I donāt typically take part in New Yearās Resolutions because you shouldnāt limit yourself to a new year to make changes in your life. If you discover an area where you need to grow on December 23rd, you should start on December 23rd. Thereās no reason to wait.
Having goals, is different. Year-long goals are a good measure of what you want to do in 365 days. You can also have shorter or longer term goals, like three month goals or 10 year goals.
Iām using the SMART Goals guideline to outline the things I want to do this year.
Specific ā What exactly will you do?
Measurable ā How will you know if you meet your goal?
Achievable ā What steps are you going to take to reach your goal?
Relevant ā What about your goal makes it important to you?
Timely ā When do you want to complete your goal?
Iāve decided to share my goals with you, so you can all hold me accountable. I plan to provide you with updates with my accomplishments. My hope is also that these goals will inspire you to develop some plans for 2019 as well.
Goal 1: Go on my first solo backpacking trip
I plan to go to Adobe Town Wilderness Study Area in Sweetwater County to complete this goal. I went there with my best friend for my birthday last year. I loved the landscape and saw some even cooler looking landscape off in the distance. We were car camping, so the far off land wasnāt accessible. I plan to park my vehicle at the end of the dirt road. From there Iāll hike south and backpack in Monument Valley.
I plan to get a one person backpacking tent to make traveling easier. About a month before my trip Iāll take my backpack out on the trail,Ā getting to the weight Iāll need for the trip. I will complete my goal this spring or summer.
Goal 2: Take a Wilderness First Aid course
Because I spend a lot of time in the outdoors, it’s important that I take the NOLS wilderness first aid course. Plus, Iām planning on getting involved in a program that requires this course (canāt reveal what it is yet). I plan to take the course in April.
Goal 3: Catch a fish on a fly rod
I got a fly rod last summer, but never caught a fish. Itās hard! Iāll try to get out to one of the many lakes around me or to the North Platte or Encampment River at least once a week. Iāll also let my boyfriend teach me more techniques that may help me. I want to complete this goal by July.
Goal 4: Updating this blog twice a week
I plan to update this blog with a weekly update on whatās happening to lands and conservation in Wyoming and US. I also want to publish posts that are a little more fun, like this one, on a weekly basis. Doing this helps me to connect and share whatās happening in Wyoming. I’m also invested in the lands in this state and want Wyomingās quietness to have a louder voice when it needs protection. Iāve already planned and written five other blog posts to get me started. As the year progresses Iāll continue writing and paying attention to the news around me.
Goal 5: Backpack the Encampment River Trail
I love this trail. It is my absolute favorite! But Iāve never hiked the whole 15 miles. I plan to change that this summer. Iāll do this with a group. Iāll prepare myself for this hike the same way Iāll prepare for backpacking in the Adobe Town Wilderness Study Area.
Goal 6: Hike a new trail in the Medicine Bow National Forest.
Two summers ago I worked hard to hike as many trails as possible in the Medicine Bow National Forest. While I knocked a few off my list and discovered some new favorites, I have several trails left to wander. I have a few trails in mind that Iād like to tackle. One is the trail to Medicine Bow Peak from Dipper Lake. Itās the least common route to the top, and the only one I havenāt done. Iām also interested in the Medicine Bow Rail Trail.
I have a guide book that is specific to the Medicine Bow National Forest, so Iāll use it to plan my adventures. These trips will take place sometime between July and September.
Longer term goals
One of my lifetime goals is to travel to every National Park in the United States. So far Iāve visited Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the Badlands National Parks. I have a long ways to go. Iām hoping to be able to visit Voyageurs National Park in August, but Iām not sure Iāll make it there this year. I donāt currently have a timeline of when Iād like to do this, but I would like to complete it by the age of 50.
Another lifetime goal is to hike to the highest point in every state. This one will be a bit harder because to do so, you have to figure out how to get through private property. To date Iāve only made it to the highest point in South Dakota, which is Black Elk Peak.
I have another highest peak goal, which is to get to the highest point in every county in Wyoming. Wyoming has a total of 23 counties, and I believe Iāve made it to the highest point in one. Thereās some debate over what is the highest peak in Albany County. Iāve heard itās either Medicine Bow Peak or Laramie Peak. The guidebook I have says Medicine Bow Peak has about mile of elevation on Laramie Peak. If anybody knows which is higher for sure, let me know! Medicine Bow Peak is 12,013 feet in elevation, for reference. I might make it to Bridger Peak this summer, which is the highest point in Carbon County at 10,950 feet.
