On our very first day, we were told that Outward Bound would
be one of the hardest things we ever did in life. I wasn’t
sure I believed it then, but I certainly do now. Meeting up
with a group of complete strangers; heading off into pure
wilderness, avalanches and all; dealing with unpredictable
weather and smelly sleeping bags; wearing the same clothes
for 14 days; waiting for snow to melt before you could drink
the water; eating one-colored mush night after night; facing
decisions as a team, without the guidance of your instructors;
scaling rock faces thousands of feet above sea level …
these were certainly not everyday occurrences for me, nor
anyone in my group. Many of us were there because we have
a passion for the outdoors and craggy mountains; this re-introduction
by immersion was exactly the experience we wanted.
The rewards were endless: new friends who are the only people
who will ever truly understand what we went through and what
these 14 days mean to us; unbeatable feelings of accomplishment
as we trudged forward when far beyond tired; once-in-a-lifetime
views at the top of the world; newfound self-esteem; a refreshed
outlook on life and fondness for the beauty that surrounds
us; a renewed appreciation for running water, heat, food and
laundromats … and so many more indescribable emotions.
Someone once said that they would now think of their life
in two eras: pre-Outward Bound and post-Outward Bound. At
least for me, this couldn’t be more accurate. I’ll
never forget the friendships, hardships, panoramas and sense
of accomplishment and renewal. My only hope is that I can
hold onto these feelings and memories for the rest of my life.
But I don’t think it will be too much of a problem.
They’re part of me now.
Michelle Richards,
PNC 210 North Cascades Mountaineering
