Editor,
I wanted to share with you the breathtaking weekend I had over spring break. I just arrived back from my rst trip with the UNM Wilderness Alliance. After only an hour drive on a brain-rattling dirt road into the desert, we arrived at Petaca Pinta country — a beautiful wilderness only 60 miles southwest of Albuquerque. Unfortunately this area is not yet a protected
wilderness, and that’s exactly what we gathered to discuss. The first night was bitterly cold, and I woke up at 2 a.m. with my feet frozen. Suddenly, I realized that I had an early morning visitor when I heard an animal chewing
and snorting, which I’m convinced was a Javelina; yet I was too terri ed and cold to move. The next day, we split into two groups and embarked to explore this spectacular redrock country. We encountered several pronghorns, stumbled across some ruins and experienced the amazing views of the surrounding mesas and mountains. The air was so fresh and the silence was very peaceful. As a New Englander, and a newcomer to New Mexico, this trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Being out in the wilderness like this was quite a rejuvenating experience. I was able to get my mind o the stress of school and work and really enjoy the wilderness. After a full-day hike of clambering around the volcanic rocks, we all headed back to camp to enjoy enchiladas which our trip leader, Nathan Newcomer, expertly prepared in the Dutch ovens. Bowl after bowl, I couldn’t get enough of the tastiest enchiladas I’ve ever had. I encourage everyone to participate in getting out in the wilderness and helping to protect New Mexico from threats such as mining, military use and development so that not only we can experience it, but also future generations.
Nick Schaefer
UNM student
