Amber portrait
  • Expedition: Jun 14-19, 2015
  • Amber
  • Lee Vining and Coleville High Schools
  • Yosemite National Park: Lyell Canyon

I wanted to try something new and intimidating. I was curious as to what we would be doing and what I could experience. So far it hasn’t been what I had expected. It’s been better, even being the first to fall in the mud. Already, I have learned many techniques that could come in handy, like how to pack your backpack or how to eat without leaving things, like crumbs, that could harm animals.

My role has always been to not harm [wilderness] in any way and to keep it as safe and clean (as much as the wilderness can be) as possible. My family has always made it a big deal to do things like leaving no trace.

My greatest challenge was my mindset. Quite often, I get down on myself if I’m not as “good” (especially physically) as other people. This is something I really need to work on, but mentality issues can be really difficult to deal with. I usually try to hide this from people, but sometimes the mental breakdowns I can have are hard to hide. But the point is, even though I did have a breakdown, I made it. I pushed past the rough mental state I was in and I made it.

I feel quite calm. Even though I enjoy being around people, I always feel more peaceful when I am alone, be it in my bedroom or on top of a mountain.

Amber Dandelion Removal
Amber GPS
Amber Journal
Amber Food
Amber Rocks
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