- Expedition: May 15-20, 2011
- Efrain
- Venture Academy
- Yosemite National Park: Hetch Hetchy
Challenge myself has only recently been a factor in my life. Like you know, I came here two years ago and went on a much more difficult trail. That’s not to say that this one is totally easy. The first day was intense. I had to keep thinking of new things to motivate myself. A lot of random things like food, sleeping at camp, or making it to the next water break.
They worked somewhat but never lasted long. Then today, you guys brought up the point that some people can’t physically do what we’re doing right now. This made me think of my sister. She has been dieing to come here for the past 3 years. She can’t though because she is a little person. So the challenge for me out here is not really the hiking, but thinking about my sister while I’m out here. It’s a challenge because I know right at this moment she’s probably thinking about what I might be doing. It kills me to know that I’m having a blast up here while she’s back at school all bored.
Two years ago I grew a lot as a person and I’m doing it again this year. This challenge has been good for me because it has made me appreciate who I am as a person and made me realize that this world around me is not just for myself, but for everyone. Especially my sister.
I’d say that for the past 3 years now my interest in the environment and the wilderness has risen a lot. I’m even going to study in that field when I go off to college.
It’s just amazing to me. I’m sitting here writing with a huge rock in front of me. I can’t even wrap my head around on how big these mountains are. Because of that, the wilderness means endless possibilities. You can do anything out here and no one will tell you its not “cool”. The wilderness allows you to be who you really are without having to worry about anything.
So I guess I see the wilderness like a home. A home that you can always love and count on. That’s the wilderness.
