Oliver Blain on Camping and Backpacking in the High Country

Picture on the trail at Philmont Scout Ranch. Photo Credit: Oliver Blain. “There were thousands of trails at Philmont,” Said Oliver Blain. “I had an amazing time exploring all of them and getting to spend time with my scout group.” 

Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

Eastern Tennessee, the bottom of the Shenandoah, and the Blue Ridge Parkway are all world-class places to camp and backpack. All of these amazing locations are at most an hour and a half from Boone. Because of this proximity, backpacking and camping are popular outdoor pastimes among locals, particularly high school students. Watauga students are able to participate in everything from a casual weekend camping trip on the parkway to multi-week backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail due to the unique environment of the area. Backpacking provides students with a unique, accessible activity to participate in year-round.

Oliver Blain, a junior at the high school, is an avid camper and backpacker. Blain has participated in the local chapter of the Boy Scouts, a program that has allowed him to participate in various types of outdoor activities. A specific trip with the Boy Scouts sparked his passion for backpacking.  

“My stepdad started getting involved in our troop just a few years ago, and he decided to take a group of kids backpacking,” said Blain. “It was just a small group, but it was all my closest friends. That sparked it because it was just a lack of good gear, a lack of everything, and we all just went with it. No knowledge, basically, and it was an awesome experience.”

Blain emphasized that the lack of proper gear or knowledge about backpacking made the trip more exciting. He said that people spend too much time and money on gear and miss the enjoyment that comes with the adventure of not being prepared.  

With the Boy Scouts, Blain was able to take a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, a legendary outdoor backpacking ranch that encompasses almost the entirety of Colfax County, NM. Philmont is unique because of its size and variety in geography, with the property starting in the New Mexico desert and ending in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Blain said that this unique geography elevated the experience of the camp.

“Hands down, the best place I’ve backpacked or camped was Philmont Scout Range in New Mexico,” said Blain. “It was so cool going from the desert to the mountains. I also got to celebrate my birthday on the trail. Some of our “scouts,” the people leading our trip, brought pound cake in their packs, and I got to celebrate my birthday with this group I’d been hiking with. It was awesome.”

In addition to trips in New Mexico, Blain spends a lot of his free time hiking and backpacking locally. Although Blain acknowledges the numerous high-quality areas, one in particular stands out as his favorite.

“Locally, definitely Grayson Highlands,” said Blain. “It's such a cool area, very unique, and there are so many different hikes and different terrain within a small-ish area.  It’s awesome to camp at.”

Blain emphasized that his connection to nature was why he continues to backpack and camp. For Blain, hiking, backpacking, and camping function as an escape from everyday life. Camping culture in the high country creates a unique community for those looking to escape and enjoy nature. 

“ If you are unsure about backpacking, just get out there,” said Blain. “Be unprepared, and let yourself have fun.”