Freshmen...

Backpacking is one of those things I don't know if I love or hate. Like, on one hand, being out in nature and waking up to breathtaking views and swimming in crystalline mountain lakes are experiences that can't be beat in by anything in the front country. On the other hand, I could definitely go without spending hours walking with a massive pack on my back, sleeping under (and on) a tarp, and drinking iodine flavored water. Well, today, for better or for worse, I found myself leading a trip of nine enthusiastic Stanford freshmen on a pre-orientation backpacking trip.
I'm not going to lie, I am nervous about this. After all the training I've done over the past year I should feel confident but I can't help but worry about what I'll do if something goes wrong. What if someone dies? Fuck, I'd be so screwed. So far so good, but it's barely night one out here. God forbid someone with a bee allergy gets stung. It's game over if I have to whip out the epi pen.
As we hiked up the Pacific Crest Trail this afternoon in Plumas National Forest today, we came across a very interesting hiker. I used the hiker, who I learned after a quick chat, was a twenty-something year old woman from Minnesota named Cheryl, was the illustration of being ill-prepared for the back country I used for SPOTlets in our afternoon discussion.
"Did you see how the size of her pack? That's why it pays to to pack light. Those of you complaining about your packs, imagine having to carry that pack for thousands of miles. Y'all should be #thankful," I preached at them.
I can't help but worry about her. She hasn't even taken a wilderness first aid course, whoa! I have to respect her ambition, though. She was hiking from Tehachapi to the freaking Oregon-Washington border. That's literally insane! I respect the hustle. I don't think I could do it. I really don't. Especially not if I had to lead these kids all the way up there, nope definitely not. I love being a leader but as a sophomore, I'm old, grumpy, and jaded. Some of these kids just don't stop.
As I teach outdoor kitchen set up and back country food storage I'll be thinking about Cheryl, out there all alone. It does make me feel more prepared though, in a weird way. I guess if she can do that, I can make sure these Freshman have a good time on this trip. Hey, I might even have a good time myself. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. Please, please, nobody die.