Writer's Workshop: Steppin' Outside the Box

Time for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop once again...

This week I chose to write about "Steppin' outside the box... describe a time when you went way out of your comfort zone."

I've always considered myself relatively outdoorsy. I grew up fishing, climbing trees, and tromping through the woods that surrounded my parents' house (most of which has since been replaced by an office building and parking lot).

But we weren't a camping, hiking family. Yeah, we went on "nature walks" in the nearby park that was riddled with trails and the occasional "hike" on some of the local walking trails, like those at the base of Mount Rainier or on the Olympic Peninsula... but never anything that involved packs, real gear, dehydrated food, camping stoves, etc.

Enter college.

To graduate from the program I was enrolled in I had to write a thesis, study abroad, or do an internship.

I don't remember exactly how it happened but for some reason my only logical choice was to do an internship... and time was running out. Then an opportunity was presented to one of my GIS classes to participate in a cheatgrass mapping project in the North Cascades in various prescribed "burn units" where the park was hoping to reintroduce fire to the ecosystem, but they wanted to control the invasive grass first... so I volunteered.

The internship was all summer long with 8 days in the field, hiking and mapping cheatgrass, then 6 days off. The first three cycles, or "tours" as we called them, we would be based out of Stehekin at the north end of Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington. The second three tours we would be based at Lightning Creek campground on Ross Lake.

Next thing I knew I was shopping for REAL hiking boots, dehydrated foods, lightweight sleeping bags, etc. I had almost no idea what to expect on the first "tour" of the internship so I didn't know what to pack/buy, or how, or really anything at all, but I did the best I could.

Eventually the packing situation was figured out, we bought additional food as a group, and we made our way to Stehekin where we would be staying in a cabin and hiking out each day.

The first "burn unit" we mapped had one primitive trail that we barely used; we were mostly going cross-country across boulder fields and steep, dirt terrain. I quickly came to the realization that I was much, MUCH less experienced than my fellow interns (there were only four of us) and I was well out of my comfort zone. Throw in treacherous conditions, near heat-stroke, major blisters, rattlesnakes... I seriously considered not finishing the rest of the summer. I had doubted whether or not I could physically continue.

But... I'm stubborn. I refused to give up.

So what if I had to tape my feet with moleskin and sports tape each day? So what if I was the slowest hiker/climber? Or that I would come home and count my newest collection of bruises after each tour, or that my arms were completely scratched up from bush-whacking? (I fell/slipped/ran into rocks a lot. No surprise there. Bruises were better than falling down cliffs.)

Each tour got a bit easier, but it was still a struggle. I am not a fast hiker... but I still loved it, blisters, aching knees and all.

Some of the burn units were easier than others, but each had their own "obstacles" to overcome... such as cliffs (like the one Tim slid down and barely caught himself on a tree--and then it was my turn to make it down the same path). And gravel screes (like the one I slid down and barely caught myself on a stump). And fallen logs over lakes (like the one I nearly toppled off backwards).

There were many, many times I had serious concerns over our safety. I still marvel that we all made it through that summer without any serious injuries.

But I made it... and came out with a better appreciation for my own limits and what I am capable of, which all boils down to you really never know until you try. You just might surprise yourself. (I did!) It was an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I am glad that I didn't know exactly what I was getting myself into in the beginning because I probably wouldn't have the guts to do it.

Once I was in it, I refused to turn back... and for once I'm thankful for my little stubborn streak.

Plus, I got some pretty awesome pictures out of it. :)