimal packaging, fast(just add hot water) and best of all, a decent tasting cup of coffee.  Best of the instant varieties that I've tried.  I was able to find it at the local Safeway supermarket. 

Looking forward to a cup after camping with our 10 month old daughter in the land of the midnight sun.  It was her first time out in a tent and needless to say there wasn't much sleep happening.

A great addition to the backcountry menu.

Dad's Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage Experience

     I set my Dad up with the Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage vitamins and the Hydrate and Recover drink mix prior to the 2011 Colorado Rifle season.  Here is what he had to say about the product.

     My son, Janis suggested I try the Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage vitamins and Hydrate and Recover to help acclimate to the hunting altitude of Colorado. I do not think of myself as a “Wilderness Athlete”, but getting up the mountain the past several years for elk hunting had become more of a task every year. Since reaching the age of 60 it seems my body is in a conspiracy against me. I must watch what I eat and every body part seems to complain with aches and stiffness. No matter how much I trained for our annual elk hunt it was always tough and never enough for the tour.

     My real test came during the first rifle season. I began the Altitude Advantage vitamins while in Michigan about 30 days prior. Usually on arriving at 8000 ft. the first days are for acclimation. My approach has been to take it easy and drink a lot of water. This time I (we) began to hike the mountains and scout on the day of arrival. Of course it wasn’t easy, but I noticed a difference. I was surprised with how much energy I had. I was stopping less and going farther.

     I continued using the Altitude Advantage and Hydrate and Recover in camp. To my amazement I was able to negotiate the climbing with our group or by myself with much more stamina, improved breathing and less muscle fatigue. Training before the hunt and watching my caloric intake was key, but WA made a difference. I was able to keep up with my younger friend and youngest son who are 40-60 lbs. lighter than I and are more accustomed to the altitude.  " Keeping up " means I did not pass out and went all the way to the top at a reasonable pace. I was climbing 1,500 to 2,000 ft. for two days in a row with no major ill effects. Yes I had to ice my knees at night, but that’s a separate issue.

     I shot my elk on the first morning; this meant I would be glassing for the others in our party, early and late. The task required climbing up to surrounding ridge tops that permitted glassing across the valley to look for elk. Later I would report back to the group if I had spotted elk activity. Every climb was easier than the prior. The knees still hurt but I believe the WA gave me an edge. I continued this exercise to the last day of the hunt.

     Wilderness Athlete didn't make me Superman, but it did help to keep up and get over some personal challenges.

Shoot straight!!

Janis (Yanis) Putelis

Kalamazoo, MI .

My Dad and brother at 10,000 ft in the Colorado high country.

Caribou Adventure

Posted by Janis Putelis

I'm spending the summer in Alaska.  My wife Jennifer took a job in Fairbanks.  In our spare time we are trying to do as many adventures as possible.  I was invited along on a Dalton Hwy spring Caribou hunt.  Here is the basic rundown.  200 miles north of the Arctic circle, 9 hr drive from Fairbanks, North side of the Brooks range.  Hunters must be 5 miles off of Dalton Hwy before shooting.  No motorized vehicles allowed.

We left Fairbanks Friday morning and headed north on the Dalton Highway aka the Haul road.  We crossed  the mighty, yet still frozen Yukon River, passed the Arctic circle, through the town of Coldfoot, and over Atigun pass around dinner time.  Beating the darkness was done easily since it won't get fully dark again until sometime in late August.  

The following morning we packed our gear, strapped on our Cross Country skis, and headed due West to an imaginary line at 5 miles that would allow us to hunt.   

Atigun Pass

Brooks Range

Caribou tracks

Almost immediately we started seeing Caribou tracks and soon the Caribou themselves.  After setting camp and melting lots of snow for water, we took off to a high point to get a look around and plan a hunt for the morning.  That first day we saw close to 1,000 Caribou and were able to pick out the two main travel routes in the vicinity of our camp.  It was amazing to see such a migration.

Mountains as far as the eye could see.

Well worn.

The second morning, after a breakfast mixed with aerobics to get warm, we posted ourselves on a ridge that  

most of the Caribou seemed to be coming to.  We spotted our first group quickly and two hours later the group of eight were feeding right to us.  My cohorts, Andy and Dash, made three shots at 100 yards and we had three Caribou down.  As a non-resident, shooting a Caribou would've cost $400.  I decided to pass on pulling the trigger and just enjoyed the adventure.  It was Andy and Dash's first ever big game hunt and it was exciting to experience their process of becoming hunters.  I was glad to introduce two more to the sport.  

Looking north across the foothills to the coastal plains.  That is where the Caribou are heading to calve and spend the summer.

Last day of April and still frozen solid.

We took our time skinning, quartering and processing the meat for transport. To shave weight and save space we deboned the shoulders and ribs.  The Caribou were getting ready to shed their winter coats which made for a hairy mess.  We had to be super careful to keep the meat clean.  After a long day we decided it would be best to stay in the field one more night, get some rest and head out in the morning.

We were greeted by four inches of fresh our last morning in the field.

Lows around 0 deg and highs in the low 20's.  I lived in two layers of KUIU merino wool and my KUIU Spindrift jacket the whole trip. I added layers of the KUIU Guide jacket, Chugach jacket, and my Mountain Hardware down jacket accordingly, sometimes wearing all of it at once.  It was cold!

Packing up camp after three days of fun.

Packed up and ready for three miles out.  The Pulk sleds hauled our gear and Caribou meat very well.  In the foreground is my KUIU Icon 6000 pack loaded to gills.  At 60lbs. with extra gear strapped all over the outside, the Icon pack was still very comfortable and allowed me plenty of movement to kick and glide myself home.

Smooth sailing!  

The whole adventure was accomplished via a Honda Civic hatchback topped with a Yakima skybox.  By getting almost 40mpg, we did the trip for $100./ person.  

The highlight of the trip was our Wolverine encounters.  We spotted him the first day loping along the ridge the Caribou were favoring.  After closer inspection with our optics, we could see he was carrying the whole head of a Caribou.  Another hunter had been successful prior to our arrival and the Wolverine was doing clean up!  The evening after we killed, he came cruising along the frozen lake edge near our camp.  He would stop at every mound or spot where the snow had melted and mark his territory.  Every time he did this, he would eyeball the three visitors and then continue.  He definitely was not afraid of us.  To top it off, on our way out, two miles from our campsite, I look to the flank of the mountains and see a small black dot loping up a slope steep enough I would be scared to ski.  With my binoculars I confirm another Wolverine sighting and can't help to wonder where and what he's going to get himself into.

Boot care by Lowa

I had some issues last fall with my boots becoming wet in conditions that I felt did not warrant it.  I felt I had always taken care of my boots by rinsing them whenever possible and applying a few coats of Nikwax paste.  So when I still had wet boots, I went on a search for a better way.  I came across Lowa's boot care page on their website and I believe it's the simplest explanation of what it takes to really get the most out of our expensive footwear.  Check out this link for great boot care tips:  http://www.lowaboots.com/leathercare/

R2R2R Grand Canyon Hike Video

Here is the video from my Rim to Rim to Rim hike. 

Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon 50 Mile Day Hike

I had been talking with my good friend Dave Martin last fall in hunting camp about a hike he does in the Grand Canyon.  The group starts on the South Rim and hikes across to the North Rim and turns around and hikes back to the top of the South Rim all in one day (R2R2R).  Anything longer than 24hrs is considered just a two day hike in the Grand Canyon.  I have never done any really long hikes, marathons or anything like that but this trip sounded like something I wanted to take on.  I have lived in Arizona my whole life (35+ years) and have never been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  I have looked off of both rims but had never dropped off the top.  I made my mind up this was something I wanted to do and started training after hunting season was over on February 1st. 

I kept a log of my runs and hikes over the 3 months leading up to the trip.  My total was 215 miles.  I did two 20 miles hikes and a 30 mile hike.  Most weeks I would get in 20-25 miles for the week.  I had two hard training weeks where I was able to get in 40+ miles for the week.  All the training helped but nothing can prepare your body for a 50 mile hike with 20,000 + feet in elevation changes.

Here is my recap of the R2R2R

We all met inTusayan on the afternoon of April 29, 2011.  We got checked into the hotel and headed down to the conference room for a trip meeting.  The crew from Wilderness Athlete, Outdoorsmans & Western Hunter Magazine were there to give guidance and support for the hike.  Special thanks to Floyd Green, Chris Denham, Julie May, Coach Mark Paulsen and Jerod Fink for all the products, support and time you put into helping with this hike.  We all really appreciate everything you did.  Dave Martin started the meeting off by saying that he turned 50 last fall and he wanted to do a 50 mile hike while he is 50 years young.  The route they normally take is around 47 miles so Dave wanted to add another 3 miles to total 50 miles.  Nobody objected to much so the plan was set.  We planned to start hiking a little after midnight.  I left the meeting and headed to dinner.  After a quick dinner I loaded my backpack and laid out my clothes.  I got into bed at around 7:30 pm and tried to go to sleep.  My mind was racing even though I was very tired.  I finally fell asleep just before 10:00 pm and my alarm woke me from a deep sleep at 11:00 pm.  I ate a banana and a Wilderness Athlete Bar and drank some Hydrate & Recover mixed with Energy & Focus.  We loaded into the vehicles and headed to the Bright Angel Trail head.  We got to the Trail head a little after midnight and snapped a couple of pictures before starting down the South Rim at 12:30 pm.

Dave Martin giving his sales pitch for the extra 3 miles

Wilderness Athlete Goodies

The Wilderness Athlete Crew provided packs, hats, bars, gels, drink mixes and shirts for the hike.  Thank you!

Wilderness Athlete Founder Mark Paulsen jokes with Jeff Martin about his dye job.

Loading the essentials in my pack

Tony Leek, Jay Lopeman and I waiting in front of the hotel for our ride to the trail head

The R2R2R crew ready to get the trip started.

We started down the Bright Angel Trail at about 12:30 pm.  The dust was pretty bad for the first leg down to Indian Gardens.  I wore my headlamp and Kuiu neck gator pulled up over my nose and mouth to help with the dust.  Our first stop was Indian Gardens to fill up our water bottles.  After a quick fill up we headed across the East Tonto Trail over to the Kaibab Trail.  Once we reached the Kaibab Trail we turned towards Phantom Ranch. 

Quick water stop at Indian Gardens

Tunnel before Phantom Ranch

Bridge Crossing the Colorado River

We crossed the bridge over the Colorado River and could hear the roar of the water below.  Our next stop was at Phantom Ranch.  We arrived at Phantom Ranch at around 4:20 am.  We filled our water bottles and snacked.  We rested and ate for 15 minutes or so before hitting the trail again.  It was still dark as we left Phantom Ranch headed into a box canyon along Bright Angel Creek.  This part of the trail was relatively flat and we had around 7-8 miles to our next stop.  It was nice to be walking on a flat surface instead of going down hill.  As we broke out of the box canyon before Ribbon Falls it started to get light and I took off my headlamp.  We passed Ribbon Falls and Cottonwood Campground without stopping.  We stopped just before Roaring Springs to fill our water bottles, rest and grab a quick bite to eat before starting the long trek up the North Rim.

Water, Food & Rest at Phantom Ranch

Almost to Ribbon Falls

Looking back to the South Rim with no zoom

Looking back towards the South Rim zoomed in

Ribbon Falls

More water, rest & food just before Roaring Springs.  Next stop North Rim.

Jeff Martin filling up for the push up the North Rim

Starting the uphill climb to the North Rim

Roaring Springs

We started climbing uphill towards the North Rim.  Shortly after climbing out of the bottom we passed Roaring Springs.  The sight of the water rushing out of the rock face was amazing.  The climb from Roaring Springs through the Supai Tunnel was very beautiful and all uphill.  We reached the Supai Tunnel and had a couple more hard miles before reaching the North Rim.  I was feeling pretty good at this point.  I ate a Wilderness Athlete Gel at the tunnel to help get me to the top.  The last two miles seemed to take forever.

On the bridge before the Supai Tunnel

Richard Stewart & Dave Martin are all smiles headed up the North Rim.

Supai Tunnel

Looking back at the South Rim in front of the snow covered San Francisco Peaks.

Rest, water & food at the North Rim.

9.5 hours into the R2R2R we reach the North Rim.

Happy to be at the North Rim

We reached the top of the North Rim just after 10:00 am.  It took us around 9.5 hours to go around 26 miles and reach the North Rim.  We took some pictures, rested and ate.  We stayed at the North Rim for 15-20 minutes before starting the journey back to the South Rim.  I felt really good at this point and was ready for some downhill.  We strapped on our packs and started back to the South Rim.

Myself, Richard Stewart, Jeff Martin & Jacob Brown pose for a quick picture on the way down from the North Rim.

Supai Tunnel

Roaring Springs

We moved quickly down the North Rim stopping again by Roaring Springs for water, food and rest.  We made it back to Phantom Ranch around 3:00pm.  I sat down and rested and fueled my body.  My right ankle was really starting to hurt.  After sitting down for about ten minutes I got up to fill my water bladder and I was so stiff I could barely walk.  The guys were laughing at the way I was walking around.  I got some funny looks from some of the people staying at Phantom Ranch.  I am sure most of the people looking at me funny rode the mules to the bottom and had no idea how far we had come already and how far we still had left to go.  We packed up and started moving again towards the Colorado River.

Phantom Ranch

Bright Angel Creek

Our first look at the mighty Colorado River in the day light.

Crossing the Colorado River on the suspension bridge.

Our last look at the Colorado River before the climb to Indian Gardens.

We crossed the river on the suspension bridge.  The temperature was around 60 degrees as we started the climb out of the canyon towards Indian Gardens.  The climb up to Indian Gardens seemed to take a long time.  I just kept my head down and kept walking one step at a time.  My right ankle was really starting to hurt with every step.  We finally reached Indian Gardens.  I ate a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich, Wilderness Athlete Gel and popped 3 more Advil.  I filled my water bladder and tried to get my body moving again.  We left Indian Gardens and headed up the last 5 miles to the top of the South Rim.

The log and rock steps the last four miles were very hard to deal with.  The steps can be 12-18 inches tall and are spread out farther than you can step.  My ankle was really hurting and I would go around the steps whenever possible.  I usually walk 3-3.5 miles per hour.  Going up the South Rim it seemed like I was moving at a snails pace of 1 mile per hour.  I kept my head down and used my trekking poles as much as I could to help me climb up the South Rim.  Just as the sun set I reached a great view point looking back towards the North Rim and was able to take one last picture before it got dark.

Last picture before the sun went down looking at the North Rim in the distance.

Richard Stewart and I kept our heads down and pushed towards the top.  We reached one tunnel, then another.  Soon we could see the lights at the top of the South Rim.  We reached the top at 8:10 pm and snapped a couple of pictures at the Bright Angel Trail head sign.  Shortly after taking a couple of pictures my body began shivering from total exhaustion and being cold.  We quickly got into Dave Martin's truck with the heater on.  We made it!  We headed to Wendy's for some food then back to the hotel for some much needed rest.  The R2R2R hike was one of the hardest things I have done in my life.  I never once thought I was not going to complete the hike but it was very physically & mentally draining.  Our R2R2R hike lasted 19 hours and 40 minutes.

Back at the South Rim 19 hours and 40 minutes later.



The morning after breakfast.  10 of us completed the R2R2R and others hiked to Phantom Ranch and back.



Sweaty Wilderness Athlete hat from a long day.

 I  will be losing a few toe nails in the next few days.

Trip Notes
50 Miles in 19 Hours & 40 Minutes

 I want to thank my wife and family for putting up with my late night runs and weekend hikes trying to get in shape for the R2R2R.  Don't attempt the R2R2R without careful consideration.  The group I went with has done this trip many times and their knowledge and expertise played a major part in the success of our trip.  Thank you Dave Martin for letting me tag along on an adventure of a life time.  The sick thing is I am already thinking about next year and I still can't walk normally!  I kept track of the food that I ate and the calories I consumed during the R2R2R.  Total Calories 4,151

• Peanut Butter & Honey Bagel with 2 strips of bacon  (670)
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich   (400)
• Romen Noodles    (300)
• 2 Hard Boiled Eggs   (140)
• 2 Wilderness Athlete Bars   (380)
• Small Bean & Cheese Burrito  (225)
• Bag of Wheat Thins   (200)
• 3 Mini Snickers Bars  (240)
• 3 Mini Twix Bars  (240)
• 4 Wilderness Athlete Gels  (360)
• Nature Valley Fruit & Nut Bar  (140)
• 2 Packages Crystal Light drink mix  (60)
• Cashew Nuts  (160)
• Peanut M&Ms  (220)
• Beef Jerky  (70)
• 2 Wilderness Athlete Hydrate & Recover Packages (80)
• 1.5 Packages GU Brew  (210)
• 1 Cliff Shot Block  (33)
• .5 Wilderness Athlete Energy & Focus Package  (23)