Derek Pettie, Author at Home on the Trail

My One Pound Vice — A Backpacking Camp Chair

A camp chair had been simmering on my back burner to purchase for some time. The old school blue foam butt-pad is a weight saver and does take the edge off the bum from rocks, downed trees, and stumps. But, sometimes you end up at a camp where there isn’t a suitable seat for your derriere. When my fiancee said she was buying one to take on our honeymoon treks in Peru, I decided to reevaluate the pound it would add to my pack. At the outdoor store we sat in all of the backpacking chairs. I felt like Goldilocks.…

Cheesy Bulgur — Breakfast of Champions

Shortly after my first cup of coffee, the lingering effects of a hearty dinner faded away to the inevitable morning hunger. My brother and I were looking at a long stretch over arid, dusty trails on the Three Sisters Loop with a To Be Decided campsite for the night. It was definitely the morning to whip up a filling favorite: cheesy bulgur. It might not get you on the front of a cereal box, but as my Dad was famous for saying, “it’ll stick to your ribs.” As you’ve likely guessed bulgur (cracked wheat) and cheese are the base, but…

Go Ahead, Back That Plan Up

Repeat after me: I will prepare a backup plan for my next backpacking trip… and once more for the people in the back, I will prepare a backup plan for my next backpacking trip. But, seriously have an alternate expedition planned and ready to go. I’ve changed destinations the day before, day of, and even enroute. There are many complications that may waylay your best laid plans; weather, road closures, trail closures, snowpack, uncrossable waterways, fires, or in 2020 massive smoke clouds covering the entire western US. The far-reaching, wildfire induced haze set in motion my bail out of the…

Mountain Masala – A Tasty Tikka Fit for a Pika

Strolling a half mile past our unmarked junction on a long day one of six backpacking through the Wallowas was not ideal. The final mile and three-quarters to camp was a burly climb. With the temperature dropping precipitously it made for a mentally and physically taxing last stretch. While the gorgeous setting of Hidden Lake backdropped by jagged peaks dulled the weariness, a hot meal was the kicker to put our fatigue induced crankiness to rest. And when that meal is homemade Tikka Masala it’s next level soothing. Tikka Masala is a popular backpacking dish and you’ll find numerous recipes…

So You Didn’t Win The Lottery — Your Second Chance for the Enchantments

Most years I feel I have a better chance of winning the Powerball than the Enchantments Wilderness Permit lottery. A number of times I’ve pondered attempting to go with a day of walkup permit, but hadn’t seized the gumption to do so. Instead, opting for other non-permitted hikes each time. 2019 was no exception to losing the elusive sweepstakes; despite my wife, my brother, and a friend all rolling the dice. My wife was hell bent on going the walkup route and her persistence paid off for us. For 2020, walkups permits are suspended at the Leavenworth Ranger Station, due…

To the Hills! — The Wild Rogue Loop

We resisted the urge to hit the trail longer than I expected to or thought I could, but my wife Amanda and I had to head to the woods. But, how the heck do you plan a backpacking trip during a pandemic? Our criteria for this trip was a 3-4 day trek, moderate difficulty, and minimal other hikers. Most outlets for info on trail conditions were lacking. Being an early season trip, with higher elevations snowed in, we chose the obvious path and headed to Southern Oregon. Memorial Day weekend is always a high probability of crowded trails, so we…

How the Heck Do You Plan a Backpacking Trip During a Pandemic?

“Damn!” I shouted. My wife stood tall, startled. She thought something terrible had happened, as I rarely raise my voice. She asked, “what’s wrong?” “The maps! we’ve got to get to Fedex before 6.” It was 5:40. With ranger stations closed due to the pandemic and none of the local outdoor stores with curbside pickup carrying the map, I had to meticulously craft my own online. I certainly wasn’t going to head out of town without them. We grabbed the last of our gear, double checked our lists and made it to Fedex just in time. That’s a solid snapshot…