Tall mountains

Chris, Jason, and I all woke before the alarm went off. We took our time and each did our thing silently. When the guide came to our cabin, we naturally followed behind.

Jason made sure to take every opportunity to help me wherever he could, especially from behind. At some point Chris must have noticed because he said out loud with a chuckle, “Jase, if you touch Rae’s backside one more time, I’m going to make you carry her gear for the next five days.”

The tour guide, whose name was Hilton, just laughed.

We had a few good conversations but mostly walked and worked in silence. We found our rhythm quickly, and I could tell I was contributing in some way. We all saw things from different angles and had different ways of storytelling. There would be more than enough content between the three of us. Although to this day I still wonder if Chris really needed us. If not what could have been behind our invitations?

At a particularly rugged spot, Jason made his way ahead of me and climbed up. He tried to pull me up toward him, but I just couldn’t find my grip. Then out of nowhere, Chris put his hands on my hips and lifted me higher, climbing behind me and placing me on his one shoulder and using his other arm to pull us up until we reached the top.

When we finally got there, he gave me one last push off his shoulder and tapped me playfully. Jason gave us one look and couldn’t resist having a comment, “Ah, so you can nudge, push, and tap but I can’t. Looks to me like you should be carrying Rachel’s gear”

I don’t know what came over Chris, but he grabbed my bag and said, “Done. It’ll make me feel better anyway.”

Hilton chipped in and shared that he needed to take another route to get some of our camping and cooking gear. But he explained the rest of the route and it sounded like we would manage just fine.

Jason pretty much got the silent treatment from then on from both of us for most of the day.

Just before we made it to the meadow, we reached a similar climb, but we were already so high up that I was a bit freaked out. Chris tapped both Jason and me on the shoulder and told us we would be fine. As we made our way up, I slipped and bumped into Chris, who lost his grip on my bag. My pack went flying and disappeared into the forest below. His nearly followed, but luckily he caught it in time.

After that, we were all a bit shook from the whole incident, seeing my bag crash down like it did was eye opening, this work is not a joke. Having reached the beautiful meadow, we finally sat down. It was beautiful here. I can see why they want us to make the most content in this spit and why it’s such a popular place.

Not long after we sat down Hilton came by, I had forgotten about food but seeing him reminded my stomach of how hungry it was and it let out a loud rumble. It did not take long for Hilton to catch up with the incident. He said he can maybe help with some clothes and extra food but that they did not have an extra tent or sleeping bag.

Jason was the first to speak. “Wow, thats a tough one. What’s Rach going to do without a tent? Rach, you can always share with me if you like.”

Chris and Hilton just laughed.

“Nice try,” Chris said. “Like I’m going to leave two hormonal teenagers in a tent together for five days. You will stay with me Jason. And Rachel will use your gear, we will just toughen up with the hard ground. I felt guilty for letting Chris carry my stuff, maybe if I had carried them myself none of this would have happened.

I hear Hilton say something about also being able to catch fish since the summer is such a good time of the year to be here. Chris answers “ Well thats perfect, that way we will catch what we can and split what we brought between us, but Jase don’t snack too much, okay?”

Jason, trying to act innocent, “Oh yeah, like I haven’t already climbed into my food. Don’t worry about me, Rach can have what I have left, I think there is anyway just enough snacks for a day.”

“What!” We all simultaneously sing together.

Christopher in the biggest shock, “Jason what about all our training, come on, the snacks were meant for an emergency”

I was spinning. I couldn’t even think properly about what was going on around me, the prospect of sleeping in a tent here on this mountain alone suddenly scared a lot out of me. Not to mention my worries about all my gear, I just got a perfect camera, one I would probably never be able to afford. I snuck makeup in that bag, my clean underwear, my toothbrush, the only sunscreen we had between us.

While I was lost in thought, I heard Chris call from the other side. “Here, Rachel. I tore my towel in half. It’s the best I can do. Let me take you to the creek. You can freshen up. Hilton and Jason will make supper.”

Trying to catch up, I reached for the towel.

“Too slow, little miss.”

I tried again.

“Still slow.”

We ended up playing the silly game all the way to the creek. Fifteen years older, yet where did he get all that energy?

Chris stopped and turned around. “Okay, this is where I’ll wait.”

“You don’t need to watch me every step of the way, Chris. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” Although I was just saying that, the area actually felt very daunting.

He scoffed. “It’s got nothing to do with age, little miss. Not even I would come out here alone with bears around. We need someone watching our backs. But anyway, you only have so many clothes, so wash yours just in case. Hopefully they’ll dry and we will see what Hilton brings tomorrow, if they are not enough then maybe your own clothes will dry and you’ll have a little bit more to work with.”

Ugg he really babies me.

I climbed in the creek once he was out of sight, even though it was summer the water was ice cold. Not something I am used to. I tried to wash quick then I realized he was still holding my half of the towel.

“Um, Chris… I need my towel.”

I saw the back of his neck turn red and could only imagine his expression. He tried to step backward but stumbled on some rocks. Freezing cold, I decided to meet him halfway.

To be honest, I was extremely shy about my body. I walked toward him and saw him close his eyes.

“Thanks, Chris. You can be such a gent.”