{"id":14999,"date":"2016-12-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-07T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=14999"},"modified":"2017-08-17T12:57:08","modified_gmt":"2017-08-17T19:57:08","slug":"one-brewerys-mission-protect-wilderness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/one-brewerys-mission-protect-wilderness","title":{"rendered":"One Brewery’s Mission to Protect the Wilderness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Portland brewery Base Camp mixes refreshing ales with a passion for the great outdoors in an effort to save them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ross Putnam, co-founder at Portland\u2019s Base Camp Brewing Company, knew what to expect when he joined the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) for an overland trip to the Owyhee Canyonlands<\/a> in November 2015. Comprising of more than 2\u00a0million acres of wilderness in Oregon\u2019s rugged southeastern corner, the Owyhee is known for stunning red rock formations, craggy canyons, and\u2014lacking paved roads, cell phone reception, and small towns in much of it\u2014an endless sense of isolation. \u201cThe land is unforgiving,\u201d Putnam says. \u201cThis is a true wilderness area, and you better be ready for it. It\u2019s not like you can call AAA.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ross Putnam<\/p><\/div>\n

The threat of rain cast a pall as the trip wound down. Even a brief drizzle, lasting no longer than one\u2019s morning shower, could wash out gravel roads and leave the crew stranded for days. Running low on supplies, the group made a deal: \u201cIf we start to hear some rain, it doesn\u2019t matter what time it is. We\u2019re getting out,\u201d Putnam recalls. \u201cIf you get stuck out there, you\u2019re walking 30 miles to get help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The rain never came; instead, Putnam remained awake, admiring one of the darkest night skies in the continental United States and watching what he calls \u201cthe most amazing star show of all-time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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A video posted by Owyhee Canyonlands (@owyheecanyonlands)<\/a> on