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You are outward bounder
"Though much is taken, much abides; and though
we are not now that strength which in old days
moved earth and heaven, that which we are,
we are --
One equal temper of heroic hearts
made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Ulysses
"To those who seek to adopt the precept of Outward Bound founder Kurt Hahn, one would like to stress that behind all his practices there was a passionate concern that youngsters should not only survive the experiences, but that they should emerge strengthened."
-- Jim Hogan, First Warden, Aberdovey Outward Bound School
Sara met us at our campsite that morning and rejoined us (without Travis). Since we had such a hard hike the day before, we were told by Markian that we would have an Easier Day. Looking back I realize that no day of my course was an Easy Day. The first four miles were awesome. I was gaining strength and endurance with every day that passed. Then we came to this mountain pass and Markian told us that once we got over it, we'd be finished. But Lord was this pass was challenging with those extra heavy packs. It was very, very long, and very, very steep.
Lee started feeling extremely sick. He went to the bathroom and when he came back he was swearing up a storm, angry as I'd ever seen him. He said he had terribly bad diarhhea, and first he tried to use some banana plant leaves to wipe himself which just made a grand ole mess. Then he decided to try an alternative, a stone. Well he, err, cut himself with that stone. He was furious. Trevor started feeling ill next and he vomited. In fact, I seemed to be the only one for once who was not feeling bad. Somehow we got over that pass though without and serious problems or breakdowns.
..........this scene deleted and added to Day 9..........
We finally made it over the pass and got to our campsite. It turned out another patrol was camped about a mile above us. Markian showed us a new type of tarp, one aptly suited for alpine conditions, called the "Love Tunnel". You put two tarps together to make one large one.
I cooked dinner for the patrol that night. It was a real gourmet feast...mac & cheese!! I had to cook it under the tarp because it was raining (again). Before we went to bed, Markian told us that the next morning would be an optional peak climb for anyone who was up to it, and that anyone who needed rest could sleep a couple of extra hours. I knew where I would be!!