The Aftermath

I made my way home and crashed. For a few days of inexplicable fatigue and a weird rash on my arm, I figured it was "re-entry syndrome" which often plagues post wilderness travellers. And then like clockwork, on day 5 I started having cold/flu symptoms. I tested negative for Covid, but whatever respiratory illness it was hit me like a freight train leaving a lingering cough in its wake. I rested, I quarantined, my husband making sure I was keeping up with meals, hydration, meds and pushing me to move around once I started feeling better. We waited an extra week for my husband to get sick, but nope ... he was perky and feeling good.

I finally started riding Q after a long rest and found that my dragon had emerged. We had some pretty disastrous rides, with him bouncing all over like a mad energizer bunny. He wanted to gallop everything, with big bold spooks at every stride. I kept shutting him down, and he kept getting frustrated.

Finally, I cleared a day on my calendar and decided to take whatever time it would take to have an enjoyable ride. We started with some lunging over poles where we had much fun celebrating his bounciness. Five minutes later, the game got dull so I saddled up and headed out. Sure enough, on the one day where time was of zero consequence, he needed almost zero management. The next day, the temperature dropped and the rainclouds emerged, and he was bouncy again. We trotted the daylights out of the trail network. The next day, he was back to his old glorious self.

I packed a camp chair and went to sit with him in the wild grass as he enjoyed his freedom.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip, and I am in the midst of preparing the next adventure (Patagonia!). I did capture a few lessons learned for those considering the stretch of their comfort zone, and as a reminder to myself when I start packing again.

Outfitter Selection

It's hard to qualify outfitters without qualified opinions. Unfortunately the internet is littered with reviews from customers of all experience levels, so the major review platforms are not helpful. Some of the package operators (Hidden Trails, Ride Away) do an adequate job in outfitter selection, but nothing beats an onsite visit. My trip in 2019 showed me the quality horsemanship that this outfitter provided, and it was a key decision criteria for me. The horses are outstanding, well trained, well fed, with properly fit tack.

In the future, I will look to my growing group of intrepid travellers for recommendations, or opt for low-commitment rides to test the outfit. Pay attention to expeditions that say "beginners welcome", or no experience necessary (it may still be nice, but you may be bored). And pay attention to their screening process and the types of questions asked (beyond the basic height/weight, riding ability). Some good questions I have seen include:

- can you mount from the ground?

- can you tack your own horse?

- can you dismount from the right?

- can you jump small obstacles?

Preparation Pays

I took 6 weeks to physically prepare for this trip, including cardio/weight training, and a significant increase in saddle time. I also bought some extra gear and used it during those weeks. I rode in the gear I was planning to bring and decided to eliminate certain items as a result of chafing or rubbing. I spent lots of time mounting from the ground.

Because of the preparation, I was able to reduce my reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs (although I still took my fair share in the final days) or painkillers. I was also able to follow the group and lead the speed on every day. In fact, speed was not my issue. But the physical monotony and agony of walking for hours on very technical rides was killer. As was the mounting up to 8 times a day.

The Physical / Mental Divide

I left thinking the hardship would be physical. Whether the camping, lack of washing facilities, or the sheer hours in the saddle. I was wrong. The biggest hardship was mental. After days of following others, the psychological challenge of the high risk riding, on day #8 I almost had a breakdown. Perhaps it was knowing the end was near, the release of the adrenaline, or my hurt feelings ...  I ended up retreating to my tent for an afternoon nap, and took myself on a nature walk to clear my thoughts. The tears came and went, and I ventured onwards to finish the trip with the same energy and enthusiasm I started with.

I am happy I was able to redirect my attitude and enjoy my final days. 

Gear Matters

I had some great gear leftover from my 250 km walk through France in 2010, and this year I picked up a few more critical assets. My new oilskin jacket from Outback is amazing. Tons of pockets, and paired with my new Outback vest, can take quite the variation in temperature. I expect to rely on these new items as my everyday go-to but I am also comforted to note that they need to be with me on future expeditions. My deerskin winter gloves with liners also came in super handy.

I took very few clothing items (2 breeches, 3 sun shirts) and I had enough. It was weird to wear the same clothes everyday for days on end ... but I got used to it. Towards the end of the trip it was hard to distinguish my clean from dirty underwear, so I probably need a better solution like a laundry bag.

I also should have had long underwear for those cold evenings and nights. I often would cut my evening socializing short because I was too cold to be out in the wind immobile in a camping chair. And with the current drought in Alberta, we had no campfire.

The outfitter also loaned me a full length oilskin that I rolled and tied to my saddle. Although we never needed it for our riding times, I ended up using it every night in the tent as extra cover and insulation. I might have to buy me one of these if I start taking expeditions seriously.

Since our gear was packed in big waterproof expedition bags (think big duffle bags), I was happy to have all of my extra large ziplocks to collect all my little gear (one bag for electronics, one bag for cleaning supplies, one bag for sleeping supplies) instead of it floating around. I also really enjoyed the sleeping bag liner that came with the sleeping bag. Not sure if a mummy sleeping bag is the right fit for me as I toss and turn a lot, but I know it helps with heat retention which was an issue on this trip.

Hydration and Electrolytes

I consumed plenty of water, but it became clear by Day #3 that I needed to be drinking electrolytes on the regular. The dry weather kept us clean (no sweat) but left us parched. I started noticing headaches and muscle aches in the morning. I ended up finishing the 8 packs of electrolytes before the week was over. On our biggest days I would have a big bottle of water and a big bottle of electrolytes water with me that I would sip throughout. I felt great by the end of the day. Game changer.

Going Solo 

Many of my friends were surprised I would do this trip alone. First, my husband doesn't ride so that was never an option. And I'm always concerned about subjecting someone to this level of discomfort without their full knowledge/support. On my previous experiences, I usually end up making a bunch of new friends from around the world that love horse expeditions and have tons of stories to tell. We have so much in common. Adventuring is contagious.

In retrospect, Im glad I did it alone. There were times that I could have fallen into a pit of complaining despair had I had someone that I knew would listen. And it would have been hard on me if my travel companion was the one in the pit of despair.

Going solo helps me be more open to meeting new people. Without the crutch of a friend, I put myself out there and end up having a more sociable experience as a result. With international travel, language or culture barriers can make things more challenging. But with time, effort, and a little luck, you can discover some wonderful people.

Soap is overrated

I thought 6 days without showers or soap would be difficult. Nope. It was the easiest part of the trip. I did bring some body wipes to clean up the dust before bedtime, and that was plenty. And those antibacterial gels we have been using for 2 years? Yep, they do great job cleaning up throughout the day although my fingernails were almost permanently black.

So, I 10/10 recommend to anybody who would like to try something different. Horsebackriding experience, beyond the WTC basics, are not necessary. But an adventurous spirit is table stakes.