A Vast Frontier

Backpacking gives us access to a facet of the world that is not commonly seen, where nature remains untamed and mankind is a visitor.  Humanity is unique in its capacity to reshape the environment to be more suitable to its own needs, so there is something refreshing about a landscape that still presents us with hazards and challenges to which we must adapt and for which we must compensate in order to survive and maintain our comfort.  In these parts of the world where few have ever ventured, there is a glimpse of how it must have been to set out into new frontiers, into the unknown.

There is another frontier, of course, one far vaster and, some would say, more final.  No, this post is not going to be about space travel, although that is a topic on which I can pontificate at great length.  However, one of my favorite things about camping is that in these remote, backcountry locations, the stars that become visible to the naked eye are simply incredible.  Even in locations that are not especially remote, you can see sights, like the band of the Milky Way, that have been long obscured by the constant illumination of civilization.

Whether from the tops of mountains, or open fields, or through the branches of trees in a forest clearing, it’s worth taking a moment to turn your back on the warm glow of your fire and turn your eyes upwards towards the far-flung luminescence of the cosmos.  You don’t need elaborate telescopes to make out astonishing features, nor to be dazzled by the sheer profusion of celestial bodies that decorate the night sky.

If you’re not sure where a good place to see the stars might be, consider looking for places with a Dark Sky Certification.  These locations have met strict standards regarding ambient illumination in order to qualify for the official Certification, which indicates they are some of the darkest skies in the world.  From my research, there seems to be a Dark Sky region within a couple hours even from major cities, so if seeing the stars is something you would like to do, it might be worth seeking out adventures that take you to these places.

By the way, winter is a fantastic time for stargazing.  Not only is there a lot more darkness, but the colder air actually reduces atmospheric interference.  As if the magically transformed snowy landscapes weren’t sufficiently diverting, you can have an incredible canopy of stars as the counterpoint to that earthly beauty.