During Thanksgiving week eight people from the Moscow area chose to avoid the hustle and bustle of the holiday, and spent the week backpacking in the Utah desert.
The group didn’t miss out on all the traditions though said Trevor Fulton of the University of Idaho Outdoor Program.
“Having a potluck Thanksgiving dinner under a huge arch in the starlight was a definite highlight,” Fulton said.
He said the group had a “big potluck, backpacker-style,” including potatoes, turkey, stuffing and dessert. He said they like to keep Thanksgiving traditions alive for this trip.
The main goal of the trip is to cater to those who are not able to go home for break and would like an alternative.
“We have run variations of this trip many times in the past,” Fulton said. “We like to vary the location but Thanksgiving in the Utah desert is kind of a tradition at the UI Outdoor Program.”
This year the group went to the Escalante country in southern Utah. They hiked through canyons toward the Escalante River and explored slot canyons in the area.
“The geology and history is amazing in canyon country and there is abundant evidence of pre-history people using the area and lots of geologic wonders like arches and huge polished walls,” Fulton said.
He said the mix of attendees made the trip even better.
“Undergrads, graduate students, staff, doctorate student, WSU student, community member — really neat mix, all in all a wonderful trip with everything you could ask for,” Fulton said.
The long van ride gave the group plenty of time to get to know one another, and Fulton said everyone seemed to have a great trip.
“It’s fun to get a good group who gets along and has a good time together,” Fulton said.
While many were at home braving snow or other bad weather, Fulton said the elements weren’t a factor this year in the desert.
“We had just a sprinkle one night, highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s,” Fulton said. “Most days were sunny and very comfortable in a T-shirt.”
He said he has gone on this trip many times and plans to do it again because it is much better than the alternative.
“Definitely beats cooking turkey and Black Friday, any day,” Fulton said.