The shakedown hike was absolutely phenomenal. We had such spectacular views every step of the way. I think it was a great introduction to backpacking, living in a tent, and a good test of our physical ability. Although I could manage the weight of the pack, I was struggling the whole time with how it fit. Unfortunately, my bag was slightly too big, so it was not sitting where it should have been; however, I should be able to find a bag that fits better before we set out for the longer hike. Even if my bag fit perfectly, I know I still would have struggled. The Himalayas are as beautiful as they are steep, and the bags still weigh quite a lot no matter how well you pack it. I am a little worried about the longer trek, especially since I will be carrying more gear and food. Despite the challenges of the shakedown, I am really looking forward to the long hike in a few days. I know that we now all have the basic skills down, and we will only improve from here.
I noticed a lot of people were either working together to set the pace while walking or while setting up camp and cooking dinner. We broke out into teams of three people each for sleeping in the tents and cooking. I was in a team with Mitchel and Thomas, who cooked and prepped the meal while I took the lead on cleaning. I felt that despite a few bumps (likely due to being hungry and tired), we worked quite well together as a team. Mitchel was especially helpful because he was really efficient at tying the tent stakes down and he was an excellent cook.
The hike to camp seemed to be much smoother than the hike back home. On the return trip, there were a lot of conflicting ideas being thrown around regarding the pace. Since I was at the back of the line, I was not able to do much except sit and observe how it would play out. There was a lot of arguing, but eventually we were able to figure out what worked best for the group and finished the hike home somewhat earlier than anticipated.
I never took a very direct leadership position on the trek, but I still offered forms of leadership at various times. There were a few times where I was in the middle of the group and ended up waiting for the tail end of the pack to catch up. I usually did this when at a fork in the road so I could lead them to the right path. As we set up our camp, I also took the initiative to help arrange our gear inside the tent. However, that arrangement didn’t last long because we ended up taking everything out to enjoy the clear sky and warm weather. In the morning, I took the lead on helping Thomas take down the tent and pack it up.
On the hike back home, I took a passive leadership position as the last person in the line. This position required me to “sweep” or ensure that nobody gets left behind if they need to step off the trail to get water, rest, or anything else. I say that it is a passive position because I am not actively setting the pace consistently checking up on other group members. I was usually quite a distance away from the rest of the group but keeping an eye out for any dropped items or stragglers.
