Physical limitations

July 5

This has been the hardest day of work I have ever done in my life.

Still tired from yesterday's excursions, and with a sore left knee, I hopped onto the helicopter at 8 am. It was raining and we were the only crew to go out. Dropped off on a plateau, we were on the opposite side of a little creek valley from where we wanted to be. After scaling down the rather steep hill, covered in stunted spruce and small bushes, we crossed the creek. I managed to completely soak one boot and it was only 8:30 am. Gary pointed up a 40 degree slope and said that we were going to the top. I swear to god I thought he was kidding.

The "slope" was almost vertical at the top and was covered in 10-30cm pieces of sharp shale. This meant that if you didn't get your footing right, you might end up sliding down further than you stepped up. Everyone else was in much better shape than I, having spent the last eight months sitting on my ass either studying or watching tv. I was so frustrated with my progress by the time I got about a third of the way up that I was crying a little. Gary took pity on me and said I could stay where I was. But that would mean spending the rest of the day sitting on a shaley slope in the rain, so I powered on. I made it to the top in about twice the time it took the other two people and I slipped and smashed my face into the rocks at least twice and I very much felt like throwing up near the top, but I made it. Now it was geology time.

We followed a literal goat trail along the side of the slope (we were only half way up the mountain) to look at the jagged outcrop along the north face. I was glad to have some time to get my energy back but sitting in the rain writing sample descriptions is not pleasant. At one point the sun almost came out and I saw a rainbow below. I was high enough that the rainbow was BELOW me! That is crazy!

Finally at 2 pm we were given the go ahead to make our way back to the landing site on the other side of the valley. After making it back to the creek, I realized that the hill back up to the area where the helicopter was to pick us up was actually steeper than the shale slope. And this time I had a pack full of rocks and a grizzly bear skull that I had found earlier. I made it about half the way up and may have thrown up a little. I am simply not in shape- my calves were on fire and I was panting so loud I am sure I scared away any nearby wildlife. When I made it to the top, I lay down in the rain and let the water cool my face. I probably shouldn't have done that as the chopper didn't show up for another 45 minutes and by that time I was soaked to the bone and cold as hell.

You may not believe me but deep down I think I had fun. Now that I am sitting here in camp in my warm sleeping bag, I am glad I did it and feel like I could do it again.
I hiked and climbed in the Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories, in the rain, an hour and a half by air to the nearest road, where the sky hasn't darkened in weeks. How fricking badass is that?

-A.