Our team’s three llamas–Coon, Crescent, and Cirque–were humming non-stop; they were apprehensive about crossing a frigid mountain stream for the second time that day, emphasizing the point with periodic head-butts to our backpacks. I was on a week-long National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Executive Leadership expedition in the Wind River Range, Wyoming, where I was learning about leadership and wilderness survival. Five llamas accompanied our trek, easing our loads by carrying up to 75 pounds of gear. In return, we did our best to avoid terrain with large boulders or gaps between rocks where a llama could break a spindly leg.
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Cirque and Ranger in the cushing position
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The vistas were spectacular, despite unseasonable rain. At times, mist partially obscured the mountains around us, adding drama and depth to the layers of trees and granite along each mountain slope. Halfway through the hike, we departed the well-marked trails for true wilderness, where paper maps and compasses were our only navigation tools. As one of two Designated Leaders that day, I was responsible for guiding my team of five people and three llamas to the next campsite safely. One instructor, Ellie, would accompany us in case we needed help. We gave Carlos–the other Designated Leader–and his team a head start, to allow independent navigation between the two teams. As my team finished loading the llamas, I warned, “The sky is looking pretty black towards our next campsite. Let’s make sure our rain gear is handy.” As we departed camp, the weather was a cool 45 degrees and dry, but I kept a wary eye on the sky.
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Bridger showing off his good side
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That day, each team would choose one of two approaches to the next camp–one flat but likely very wet and the other dry but potentially very steep. With my boots finally dry from an earlier water crossing, I hoped for the dry route. Unfortunately, a steady, drenching rain began around noon . Navigation became impossible, with fog and rain obscuring our key terrain features, so I enlisted Ellie’s expert navigation skills. We sloshed through marshy trails for what felt like hours, soaked to the bone. Our aversion to wet feet became moot. Assessing our risks, including the distance to camp and the potentials for hypothermia or for injury on the slick rocks, Ellie and I agreed that the persistent cold rain posed our greatest threat. The double stream crossing was the quickest route to camp and I was confident we would get everyone warm and dry in short order. The first crossing went well, with minimal complaints from the llamas. About twenty minutes later, just as we found the second crossing point, my tent-mate Ginger exclaimed, “Look! Carlos and his llama just crested the hill across the stream, like the Lone Ranger and his steed. We must be close to camp!”
Carlos’s team was making camp just downstream. We were so close, only the stream between us and warm, dry clothes! The current was much swifter here, with many more slippery rocks; one misstep could easily lead to a broken leg. We found a point where a small grassy island split the stream into two smaller 15-foot wide runs. I had previously experienced a similar team-building exercise, so I knew just how to organize the crew in a game of leap-frog. Ellie and I posted up midway between the banks and the island, where we could provide steadying hands as each teammate navigated the wet, slippery rocks to firmer ground. Coon was not thrilled to cross first, and tried to step back onto Ginger’s foot; Ginger took that as her cue to cross with Crescent instead. After seeing his buddy crossing, Coon insisted it was his turn next and practically dragged Katie across the stream. Aaron and Cirque were last, before Ellie and I followed.
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Holly feeding Crescent
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| Holly with Crescent, just before the first stream crossing. |
We encountered many other challenging moments in our journey, like descending a steep snow field at 11,000 feet, but none that captured the elements of leadership and teamwork like this soggy stream crossing. That evening, wearing our driest clothes and hot beverages in hand, we reflected on the day. Aaron exclaimed happily that the stream crossing was the highlight of his trip and I had to agree. In keeping my cool under the pressure of the day and enlisting the help of an expert at just the right moments, I led my team through some of the most challenging moments of our trek while keeping our spirits high and concreting our bonds, strengthened by adding a bit of water to the mix.
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