National Park After Dark Trail Tales 89
Mar 12, 2026
Tales of getting lost in Patagonia and awkward backcountry bathroom lessons. A hairy mountain wildlife scare that turns out to be a marmot. Conversations about carrying bear spray and being prepared. Stories of disability advocates, a deafblind climber training for Everest, and meeting a mythical park ranger named Pam. Quiet moments: finding a family name in caves and a healing night hike after a breakup.
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Pooping Nearly Got Me Lost In Patagonia
- Chloe nearly got lost in Patagonia after stepping away from camp to dig a cat hole at night with a near-stranger and an instructor who then led the group off course.
- The dense Patagonian forest has hidden sinkholes that swallowed group members, turning a basic backcountry task into a two-hour midnight search before headlamps were spotted.
Carry Bear Spray If It Makes You Safer
- Carrying bear spray is reasonable when permitted and increases comfort and enjoyment on hikes even if others mock you.
- Danielle and Cassie stress not letting online shaming stop you from preparations that make you feel safer in wildlife country.
Disability Advocates Made Parks More Accessible
- Kim Charlson from Perkins School for the Blind advocates for accessibility in parks, helping convert brochures into audio, braille, and large-print resources.
- Collaboration with the American Council of the Blind and NPS produced accessible materials at 15 California park sites and broader accessibility campaigns like tactile currency markings.