Rosa portrait
  • Expedition: Mar 20-25, 2005
  • Rosa
  • Madera High School
  • Yosemite National Park: Merced Grove

What are your fears and goals for the expedition?

My fears for this adventure are many not just one or two. The greatest fear of all is getting injured in a way that I wouldn't enjoy this incredible adventure. I also have a fear of being unprepared. I don't want to be extremely cold or not. I just want to be comfortable. I'm afraid that the people that I am around won't get along with me. Meeting new friends is a whole new chapter in my life. One last thing is that I don't want to go home and unhappy person. Three goals I want to carry on this trip are: not taking nature or wilderness for granted; capture as many memories as I can; and to have fun.

How did it feel during the space walk to the cabin?

Traveling through the snow was the best thing I have ever experienced in my life. It brought me the greatest rush in my body I have ever felt. I felt scared at times because I didn't see anyone around me but at the same time nature brought a great comfort. Seeing the huge beautiful trees blow their fresh air into my face was an incredible thing. At first I thought that hiking up to the cabin was going to be a challenge, but then I realized that seeing and feeling all the things nature brings to you makes you feel at home. The feeling that I got when I got to the cabin was sensational. In my mind I was thinking that I could conjure a lot more and the things that are ahead. While I was walking I enjoyed breathing the clean fresh cold air, even though I smelled like wet dog and sweat. The thing that I thought sucked coming up here was falling. It was real difficult trying to get back up and sometimes you would just fall back down again. Anyways, I think I grew a little while walking up here.

What makes Yosemite sacred/special to you?

The mountains are special to me because I am not used to seeing these large pieces of art close up to me every day in the morning. And also they make you think twice about the things that you have done to nature in the past. To not realize that I have beauty close by and not take advantage makes me feel kind of stupid. They are like a meditating place where nothing can go wrong. Their beauty you can't explain.

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