Breaking new ground- my recent backpack to the Rainbow Plateau in Northern Arizona was my longest and "lightest" backpack.This was a Sierra Club program, which I joined because it was early in the year and, in my grand plans, was practice for my trip to El Cocuy, in Colombia.
It proved that I could spend 7 days carrying 45+ pounds, and survive with very limited resources, in comfort and in happiness.
The passage of time effect - the "are were there yet" vs the"it's already Christmas" perception of time between children and grown ups appeared again. Every day was full of wonders- new things, new experiences and it felt as we had left Page (our staging point) a long time before. Seeing the petroglyphs, the Anazasi ruins ( we were one of very few "white" people that have seen these ruins), hiking the very narrow canyons, sometimes in deep water, coming down the slip rock or just seeing the magnificent landscape filled the days with wonder. Every day was filled with new and wonderful experiences.
The group worked very well together. It felt like camp- the first day we were all strangers trying to figure each one out - by the 8th day we were the best of friends and, at least for me, there was a very strong bond and sadness of leaving my 'old' friends. The three guide, Mike, Richard and Becky knew each other well. The 4 Canadian Doctors (2 of which were 70 years old!!) came together and Judy and Liza knew each other from Alaska and were doing this trip together. Jim, Collin, July, Marie and me were traveling independently.
To my question of why do we do this ( carry 40+ lbs for 8 days on our backs, sleep in uncomfortable environment, bathroom facilities lacking facilities, being hot, cold, wet, hungry) one of the answers that I liked was "Because it is there and because I can".
What did I learn?
- I need less
- I can do things that I thought I could not do
- I can learn
- Practice, practice, practice
- Do not clean pots with sand with your bare hands
There are other trails to travel- just like the bear that climbed the other mountain- he saw another mountain and - he climbed it.
