a day from hell

Day 4

things i learned:

1. even though you think you only have a 3.5 hour day, dont sleep in. you must take advantage of nice weather.

2. patagonia is a violent, unfriendly, wild beast.

the wind had really started to pick up as we left hosteria torres. we were going very slow up an extremely steep hill. you got used to watching and listening for the wind to brace yourself in hopes that you didnt get blown to the ground. i got really good at recognizing when the big gusts would come and sit on the ground with my head between my knees waiting for it to pass.

i was doing fine up until we got to this ridge. the wind was at least 80 km per hour by now. i turned the corner, hoping to find shelter, but instead finding what was to be my worst nightmare.

the wind was blowing so hard that the only way i could keep grounded was to clutch onto the rocks that were on my left. but as my hands were slipping, all i could see was the tremendous drop to my right that would plop me right into a large river some incredible distance down. i have never, ever been so scared in my entire life. i entered a state of panic because i felt that any step i took, forwards or backwards, would allow the wind to swipe me off my feet into the ravine. so i sat down and screamed. yes, productive i know. but through my tears, xavier gave me strength to move forward as he himself was slipping.

each step took every ounce of energy i had left. and after 30 min. of upmost perserverance, we reached campamento cuernos.

that experience has got to be one of the most traumatic experiences of my life and i would never wish that upon anyone in their entire lives.

3. know your limits.

after shaking for another couple of hours, i knew that i could not go forward to campamento torres. the wind had picked up even more, and so had the rain. trees were bending in ways they were never intended to. the howling that seeped through the wooden cabin was enough to make you shiver. i could not seem to get the imagine of being blown into the ravine out of my mind and the thought of having to go back over it the next day terrified me.

you are always told to know your limits and i knew that this was mine. it was a hard decision, but i knew it was the right one. i had already asked so much of myself and now i had to give myself a break.

4. know when you have been blessed.

we had met a really nice guy named layton on day 3 who actually had a room booked in cuernos for day 4. he was kind enough to take care of me while xavier continued to campamento torres. we had some lovely converstations and he let me curl up on his bed when i passed out at 8:30 pm. when i woke up in the middle of the night with fright he calmed me down and reassurred me that i would get out safely. just hearing the words was a great relief.