Change of Plans
As the first ration period came to a close, fatigue began to set in. Even though the map shows less then 15 miles from the start to where we were, our bodies and minds were worn down. Setting up camp was becoming easier. Cooking was not as scary as the first few days, and we felt that we were moving more efficiently.
The map said that we were close to making it out of the s'wack, and spirits were up. In the early afternoon we reached the first snow of the trip. All heartache from the first few days was forgotten as we had finally entered the mountains.
Sort of...
Turns out there was a few more miles to be covered before we reached the pass, but we didn't care. We were now graduates from Bushwhack Academy; Twist Creek certified. Continuing onward, we slid onto the snow slope, traversed scree and boulder fields, and went through the remaining alder where we rested on snow. We were tired, but excited.
It was not, however, all smiles. Over the previous couple of days one of our team members had an issue with one of her feet. Enough that the team helped take weight so it would be easier to travel. The decision was made to make camp down by the river and call it a day.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered: a good night's sleep, good food, and warm clothing. Life was good. Good. but not perfect. The student that was having foot problems had to be evacuated. An unseen mist fell over camp, thick and heavy, threatening to choke the group's momentum. One of the team was leaving. We still had time to say our goodbyes, but it still hit us hard.
There are no trails where we were, and certainly no roads. To get where we were required the gift of flight. A helicopter is the perfect vehicle for this, able to land and take off anywhere flat, and shuttle people and equipment where it needs to be.
As one might imagine, paying for the services of a helicopter is not cheap. The original plan was to climb the pass and have the helicopter drop food off at an agreed upon location. Climbing would be easy because we would have two days worth of food in our packs. Like any plan, it never survives first contact. Revised plan was for the second food ration to be flown in, then they would evacuate the student. Time was passed learning a few knots, and our first day of snow school.
After being taught how to use the ice ax for self-belay, we practiced self-arrest. Both are techniques that would keep us safe when we moved on the snow. The sun marched ever onward and soon left the sky hues of blue and gray. The unseen mist settled back over the camp. Before we knew, it we were watching our friend fly off, There was nothing left to do but press onward.
In Retrospect
It's warm inside, and gentle lighting sets the atmosphere as the flavors of the coffee slide across your palette. Home, this is home. You could travel to a different coffee shop, order the same thing, doctor it the same way, and yet it would not be the same. That's how it felt in the days after the student left. The group was ready to get out of that camp and climb the pass between us and the glaciers, but would have traded it all to keep the group together.
As Mandeep, our Indian guide often said: "It be that way sometimes."
First Game of the Season
The Life Giver, the Sun, marched in from the East. We dawned our heavy packs and moved with new energy. After a quick two hours, and a crash course in rope team travel, we topped the ridge to a snowfield that led us to the pass.
We had covered a lot of ground that day and ended up spending the night just above the snow ramp. We were scared, and on edge to be sure, but we were loving it. That day was 12 hours in the saddle but all went well. After choosing a camp site and probing the area for safety, we set about putting camp together for the night.
It was no longer a dream. After so many days in the weeds, to be here was incredible. Everything went so well the first day on the snow in rope teams. Hot cocoa fought with the cold as I stood looking out over the setting sun. I watched as the mountains turned into dark shadows, back lit with yellow, then red, then pink. Life was good. Next order of business: UP.
Z
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