Markian told us to divide the following between us: a stove, a pot, soup mix, a sleeping bag, and a tarp in case someone got hypothermic or sick. We were to also bring the following individual gear: water bottles, lunch food, cameras, sunscreen, a raincoat, and some extra propylene long underwear layers in case of bad weather. Well, it was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky, and being from sunny New Orleans, I took it upon myself to decide that a raincoat and extra layers were superfulous and to be disregarded. *ahem*. Knowing how these things happen in my life, it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what was to come. *smirk*. But I'll get to that later.

Becuse one tarp had to be taken down to pack (and it just happened to be mine), we had to move all of our belongings under the other tarp. (we did this because we weren't breaking camp that day -- we were going to stay another night). So anyway I noticed that Ally hadn't moved her stuff under the other tarp so I asked her why. She and Markian said she was going to stay there alone while the rest of us went on our peak climb because she was still feeling ill. Oh boy, I thought. Now they'll get to see just how slow I really am.

So we headed out, bushwacking our way for a good mile before we got to the base of the mountain (bushwacking is when you do not use a trail, instead, you make your own path -- like by wacking bushes). By the time we got there I was already physically exhausted. Someone suggested that I lead to set the pace, and I realized I was now the Ally of the group. Reluctantly I agreed, wanting to do what was best for the group.

So I lead the way, and we kept bushwacking up in horizontal paths, or what is known as "switchbacking". Switchbacking is much less tiring than going straight up the mountain and thus it conserves energy. But nonetheless I started stopping to catch my breath more and more. However, my group was wonderful about it and very supportive. They had so much patience with me even though I knew it was difficult for them to stop.

Things got even worse. I started seeing these yellow dots that would completely block out my vision. I'd stop until they went away then I would continue up. Travis was also having a lot of problems because of the altitude we were gaining so quickly. The climb was extremly arduous, but whenever I was having trouble, Trevor (who was in back of me) would push up my pack with his hands and it would be lighter. He and everyone else kept saying encouragements like "come on Jules, you can do it! We have total faith in you!"

After what seemed like a torturous eternity, we were standing on top of Bear Peak, looking down at the sublime scene below us and the awesome distance we had climbed. It was such an incredible feeling, very hard to describe in words. One thing's for sure, though, it is a serious, serious confidence booster. If I could do this, I could do anything!!!

On a rock on the peak there was a small glass bottle containing a signature of every person who had made that climb, which I would later find out was on virtually on every mountain top in the world. We all took turns writing our joyful comments. Then Markian bestowed upon us a treat -- we each got a handful of M&M's!! I couldn't have been any happier.

We had been up there for only about 10 minutes when Markian announces that we must begin our descent because the ominous clouds were a sign of trouble soon to come. I looked upward and couldn't believe my eyes. Two hours ago, the sky was perfectly clear with sunshine, and now it was totally black!! Then I gupled as I remembered..I had no raingear or extra layers!!! All I had was a cotton T-shirt (and cotton was the worst when wet, we had learned, for keeping your body warm) and the pair of shorts I had on. We began our descent, which I practically flew down with no difficulty. In fact, half the group couldn't keep up with me! Well, we got down about 1/2 mile when the storm hit. Markian yelled above the loud thunder for everyone to stop immediately and get out their layers of clothing. I sheepishly told him what I had done. He was not angry like I thought he would be. Instead, he calmly asked if anyone had any extra clothes I could wear and everyone offered something. I gratefully took the clothing, and since it was no time for modesty, we all changed right there.

After a ways of hiking down, the rain stopped as abruptly as it had started, and we had lunch on a flat spot. Then we continued down the skri (or loose pieces of unsteady rock). There were lots of minor falls & slips & stuff.

We came across a snowpatch and let the boys have their fun. Trevor dove head first into the snow & then got yelled at by Markian who said he might fall off the cliff or something. They threw snowballs at us and it was a fun time by all.

A few hours later we got back down to the campsite and lo and behold, there was Ally looking very content and rested. I asked her what she had done while we were gone and she said, no joke, "I plucked my eyebrows". She also told me she had been fooling with her makeup!! Her makeup!! She brought along makeup!! I couldn't believe it.

Markian said we had half an hour of free time. The girls sat around sunning ourselves at the stream. Lee & Trevor (who had quickly become good buds) went off bouldering and were totally psyched about it when they returned. Then we all ended up talking under the tarp for a while, thrilled that Markian and Sara momentarily seemed to have forgotten about us.

Finally they came and told us we were going to play a couple of trust games. We were told to grab a partner, and I immediately turned to Ally and asked her. One of us had to be blindfolded (I volunteered) and the other had to guide the person through a long obstacle course without using any verbal communication. We were supposed to invent a non-verbal code to communicate directions and whatnot. We decided that whenever Ally lifted my hand up, I had to step up. Whenever she squeezed my hand, I had to stoop low. There were others that I can't recall. It was funny and I couldn't stop giggling.

Next we did what is called a trust fall. We switched and Ally had to turn around with her back to me, and fall straight back without bending her knees and just let me catch her. She was apprehensive at first and kept starting then stopping, and bending her knees and so on, but eventually she took a chance and succeeded. Markian told me to move further back so she'd fall a greater distance. She eventually did this as well. Then we switched and I tried the same thing. It was really cool! After that, we had a group discussion on why trust was so crucial on the course, especially in rock climbing.

What a great seguay...what do you know, next began our rock climbing lessons. We were taught how to belay a person (feed them the ropes while they climbed and be prepared to brace for a fall), and when to take up rope for them. We learned the starting cues (belayer: "on belay!" climber:"climbing!" belayer: "climb!"). Then we practiced actual belaying, including the proper use of the right hand (or "brake hand") and its utmost importance of always gripping the rope at all times. We also made our own harnesses (!!!!!) from rope (!!!!!) and learned the knots for that. (Markian and Sara had real harnesses). Lee had beaucoup problems with the knots, and never did learn them properly.

Next we had topography school. Major map reading lessons. We learned about ridges, drainage, intermittent streams, and valleys. We learned the "distance formula" -- 1-2 miles an hour, add 1 hour for every 1,000 feet gained in elevation. It was pretty cool, and we took turns identifying feautures on the map.

That night, we reflected on that morning's peak climb and what each of us got out of it. It was hard to believe that we had only finished the third day!!!

Day Four


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You are outward bounder , sail on!