the uno

We have a group journal we keep, the Uno. Below is most of my entry from Friday the 13th.

Ram Mesa (aka 'Welcome Back, Kristin')

Over 9.5 hours after we left Abajo de la Baux de Chavez we arrived at our new camp, the site of our re-ration. What we thought might be a bit of a long day became an extrememly long day about midway through. Yesterday proved a test of our skills, our attitudes and our care for each other.

Our leaders of the day laid out a relatively straight forward plan to begin the day-continue in White Canyon, pass Cheesebox Canyon, head up the "unnamed" canyon, find a road and follow it to the re-ration site. We anticipated a 6-7 mile journey and thought it would take about that time in hours.

What we could not have anticipated was how challenging the transition from the "special" canyon to the mesa would be. With a plan in mind we began the ascent, only to change our minds courtesy of some helpful scouting-but the path became more risky than anticipated. The instructors took over the lead, strategizing means by which we- and our packs- could successfully reach the mesa. And, we began the wait.

The wait became an interesting time to observe group behavior- some of us were keen to listen to the instructors' discussion and attempt to gain insight, others of us used the insight to hypothesize what might follow next, while still others opted out of the processing-choosing to nap, chat, enjoy some quiet times. Our choices were affected by a number of factors including our physical and mental well-being, our goals and motivations for this trip and the roles we like to assume in this group.

We all eventually made it up and the instructors graciously moved our packs. Though many of us wished our day could have ended there, we still had miles to go before we slept. We began moving up the remainder of the canyon as a large group and then as small groups until we each found the road...and thus the last stretch of our long trip "home." After a snack break where I got to show off my new "holy" shirt (courtesy of a funny fall and slide on my stomach), it was time for one last push which we began separately, but ended together.

As we began to set up camp, there appeared headlights on the horizon-a new friend? A joy rider? Or could it be Kay (our re-ration man)...and was Kristin with him? (She is our classmate who left because her mother passed away). We heard one instructor introduce himslf and soon there was a waving figure next to him...KRISTIN!!!

Some yelling and hugs later, it was time to re-ration. Someone likened it to Christmas--cheese, yogurt and chocolate covered treats, tea, flour, ramen and lots of snacks. And...FRESH veggies which a classmate expertly orchestrated into a fantastic meal.

Our "good behavior" earned us an 11 am start time on Friday- ah, sleeping in---how wonderful!

I have to admit the canyons have taken a bit to grow on me. This is a completely foreign landscape full of "trust your boots" moments and wet socks days. But, it's also a place where the moon casts a light unlike that I've ever seen before-while talking with "S" late one night the moon rose to cast a blue-ish, white-ish shine on the steep canyon walls. I found myself pondering how an artist might begin to capture the different blues, grays, whites, and browns. I know Bob Ross is amazing, but I think even he might find it challenging.

One final thought from William Jewett Tucker before I go:
"Do not expect that you will make any lasting impression on the world through intellectual power without the use of an equal amount of conscience and heart."