At the start of my second year at Cal Poly, I decided to make the commitment to join Poly Escapes.
I spent my freshman year experiencing a variety of organizations: real food collaborative, Chi Omega, nutrition club, club water polo, Cal Poly Chocolates Enterprise. Every organization was special in its own way, but, after spending the summer after my freshman year working at Camp Jack Hazard, I was reminded how much I loved working in the wilderness. Two of my roommates and I decided we would all sign up for the Poly Escape's training program. One of the first requirements to become a leader is to go on two trips as a participant. My friend and I signed up for the High Sierra Lightweight trip. The goal for this trip is to pack a base weight of 12 pounds and hike 17 miles to lake Hamilton on Saturday and hike 17 miles back out on Sunday. At this point of time, the most miles I had ever backpacked was about 4 miles in and 4 miles back out. Needless to say, as the trip date approached I was becoming increasingly nervous. To make matters more worrisome, my friend could no longer attend. There I was, a beginner backpacker, a unsettled second year, trying to prove myself worthy of being a trip leader but really feeling utterly nervous about how I was being perceived. I decided, Nope! Not going to happen. I started to make excuse after excuse, I made commitments for that weekend so I could get out of the trip. I relaxed a bit with the decision made. I told myself it was better to experience an easier backpacking trip with poly escapes And then my phone rang. "Hello?" "Hi Ashley. This is Nancy." Oh no.. I had not met the infamous Nancy yet but I knew she was not someone you want on your bad side if you were planning on being a trip leader. She was the outdoor recreation coordinator. She is a badass. She is the boss. I can happily say that I now have a great relationship with Nancy, but at the time I was the insignificant second year-wanna be trip leader-that cancelled participation for a trip that needed participants in order for it to go out. "Hi Nancy. What can I do for you?" "Well Ashley, I see that you have put in a cancellation request for the High Sierra Lightweight trip. This does not look very good if you want to progress in the co leader program" "Yea Nancy.. I made other commitments for that weekend though" "Can you tell them you cannot attend" "Well yea I can do that" "Okay think about that and let me know if you change your mind. Remember you made a commitment to this trip first and as a co-leader you need two trips before you can become a trip leader" "Alright I will go" just stop torturing me!!! So I went. And you know what? It still remains one of my favorite Poly Escape trips. The trail traces along the mountain ridge and cascading granite leaves your speechless. The physical demand of the trip was difficult, but I did it! To my surprise, I wasn’t the only one huffing and puffing and fixing blisters. We all preserved through it as a group. We got the unique experience to hike half of the trail on Sunday solo. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed or need a pick me up, I close my eyes and I picture the first few steps of the solo hike with the morning sun rays beaming on my skin, I taste the mountain air and see the colossal granite walls surrounding me. It was the perfect first Poly Escape trip for me. I am feeling extra reminiscent of the trail because in just a few weeks I am signed up to lead a group of participants on what may be their first lightweight backpacking. It's amazing to come full circle.
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