I stocked up on shoes- pretty good deals on altra and topo.

For Yellowstone specifically (and most national parks in the us), stock up before you go. You will find general stores without a ton of options for any diet. Ive never had an issue having enough to to eat,buying something like peanut butter, oatmeal, jelly. But produce will be expensive and you just wont have the options you want. Same with backpacking meals if you want them- the vegan ones will be more likely at an slc outdoor store than in yellowstone. Slc will be the best- and for some treats, check out Trader Joes in Slc. Lots of vegan options and great backpacking snacks.

It’s really something that depends and its a hassle. I’ve gone through the process twice now. Once (end of June) I was able to get a permit for the next day, the second time I had to wait 2 days to finally get an itinerary. Glacier has hiker sites so you wont be paying 60 bucks if you wait. For east glacier check far out if you are using it for a hiker friendly place to stay. An option I have not tried is reserving online, I don’t really know how it works, but if it is at all like canadas national park sites, planning could potentially take away some of the headache when you start.

Doing this section more or less (Yellowstone to Lander) this summer- I would start looking at elevation- can significantly slow you down and you will want to know what that is before you start planning your daily averages. All if this is pretty accessible to find on either apps like farout or caltopo. As the other poster stated, may is too early to be in the mountains. Grizzly wise- spring bears are extra hungry so something to be aware of. Perhaps look at a section hike that would be prime in may, like the AZT?

“Welcome to your authentic Indian experience” by Rebecca Roanhorse (maybe not true blue dystopia, but I would certainly enjoy this one with a high school class). Its been a while since I have read Ted Chiangs book of short stories- it’s definitely scifi but I feel like there was a dystopian one in there.

It’s lightweight and hard to find. Mine bent in shipping. Know someone who killed theirs riding through mud. I don’t think its a crazy thing to include in your repair kit.

I did touching spirit bear with 6th grade last year and they loved it- its got animals in it. Have also had fun with call of the wild for ‘animal’ books in 6th. I do the wife’s story in 7th, but 6th grade would be fine. Shifts perspective.

Incredible iven would be too young imo.

Get a marimo! no work really. You can even get it a hat.

Airlines usually charge a checked bag fee for a bike packed in a box. So far, several flights and trips and no problems with finding a place to reassemble upon arrival.

I didn’t put mine on my CV, but I mentioned it in my cover letter as some motivation for wanting to teach in the program and how that would impact my relationship and teaching approach with students. Like another said- the course itself is very different from the one I took. I don’t think anyone cared that I had IB experience, but I knew the vocabulary specific to IB and knew how to talk about it because I understood it from the student perspective and they cared about that.

I teach, my partner is a school counselor.

Same vacation and pay scale.

I teach myp and dp. My partner does significantly more work outside of school than me. A school counselors day is filled with planned lessons, groups, etc. and there is no dedicated prep time like I get as a teacher. In addition-and this was also a thing in the US- people don’t realize what school counselors do so many random duties are often assigned. Teachers would revolt, counselors just pile it onto their plate.

I carry a plastic sheet I use as a tarp. It’s a ground sheet, its a skirt (wrapped around me during hiking in a surprise blizzard once), its a clean place to eat lunch and stretch, and its the perfect size to cover bikes when we are sheltered in a tent or cafe while its raining. One of the most versatile things you can add to a pack.

Ill take some pictures today. Yep, most recent trip was a section of the TA!

I have one I want to sell but had not listed as I can’t ship until June. It needs to be seam sealed as the tape is coming off. Its got 2000ish miles, aside from the tape issue and some stretching its been well cared for. I was thinking I wanted 75 for it.

I think with a niche brand like that I would suggest ultralight gear trade here on reddit. For the inconvenience of having to go to the post office you save yourself the 50% commission and time on the shelf you would lose at a shop.

Happened to me bc my agent didn’t check where I lived- annoying. I had to resend and it set me back a month, but ultimately worked out fine.

Backpacking meals- just add hot water on the plane and wait. Lots of good vegan choices.

My partner did the open water course and i did a refresh course in Guam. We did private and it cost around 300 for the open water and add 75 for my refresher plus e- learning. With a group I think the whole thing including the class was 289 and that included a boat dive. Highly recommend.

My partner and I rode with tubes no problem. Only flat was from a literal sewing needle. No goatheads.

We are completely phone free including lunch and before and after school. On a recent field trip, the outdoors ed teacher said our group was the most engaged he had seen that year and that they actually seemed to like hanging out with one another (7th graders). I feel like not having phones has not only helped their engagement in class, but they actually act like kids and play and use their creativity during breaks. I dont think all schools will go this route but I would consider it a plus when looking for a new district.

On top of what others have said, its a matter of student private information being accessed outside the US (or at least that is my understanding when I looked into marking exams for SBAC or EdTPA abroad, it was a non starter.)

Out doing a section on the south island now, it has been vastly warmer than I anticipated and huts have always had room.

I have worn my sun hoody every day- the sun is violent. No tee-shirt needed.

I have been wearing pants every day- for sun protection. Up to you. Has probably helped with sandflies too- I cant imagine hiking in my rainpants. Didn’t bring shorts.

I have not needed my fleece. My puffy and rain jacket would have been fine.

Sandflies only really get you when you stop/in camp, not so bad when walking.

Is your school planning to send you to IB training? I found this valuable in understanding the rubric for assessment.

I appreciate the importance in keeping invasive species out! Ive gone through everything with alcohol wipes now as well as soaking my pack, but after a few thousand miles the pack looks something horrendous and I was worried.