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Memoirs of a Mountain High
It was the summer of 94 when I took a Wilderness Leadership Semester
from the Colorado Outward Bound School . Needless to say that it was the
most emotional, challenging, and rewarding experience that I have had in
all of my 19 ears of existence. One week spent running the Upper Green
River in western\Colorado and northern Utah. Through The Gates of the
Ladour Canyon and Dinosaur National Monument, we floated to end where the
Green meets the Colorado River just beyond Echo Canyon. The high desert
canyons echoed with rapids ovarious classes; Hells Half Mile and Disaster
Falls were the most memorable. Upon completion we headed to climbing camp
in Wyoming at a place called Vedauwoo (va-da-vu).Two weeks of vigorous
climbing these granite towers left many scars both physically and
emotionally for this rock was indeed as sharp as knives. Somehow no matter
hard climbed; even if successful, this rock always seemed to have the last
say. By this time a month had passed and I was very grateful to have that
one shower on the way to the Gore Range in Colorado. This section of the
course was by far the most demanding, the mountaineering section. Stepping
off the bus in Frisco, Colorado we looked back knowing that we were not to
see civilization for at least a month. There were 8 men and women in my
group from all over the country. Each one had a unique personality not
knowing that we would all become closer to each other than family, possibly
being dependent during life threatening situations which we experienced on
many occasions. This in itself could be another long story. By the end of
this section we were required to do what they call a solo. In addition to
rest up for the 15 mile marathon and finals, (a week of travel) this was
also used for reflecting on our experiences. The solo was for three days.
During these three days we were all to be separated about a quarter to half
mile apart, alone. All of our flashlights, candles, and watches were taken
away along with any books which were left at base camp. All we were allowed
to take was our clothes, a tarp(not a tent) which wasn't but 5ft by 2ft, a
water bottle, a pencil, paper, and our iodine to purify the water.I also
want to note that we had the choice to fast or take a survival pack which
consisted of a few crackers and raisins. I wanted the full experience so I
chose to fast. This was a trip in itself, no food for three days. My spot
on this solo was at around 12000 ft, the highest of my group. the only
water I had was from an alpine stream which dried up on me the first day,
after searching for a while I did find another stream. The first day it
rained all day, the next was clear, I didn't do much...just thought allot.
I have never been this long without seeing or talking to another person,not
even pictures...everything I had was in my mind.No toys...no material
possessions.....no problems....just me....at this time I felt the true
essence of the wilderness and everything that is so sacred to me, It is
much too difficult to explain, I didn't feel human in some respect, truly a
wild creature....possibly like a wolf.....this is where I thought of Of the
Wolf, every goal I stated on this solo has come true so far. There is much,
much more to the story but due to time I will condense it. On the second
day it was rather warm so I decided to wash my clothes in the stream, yes I
spent the whole day naked, clothes...as natural as one can get....of course
I didn't think much of it because I was far from any other living creature.
Not much lives that high. While my clothes were drying I sat naked on a
rock.... the view was incredible.... absolutely stunning......and I
wrote.....A crack in the glass and I'm thinking....Alone in the field and
I'm sinking, Soaking in breeze on a rock and I'm hypnotized, the world
inside me Cranking the weight off of my mind...testing the strength of a
fine line Relative thoughts... no control... become justified, the world
defied me Tasting the sweat off of my lips...feeding my soul with the suns
kiss laughing out loud I'm remembering everything... foolishly sighing Now
I'm lost inside these words that speak so loudly in my head Honestly I'll
take the vow to cut these chains off of my wrist This freedom feels just
like a bird soaring onto a higher plain Overcome my fear of
falling....standing on my feet again.
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