A New Day

Hightop Hut to Bearfence Mountain Hut. 13.0 miles.

The morning sun not only helped to dry our clothes, it dried our eyes and warmed our hearts. The ground was still damp, but the blue sky promised a beautiful day. So many people have unabashedly volunteered the fact that a trip such as this will put a monumental strain on our relationship. Well, that is true. We spend long, hard days together oftentimes not seeing another soul except in passing. At night, we are worn out and just want to sleep, but we have to cook, filter water, set up the tent, blow up the sleeping pads, hang the food in a tree, etc. We eat far less than we might at home even though we are putting in longer and harder days physically than we would normally. When it's dark, cold, and rainy all day it does not do a lot for our moods. In fact, as you might imagine, that extra weight can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. But that is the battle. No one is forcing us to do what we are doing. It actually sounds crazy when I describe it this way - it is hell; it totally sucks for most of the day at which point it only sucks a little. On the other hand though, it is quite the adventure. We are learning things about each other. We are pushing greater distances under harder circumstances than we ever imagined that we could do. We've met some very interesting people along the way; we've encountered nature uninhibited. We are not seeing it on a screen, there is not a plaque telling us what to look at - there is no glass or fence to protect us. We've equipped ourselves to meet every challenge. When we realize we've come up short, we put our minds together, we come up with a solution. Every time.

It's true. We have some of the comforts of home along with us. But, it is not comfortable. We are surviving - thriving, in fact. We have been away from home for eighteen days. We are changing physically, growing stronger. We are changing mentally as well. Each day allows for almost uninterrupted introspection made possible by lack of almost everything except time. I can look at myself and see these new things. When I look at Hannah, I see she has changed as well.

From our first hike together until now, I can say with certainty that Hannah has gained physical strength. She is able to walk longer hours and more miles. Mentally she has incredible persistence. Those long hours and long miles wear the both of us thin, but she does not stop. She pushes on until we are in camp, and all the tasks have been complete. I think sometimes she surprises herself with what she can do. However, I can tell that this strength has always been with her. Academically, she knows she possess superior skill. She continues to prove that. Now, she is getting an opportunity to push herself physically, and she still excels. I did not need convincing that she is an amazing person. I hope she sees it in herself.

Today was a new day, and it felt good to be alive.