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Field Program

[Image Description: Two MCC members taking a brief break; one is sitting on a rock, the other is standing nearby. They are both in their uniforms, looking out at the expansive, mountain view surrounding them.]

Afternoon Bear Bag Feast

A crew leader holds up a bottle of mayo, smiling at the camera.

My favorite part of digging tread in the backcountry was when we would take the bear bag down after a hard day’s work. The second we got back to camp, my crew and I would dump all our food out into a pile and feast. Our snacks consisted of hot Cheetos, bacon bits, gummy frogs, cookie butter, chocolate bars, tortillas, cheese, pepperoni, fruit leathers, and granola bars. The dumping of the bear bag not only filled our tummies, but it also filled our hearts, as it was a place for everyone to gather around and chat. Being in the backcountry for eight days really makes you miss constant access to food, showers, and civilization, but teaches us how to appreciate the simple things in life. I believe that my group and I really bonded with one another during this afternoon ritual and that I was given a different perspective on the value of everyday luxuries. When I am at home in my apartment, I cannot help but think about how lucky I am to be in a dry, warm home that is full of food and equipped with all the amenities to live a comfortable life. I think if everyone in the world got to experience an afternoon feasting on a pile of bear bag food, the world would be a better place.

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