We made it into the field and struck out on our hike in the
snow. I was pleased to be the one to remember that we had group gear in
addition to our own to carry. Sage said this spared us a lot of time. My ego
was quickly deflated when my pack was the first to fall apart. I was on the
ground fixing it before we had even left sight of the car.
My pack wasn’t the only to fall apart, and some group
members struggled to hike with a pack in the snow. Meanwhile our instructor was
carrying a huge pack, coughing up a lung, and looking none to impressed with
the group’s progress. On we went, hiking through snow without a trail on
terrain that looked more or less exactly the same 400m ahead as it looked 400m
behind. A very slow mile later, Sage started looking for something. Just as
mysteriously as she knew where she was going, Sage also knew the campsite was
found.
It was coming up on dark and we moved as quickly as a group
of novices could. Before dark we managed to put up a tarp high enough to
accommodate a fire below. We also found our digging sticks, fire wood and
several rocks.
We continued to set up the rest of camp in the dark. There
was not much moon, but the stars reflecting on the snow helped visibility. Sage
also had a small red light. Using the newly found digging sticks, we dug a
latrine and a space for water and food waste called a sump. The latrine and
sump are dug under trees where the ground was soft and warm.
The major
challenge of the evening was digging a fire pit in the frozen ground. Sage was
busy helping half the group build a sleeping shelter, so those of us stabbing
at the ground went on for about 45 minutes before we were given permission to
build a small fire to defrost the dirt. The fire and digging alternated from
one half of the fire pit to the other about five times before the pit was the
proper size.
We weren’t allowed watches, so I don’t now what time it was
when we sat down to a fire and rice pots. It was cold out that first night, but
I don’t remember it being bad. It was exciting and we were busy. Nobody slept
much the first night.
By the afternoon of the second day, the first person dropped
out of training. Issues with transportation and the radio set us back
considerably. That evening we set up camp entirely in the dark. It was extremely
cold. Set up was slowed by the need to re-warm fingers and toes when they could
no longer be felt or easily curled. My entire body shook for a few hours toward
the end of the night, although I don’t think the others experienced this. I was
cold, angry, and uncomfortable. It took a lot of will power to keep my mouth
shut and continue participating in set up.
The third morning we were sent away from camp to gather
wood, so that Sage could talk to base privately on the radio. I was sure my
transport back to base was being arranged. I had not handled the previous night
gracefully. Instead, on our return from wood gathering, we were told that we
had been up until 6:30am and that we slept until 2pm. Several set backs from
the get go had put a serious cramp on the usual training scheme, and a new plan
was devised. We laid over at camp the third night, and discussed the training
packet.
The fourth day we rebuilt our camp. After two nights it was
showing signs of wear, and truthfully given the moonlight set up, it never was
that strong. Sage used the rebuild to educate everyone on proper roping, tying,
and rocking of shelters. When it was all said and done we received our only
complement of the training, “This is the best circus tent shelter I’ve seen
from a training group.” Shock and relief washed across the group.
After a further debriefing from the rebuild, we were sent
out on a solo camp night. We were pushing against dark again. I was frantic,
and anxious. In hindsight the solo wasn’t quite as difficult as I thought it
was in the moment. The biggest challenge was the fire. It was an enormous
struggle to start and maintain the fire.
In the process I breathed in a large amount of smoke and reflected on
how nice it was to share this burden in a group. I could only keep the fire
smoldering long enough to actually dig the pit, and heat my water bottles to
keep me warm at night. A pot for dinner? Forget it. Trail mix for dinner?
Couldn’t find it. It’s okay, I felt a little sick from the smoke, and I was
just happy to have my warm bottles.
Fortunately I’m naturally an early bird, and morning cold
also helped me continually rise earlier than the rest. On the morning of the
fifth day, I woke early and gave my campsite a good once over in the light. I
had mixed a lot of coals in my now frozen dirt pile trying to dig the fire pit.
There was no way of separating them, and I figured this would hurt me
considerably. My highly attentive trainer must have noticed, but she checked
off my campsite regardless.
It was dusk by the time everyone’s campsite was cleared, and
the group camp site torn down. We started off on a hike, and I felt a sense of
levity despite my cold toes. The mountains were glowing beautifully, and slowly
the stars popped out. I noticed the Taurus constellation for the first time,
and I thought I saw others. I was hopeful that we would meet the kids that
night. At the very least I was resigned not to be angry about setting up camp
in the dark. I had more skills, more understanding of the Red Cliff program,
and honestly I didn’t think we could do worse than we had. So on we hiked, as usual, Sage followed no trail. Hiking
was by far the most enjoyable part of training. Our pace was slow, and
reflected a sick trainee, who had thrown in the towel.
At the end of the hike, we were happy to see we had come
back to where we started. Two more left the training group, leaving only Mike,
and I with the trainer to camp at the outpost shack on the fifth night.
The upswing continued on the sixth day when we were dropped
off with groups of kids. It was truly enjoyable to be with them. On the
seventh, eighth, and ninth day we did paperwork and learned how to control
unruly kids with their wrists.
I’m relieved and so happy to have been offered the job. I
had serious doubts about whether I’d cut it. I feel proud, and strong. I’m
excited for the things I’ll learn in this job. Since coming out of the field
we’ve been sorting out housing. Mike’s been recovering from a cough.
Fortunately He didn’t have fever and pneumonia like our instructor. (wow!) We
both have been binging hard on sweets and chips. Partly out of convenience,
partly because my body had been demanding a lot of calories so that I put
weight that I lost back on. We’ll be
back in the field this Wednesday. After a shift or two we’ll come into balance
with this new and wonderful opportunity.
