The Things I Carried

The thing I carried on my Outward Bound hiking trip tell a lot about what kind of experience I had. I brought with me both tangible and intangible items.  I had to buy new clothes made of synthetic materials that were waterproof.  A toothbrush and deodorant were the only hygiene products I had with me.  The new clothes and toiletries would only keep me warm and clean. In this hiking trip we used maps, flashlights, and compasses to find our way. We had to hike about five miles each day in order to make it to our destination where we would obtain new supplies. Each night we set up camp under the tarps and slept in our sleeping bags. It’s amazing how a long day of hiking could transform a sleeping bag into the world’s comfiest bed. These are just a few of the essential material things I carried. The intangibles, however, were just as important. Eleven people I had never met before joined me on this trip, so its safe to say that people skills were certainly required. Although they began as strangers, we ended as best friends. I brought an open mind to this trip, which allowed me to listen to other people’s unique point of views.  The trip was two weeks long. It took a lot of perseverance and motivation to make it to the end (which not everyone did). This expedition is probably the coolest thing I have ever done and I certainly would not have been able to do it with out the things I carried. My belongings and attitudes were equally important to survive this two-weeklong hike and they certainly help paint the picture of my experience.