Peter's Entry

As I contribute my piece to our trip journal, I want to write of the things that would be great to remember our journey by. I would like to remind you of how we pushed ourselves beyond our limits. For most of the tasks that were presented before us on this trip, we were asked to step outside of our comfort zones. Each one of us did extremely well. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that carrying a backpack holding everything we need to live off of and climbing to the top of a 9,620 Ft. peak are not everyday occurrences for us. But we knew the strength of a united group, and we kept on pushing our personal and physical limits until we accomplished our goals. I know that I will leave this a changed person. And it is not just the experience that have changed me, it is each one of the group members who impacted me in different ways. In a movie released in the 1960's, The Gallant Hours, one of the generals claims: "There are no great men, only ordinary men who accomplish great tasks." For the past two weeks I have watched a group of ordinary people come together to accomplish great tasks. We adopted a lifestyle that none of us were use to, yet in different challenges we faced, we strived as a group and worked together. We should all be proud of our achievements as a team, for we have experienced much more than the ordinary on this adventure.
- Peter

Ideas on Leadership

We learn by sharing and recieving feedback.
We learn by paying attention.
We learn by teaching. Learning is living.

Everyone is different, has strengths and weaknesses and collectively we form a team.

Place every step with intention and focus.

Find your own pace, don't hurry at others.

Cherish your successes, but don't forget your mistakes. Learn from both.

As Kahlil Gibran said,

"Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit...and let your best be for your friend. For what is your friend that you should seek them with hours to kill? Seek them always with hours to live."

- Tyler

Rock Climbing School

Today was our first day of rock climbing. Before this trip I had not had previous climbing experience, so I was excited and nervous at the same time. A couple of the other participants did have experience climbing and seemed at ease.  Our "school" was held in one of the most beautiful canyons that I have ever seen. Our guides were, in a word, impressive. We had two Exum Mountain Guides who taught us all about the gear (harness, helmets, shoes, rope etc....). If you check out www.exumguides.com and click on "Meet our guides" you can read about Peter Carse and Bill Liberatore. They were wonderful instructors who instilled a tremendous amount of knowledge in regards to climbing and high alpine travel. We began by bouldering on small rocks, learning how to move on rock. This was really cool! We grouped up into rope teams and started climbing. Amazing! I soon lost track of time and found myself with the group on top of our goal. We then learned how to rappel. THAT WAS FUN!!! I wanted to do it again, but we ran out of time for the day and had to get back to our campsite. I can hardly wait until tomorrow when our group will climb Cube Point.
-Shelley

Notes from the Top

Today our entire group scaled to the top of Cube Point! This was one of the coolest things that I have ever done in my life. We hiked over in the morning, taking a boat across Jenny Lake to get there. We roped and started climbing. Pretty soon the ground was very far below us. I felt excited and scared as we climbed higher and higher. Slow and steady....after some amazing climbing we all reached the summit and took MANY photos. This day was INCREDIBLE! This will be a memory that lives in my memory forever.
- Alex

Jocelyn's Poem

Here's a poem I wrote and seems applicable for this trip.

 

The Watcher, The Learner, The Dreamer

 

I am the one who remembers how to dream.
The Watcher, The Learner, The Dreamer.
I am the one who never runs
for I have found the pace at which my feet were meant to walk.
A pace that beats in time with the heart of a land long forgotten.
I am the one who hears the wolf's song
I am the one who listens to it every night.
I am the one who feels every wave crash upon the sand and smells every petal to ever bloom across the land.
I am the one who every night
joins the stars in their endless dance across the sky
The one who feels the pulsing earth beneath my feet and whose heart joins in and sings the endless song of life.
I am an explorer of worlds left unseen.
I am a singer of songs left unsung.
I am teller of tales left untold.
I am the one who remembers how to dream.
- Jocelyn