Hardship

HARDSHIP

“To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'”

- Lao-tsu

“If we get separated on the way there we’ll meet at Newspaper Rock at one o’clock.”  Len told Marcus at lunch during spades.  Jack played the 2 of spades, his last card, taking the trick and winning the game for Len and himself.

“Jack told us that last year you ran in 12 miles with two oranges, a quart of water, and two pieces of beef jerky.  I don’t know if I can handle that.”  Hank said.

“You’ll never now if you don’t try, Hank.”  Jack said.

Len looked up with a dead pan stare, “Don’t be a puss, Hank.  You know you can hang.”  Hank was a 6’5” basketball player with incredible strength and leaping ability.  He could easily dunk the ball.  Jack knew what Hank was going through.  Len managed to muster more power and endurance than anyone he knew.

“OK, Hank and Luke, you guys are responsible for breakfasts and snacks for three days of backpacking.  Len and I will take lunches and dinners.  Don’t forget a couple quart bottles filled with water. You’re packing it in so be careful what you take.”  Jack told them.

That night Len and Jack packed their backpacks for the three day spring weekend.  Len and Jack were both familiar with the possibility of 0 degree white out conditions during March in Canyonlands and packed accordingly; thinsulite gloves, down sleeping bags, down jackets made of ripstop nylon, two pair of long johns each, four pair of heavy socks each, 4 pair of light socks each, ski caps with ear warmers, scarves for the face, winter insulated shirts, shorts, 4 short sleeve cotton shirts each, sunglasses, 2 quart bottles of water each (They both knew they would have to find water to survive.), 4 oranges, 4 full bags of beef jerky, matches in sealed containers, fire starter, first aid kit with a snake bite kit, compass, topographic map of the Needles area of Canyonlands, tent, and ground cloth.

The next day, before sunrise, a red 122 Volvo and Volkswagen beetle took off towards Canonlands as a cloudbank moved into the four corners area of the United States.  They drove through the little town of Jemez Springs and turned right at San Isidro on their way to Cuba New Mexico.  As they drove the temperature dropped to 18 degrees and snow started to blow across the road.

“I just love this weather.  Could you pass me some water?”  Len asked.  Both Len and Jack knew the importance of drinking a lot of water when hiking the canyon.  Last year when they had done this trip they drink enough water and ended up dehydrated at the end of the first day.  Len took a long drink and passed the open container to Jack who did the same.

“How’s your mom doing, Jack?"

“I visited her last week.  I don’t think she’ll ever be my mom again.  I always thought that it would be great if my dad left and that my mother would find some peace.  Instead, she drank so much that she never escaped the demons of his torture.  Yesterday, she didn’t even look up when I visited her.  She just sat staring out the window.  God, it was depressing.”

“Sorry.  I’ll always be there for you.  You know that, right?”  Len said.

“Yeah, I know. Thanks. Damn, the snow is really coming down.” Jack said as the pain slid from his face.

“I love this weather.”  Len said again as the car plunged into the endless snow flakes blazing past their head lights.

“How’s your mom doing?” Jack asked Len.

“Pretty good lately.  She goes in and out ever since Jenna died.  This has been a good month for her.  On the bad months, my dad stays at the labs or in his shop.  Her pain is unbearable to him.”  Len said.

The Volvo suddenly broke loose from the road and headed towards the mesa they were passing on their way into Cuba, New Mexico.  The car slid between two reflectors, spun around 360 degrees, and came out between two other reflectors facing the direction they were headed as if nothing had happened.

“Holy shit, that was exciting!” Jack yelled.

“Well, you ain’t seen nothin yet.  Hand me a beer, will you?”  Len said in a slow drawl and a smile from ear to ear.

Jack opened a Mickey Big Mouth and handed it to Len.  Then he popped the top of one for himself.

“Christ Jack. When you gonna buy beer that doesn’t taste like dog piss?”

“Since when did you become such a big puss?”  Jack smiled and took a big gulp.

Len and Jack arrived at Newspaper Rock at 12:55 and got dressed for the blizzard blowing outside.  They put on thick plaid shirts, scarves, down jackets, winter hats, and gloves and got out to wait for Marcus and Hank.  The wind was bitter cold putting the wind chill at minus 10 degrees.  Almost simultaneously, Len and Jack tied bandanas around their mouth and nose.  They both jogged over to Newspaper Rock and looked at the 1500 year old Native American petroglyph.

“These guys were drawing on rocks when Rome was falling. I love this place.”  Len shouted at Jack.  Len’s eyes scanned the petroglyphs looking for density patterns, instantly recognizing by discoloration to what culture which petroglyph belonged.  He instinctively knew that the history of the region for over a thousand years was recorded in this simple presentation.  To most it would be cute, to him; it was a blue print for flora, fauna, and culture.  He walked away from the rock inspired by humanity.  Jack watched Len wishing he could exalt in the wonders of life like him.  Instead, Jack exalted in knowing Len, riding the winds of power.

They got in the car and waited an hour and a half.  Marcus and Hank didn’t drive above 45 miles an hour the whole way to Newspaper rock.  Len and Jack got out of the car to greet them when they arrived.  Marcus and Hank sat in the car staring out at the cold wind blowing snow ghosts across the parking lot.  Len knocked on Marcus’s window.  Marcus rolled the window down half way.

“This is it.  Isn’t it beautiful?  We’re going to drive into Squaw Flat and hike into Chesler Park tonight.  We had better get going.  What took you guys so long?”  Len was screaming to be heard above the howling wind.

Marcus was shaking his head, “Are you kidding me?”

“What, a little snow?  Is that it?  You are afraid of a little snow.  Just follow us.”  With that Len and Jack jogged back to their car, got in and started driving making sure that Marcus and Hank could keep up.  It took them another hour to get to Squaw Flat leaving them just two hours to hoof it the 7 miles into Chesler Park.

They all got out of the cars and unloaded their back packs and gear.

Len screamed, “We’re in luck, we don’t have to worry about water tomorrow.  This is great.  We have two hours to hoof it 7 miles into Chesler Park.  Here are some extra scarves and bandanas I brought for you two yahoos.  Make sure you seal in the warmth when we stop running.”

“Running?”  Hank said.

“Don’t worry Hank, if you loose us, your body will freeze and look great for your parents.  Make sure you keep up boys, it’s easy to get lost.” Jack said.

Len took out a map.  “We’re here.  We are going here.  Three lefts, one right.”

Len swung his pack on, synched up the waist belt, checked the fit and started jogging.  Jack fell in right behind him with an easy gliding jog, then Hank, then Marcus.

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Copyright © 1993 - 2010 Philip Regenie, All Rights Reserved