Spring break is a great opportunity to explore Oregon’s natural wonders. With no classes or tests to worry about, backpacking is a great outdoor activity to take part in. Whether you’ve never carried 30 to 60 pounds on your back or you can go days without eating, trails across Oregon accommodate everyone.
One of the biggest challenges for students is acquiring the appropriate gear. Fears of high cost may prevent many newcomers from actually backpacking, but fortunately, students at the University of Oregon have the Outdoor Program.
Everything you need to backpack is available for rent through the Outdoor Program. Emma Juth, a student staff  member with the program, started backpacking recently.
“The stuff we have here is pretty inexpensive to rent,” said Juth. “Student staff is always here to answer questions like how to use certain gear or how to pack a pack.”
The McKenzie River Trail is a good place to backpack for the first time. However, if desired, the level of difficulty can be altered.
“If you can logistically manage to shuttle it correctly, you can either do where you’re gaining elevation or losing elevation,” Halley Anderson, a second-year student working with the Outdoor Program said.
Anderson also mentions that increasing the level of difficulty can be done just by extending the trail’s length. Three Fingered Jack, North Umpqua Trail, The Sisters and the Pacific Crest Trail are all tougher trails that are a little further away than the McKenzie Trail.
Backpacking is meant to be a challenge, but the reward comes naturally.
“It’s a fun, physical challenge carrying everything you need, so you can make it days and days in the wilderness just on foot,” said Anderson. “Having that solitude and having that experience with the natural world is really great.”
“You carry what you need. You don’t need your phone, your laptop, you disconnect from those things that maybe distract you and just focus on the beauty of nature,” said Juth.
Follow Mike Mendoza on Twitter @MikeWheresIke