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I pushed through the brush, fur and spruce limbs snapped back into my face. The terrain was steep and thick with vegetation. The only way to find our way through was following small strips flagging tape left behind by past hikers. There was no trail to this peak. This peak had no name. It was a place not visited by people very often, only those seeking to climb mountains on the list of the hundred highest. This is what brought them this way today. I was part of the rescue team sent to recover the body of a man who fell near the summit of this mountain, the location only known through a 911 call from his hiking party. I came over the edge of a steep climb to a flat section known as the false summit, through the trees ahead I could see the peak rising up above. I could hear voices off in the distance, though I could not tell which direction. I dragged with me half of the rescue litter, which proved more challenging as the forest grew thicker. As I came to the clearing where the party was gathered I could see the body laying peacefully behind them. The two conservation officers lead me over to him. His body lay lifeless staring at the sky above him. His final thoughts may have been thankful to rest on this mountain.

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“WYF-711, this is Mount Washington weather observatory with your morning weather.” The radio came on with a staticy voice, I could hear Sean shuffling papers preparing to write down the morning weather for the hut guests downstairs. “The current temperature outside is currently minus twenty degrees, with high winds causing wind chills to drop up to minus 60 degrees. There is a statewide wind-chill warning in effect until tomorrow at 9am when temperatures are expected to start to rise again. Extended outdoor activities are not recommended.” I stirred in my sleeping bag, afraid to face the cold air outside. Lily was still asleep at the bottom of the bag curled up around my feet. She’s a smart dog, and knows where the warmth is. I think to myself “extended outdoor activities… great, that’s just what I plan to do.” The radio kicked off and Sean stood up. “Going to be a fun day today.” He said. I cinched the sleeping bag hood over my face and tried to doze back asleep.

I was going stir crazy at home. I’ve been back from Nepal for over a month now. I am broke and unemployed, my only companions are my parents, and I haven’t done much more than sit lazily around the house looking for a job online. I scraped together the little money I had, brought some cans back to the store for the deposits (thirty five cents). I threw my winter gear into my pack, grabbed some food from the pantry, and got into the car headed for my other home, the White Mountains. I stopped only once to put the $11.73 I had into the gas tank, hoping this would be enough to get me up and back, even though I knew deep down it wouldn’t and I would probably have to bum some money once I got up there, but I didn’t care. I needed to get out. Read the rest of this entry »

I walked out into the field and inhaled the cold crisp air. I closed my eyes and let myself fall into a day dream. I was alone on a mountain in an unknown place. There were no signs of people or civilization in any direction I looked. The air was still and cold. I opened my eyes. Lily was running in the field chasing after a Frisbee I had thrown, she retrieved it and started running back towards me. I went through a mental checklist of all the things I needed done by day’s end. 1. Send out resumes, 2. Bring car in to get oil changed, 3. Go to bank and make deposit, 4. Job interview at 3:00, 5. Pick up food for dinner. I exhaled and watched my breath rise up into the air.

I have written about 4 drafts for this blog entry and decided that I do not know what to say. Being back home is hard and readjusting to the American life is harder. Ive spent the past three years living a lifestyle that is very counter-culture. Whenever I need to come back on track to “reality” I go through somewhat of a post-adventure depression. My heart wants to be free. I want to be in the mountains without having to worry about meaningless things like paying bills. Maybe I am just a dreamer and maybe there is no going back.

I took a quick trip down to Pennsylvania over the weekend to go to the PA Ruck, which is a gathering of former AT Thru-Hikers and dreamers. Being around so many people who live a similar lifestyle with the same dreams gave me comfort and motivation to work towards the next adventure in life. But for now its back to American Life. Read the rest of this entry »