Author Archive

Here is a sampling of Alumni news between March 2008 and March 2009.

Stephen Kress Ashgrove, QLD: Moved to Australia (Brisbane). Trying to reach anyone who was at Langskib in 1974 or 75

Jason Farber Tenafly, NJ: 3 Children; 15, 4 and 2. Bought a new house in Tenafly, NJ in May of 2007. Just finishing up a MS in Accountancy & an MBA in management. Will be sitting for the CPA exam this summer. Hope all is well with everyone

Paul Park Brooklyn, NY: A poor cog in the wheel

Celine Lamb Oakland, CA: Masters in Mayan Archaeology at Universite Paris, playing volleyball for my school. Spending my summers excavating, wishing I had a bit more time to go back to NW!!

Nick Fournier Fair Oaks, CA: I was training for my first marathon when I broke my hip playing volleyball in 09/07. My hip is mostly healed and I hope to run a half marathon in 2009 and a marathon in 2010. I’ve gone back to school to major in dietetics/nutrition and would like to eventually work in sports nutrition.

Rick de Pena McAllen, TX: Registered Nurse, working at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA in the Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU. Traveling the world one trip at a time, hooked on traveling and adventure since my trip to Langskib when I was 11 yrs old (Viking group). I have done many trips since then and always acknowledge that what got me started or gave me the knowledge and attitude to do them was my first long adventure, Camp Langskib. I’ve ridden my Harley motorcycle to the Panama Canal in Central America. I’ve ridden it across the United States and back. I’ve ridden across Europe. I’ve been to Asia, and spent a month there, with a train ride from Singapore to Chiang Mai, Thailand, exploring and running trails throughout Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Any chance I get, I’m out exploring new places and seeking adventure. I love it.

John Wilkinson Rehoboth Beach, DE: Since I left camp, I graduated from high school, went to community college for two years and then finally found my calling as a bartender. I have been a bartender for ten years. I really enjoy what I do, meeting new people, hearing new stories, and sharing my sense of humor (some get it, some don’t, but most laugh along with me anyway). I’m engaged to Michelle and we live at the beach. We are in the process of buying a house. Pretty scare in this day and age. Life is fun and good. I still try and live my life by keeping the red side down. Never would have thought that statement would apply to so much in life but it really does. Unfortunately we lost a very important part of my family in Feb. I did get to see Dave and it felt good to see him.

Paul Park Brooklyn, NY: just another cog in the wheel. If anyone is ever in NYC drop me a line.

Colman Crowther Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Live at the Jersey shore and work in Manhattan. 2 kids Jack (3) and Olivia (6). Very active on the water. Love to fish, surf, and golf. Have a small center console and yes an Old Town Canoes. Remember all the good times. Hope to visit Temagami area in the future. Hope everyone is healthy. Maybe someday my kids can enjoy the wonderful experience of your camp.

Richard Miles Goodview, VA: Playing hockey!

Mark Last Haverford, PA: Living life as an experienced “survivalist” in the big city! I reside in Brooklyn, NY.

Erik Knudsen Wilmington, DE: Husband, father, friend, bungee trampoline tycoon

Devon Carson St. Charles, IL: I graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles in 2006 with a degree in Theatre. I’ve been acting and working various jobs in the entertainment industry, and just moved to Chicago in spring 08. I live with my boyfriend Adam who is a musician in the band Searching for Sunlight. Please contact me on myspace or by email–I would love to hear from you!

Sarah Brown Fort Smith, AR: I am in Drama and it is GREAT!!! I am riding motorcycles now and am getting better and better.

Bruce Blackstone Tucson, AZ: I have been on a path for the last few years of discovering my true gender and true sexuality and have come to identify as two-spirited. I belong to a tribe of people who engage in primitive rites as a means of transformation and self-knowledge. I regularly lead workshops. I speak at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Pima College. I also play in a transgender rock and roll band as well as a conventional rock and roll band. My experiences at NWL changed my life. I found my first experiences of profound surrender there, and began finding and illuminating my own darkness there.

Harry Wilmer Alexandria, VA: Working in the DC area and missing NWL

Jascha Kehr Mainz, Germany: Residency in Pediatrics at the University of Mainz, Germany

Bitsy Perlman Cos Cob, CT: After graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon School in 2002 and Carleton College in 2006 I moved to Washington DC to work for the Federal Reserve Board. I am currently working there as a research assistant and applying to econ PHD programs. Between work and taking classes I’m trying to connect with my feminist and nonviolent sensibilities. This project is, I think, a bit stalled out.

Guy Coby Quakertown, PA: My wife, two daughters and I live on a horse farm in Quakertown, PA. I have an orthodontic practice in Quakertown and teach part-time at the University of Pennsylvania. I haven’t put a canoe in to the water for a few years but a summer doesn’t go by that I don’t remember and appreciate my Northern experience. I would enjoy getting back in touch with David Knudsen.

Johannes Courtens Kinderhook, NY: I am graduating high school this year and I plan on going on to college next school year. I have also been in a high school based vocational school for becoming a private pilot for which I hope to then carry on to a possible carrier. Besides all that adult and societal stuff I have been quite content with my life recently. I have been thinking a lot about the Canadian North and Temagami which means only one thing, that I have to take a trip up there again, though it may not happen as soon as I would like it to.

Ian Mason Korea: is living in Korea and loves his job teaching kindergarten and elementary school students.

By: Justin Portugaise, Langskib Alumni

The most important thing that you take home with you from Langskib, the most important learning, is a certain ideal. It is the ideal that you must live your life on your terms, and that you can control who you are through the strength within you. The habits formed there, those of being self-sufficient, not having to depend on others, to take initiative, and to appreciate what you have, will not fundamentally change you as a person. You won’t come home and live your life the way you lived it there; you will, naturally, succumb to laziness and come to depend on the luxuries that surround you, you will begin to take for granted those things that seem most basic to you (such as a roof over your head, having food readily at hand at all times). You will revert, to a degree, back to your old ways, but you will also retain the ideals. You will remember how you can live; how good a person you are and how much you can influence and help those around you. You will remember that there is beauty in everything, be it rain and thunderstorms or sunshine, or being able to stay warm inside your house while cold and damp looms just outside. You will learn to appreciate the simple and small over the grand and complex; such a small thing as a burst of sunlight through clouds, dew on grass in a perfectly still, peaceful morning, the way colours spread like fire across the blue at sunset and the sky becomes the most dazzling canvas you’ve ever known, only to cede the heavens to the stars, who burn a million comforting fires to dot and warm the blackness of infinity. It is this that Langskib teaches you, and its students, blessed in their learnings, begin to realize that the simplest things can make all the difference the world will ever know.

By: Michael Woo, Excalibur participant 2006

I was excited about going to summer camp for the first time. I felt a little bit nervous, too, because I’d be away from home for two weeks and I didn’t know what to expect. I had a long list of items to bring with me. Into my large duffel bag I put a water bottle, iodine tablets, clothes, shoes, two flashlights, sunglasses, sunblock, a good book, a sleeping bag, and many other things.

At about 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, July 29th, I waited with my mom and dad at Lakeland Airways in Temagami. It was warm and sunny. Other kids from down south and the United States were there, too. We were waiting to get flown to Langskib Base Camp. The Beaver float plane made three trips. The first two trips carried campers. The third trip carried our luggage. I flew in on the first trip. I think I had the best view because I was allowed to sit beside the pilot. During the twenty minutes it took to make the flight I saw so much – islands, lakes, trees, boats traveling on the water, cottages and boathouses along the shoreline. I even saw a bear on an island. I saw how big Lake Temagami is and how busy it is in the summertime.

When we got off the plane at Langskib Island the staff welcomed us. The first thing we did was to begin to get to know each other. We got in a circle and played some name games. Then we brought our belongings to the cabins. We swam and fished at the dock before supper. Our first meal was home-cooked chicken and rice. It was delicious. After supper we fished and swam some more before we went to bed. It was a perfect evening in base camp.

Monday, July 30th, was another warm, sunny day. We got up at 7 a.m. After breakfast we were taught about canoes – how to pick up and carry a canoe, how to portage, and how to paddle using different paddle strokes. We were also taught how to handle the gear we’d be using on our ten-day canoe trip. We learned how to pack it in the wanigans. Then we were divided into canoe groups. We played a game called “Manhunt”. It was a mixture of hide-and-seek and tag. That game took us all over Langskib Island.

Mike Jarvis, our program director, told us the story of the sword, “Excalibur”. He compared the canoe trip we’d be taking to two kinds of journeys, an outer journey and an inner journey. He said that our outer journey would take us through lakes, cliff-jumping, camping and portaging. He explained that our inner journey would be about learning to get along with each other and helping each other with chores and hard jobs. Mike told us that learning to keep going when things get hard or uncomfortable is also part of the inner journey. He explained that kindness is part of strength and love is part of courage, and that every man needs to combine these four qualities.

My group was the youngest group. We were all ten and eleven years old. For our ten-day canoe trip my group had three leaders, seven boys and five canoes. On Tuesday, July 31st, we packed only what we really needed in the wanigans. Our first campsite was at the Lower Sharp Rock Inlet Narrows. Then we headed east from Lake Temagami and portaged into Ferguson Lake. My first portage was a disaster because I forgot to bring my insect repellant with me. For a while I felt very sad and homesick. But after this first portage I started to feel better because our leaders encouraged us. The encouragement that helped me the most was, “Never say I can’t, always say I can”.

Our second portage was from Ferguson Bay into Kokoko Lake. We made our campsite at a point on Kokoko Lake. Then we did some swimming, fishing, canoeing, and relaxed. We slept in a big ten-person tent each night. I started to really enjoy the canoe trip.

At our Kokoko Bay campsite we found our treasure hunt map and the clues that would help us during the next three days while we paddled all over to find our treasure. Our program director, Mike, met us at this campsite. We traded our small canoes for one large voyageur canoe. In it we traveled as a group to find our treasure.

On our treasure hunt we explored the south arm of Lake Temagami, passed Bear Island and Rabbit Nose Island to reach the north arm of the lake. We made our fourth campsite here on the shore and searched for more clues. The clues told us to go to Devil Mountain, Secret Lake, and then to Seal Rock. We made our fifth campsite at Seal Rock.

Next we headed to Hush Hush Lake in our voyageur canoe. We found more clues which told us our treasure might be at the Lower Narrows. When we reached the Lower Narrows campsite our clue told us to find our treasure only at midnight, the “Dead of Night”. Mike met us again at this campsite. As a treat to reward us for safe canoeing and doing a good job of meeting the challenges of the trail, he brought us more food.

At midnight we hunted for our treasure. We started out using a flaming torch but it fell off the stick into a creek so we had to use our individual headlights. We found our treasure in an ammo box – it was filled with a lot of really cool stuff for the group. We sorted through it and shared everything.

The day after our treasure hunt we headed back to Langskib Base Camp. We had a great meal of tacos. Then we shared our experiences on the canoe trip. By nighttime I felt really homesick for the second time because I started thinking about what I missed my mom and dad, the restaurant, and even the washroom at home. I overcame my homesickness again.

The morning of Friday, August 10th, we cleaned ourselves up at base camp and put on clean clothes. We had a gift exchange. I exchanged my camp knife that had a can opener and other tools on it for a white whittling crystal.

Friday afternoon we left Langskib Base Camp by barge. About halfway to Northwaters Base Camp we transferred to a voyageur canoe so that we could paddle to the Northwaters dock. When we arrived there we were given a hero’s welcome by the staff, our parents, friends, and all those noisy girls from the Northern Lights program. I was surprised to see my mom and dad. They came to the Northwaters Base Camp to meet me and stay for the barbecue party to celebrate the second-last day of camp. My mom and dad said that I looked a bit different. My skin was darker from the sunshine. I looked thinner, stronger, and very happy to them.

After the barbecue all of the campers were given a chance to tell stories about the funniest and most challenging parts of our canoe trip. To end the party we entertained everyone. We had taken a song by the Beatles, called “The Yellow Submarine” and changed it into a song we called “The Big Red Canoe”. After we sang that song, we performed a hip-hop dance that one of our campers, Max, had taught us. At the end of the celebration we were given two choices. We could stay overnight or go by boat to the Manitou Landing with our parents and go home. I chose to go home.

For me, the best part of the canoe trip was the treasure hunt. It was so much fun. The whole camp experience was great for me because I learned so many new things. I learned how to canoe, portage, pitch a tent, read a map, cook outdoors, and how to face my homesickness. I made lots of new friends. I learned a new custom, too. While we were on our ten-day canoe trip we met many different groups of canoeists, motor boats, and houseboats. I waved to everyone I saw because our leaders told us that waving is a custom on the water when you meet people.

I took a 27 -picture disposable camera to camp. Sixteen of the pictures turned out. They’re good souvenirs of my Langskib experience. My coup (pronounced ‘coo’) stick is a very special souvenir. I made my coup stick when we were on our canoe trail. We found sticks in the firewood pile. We carved them and added designs. Then we wrapped our coup sticks with red sashes. The red sashes remind us that we’re brothers of Langskib and we’ll always be bonded together. I’ll keep my coup stick always. It reminds me of my coups – what I learned to do as a Langskib camper, what I learned to overcome, and the friends I made.

We picked up our son in Ottawa yesterday all worried about how the weather had affected his stay at camp and the first words out of his mouth were “I wish I was staying longer”. On our 2 hour ride back home he did not stop talking and when we arrived I realized that he had not one complaint, not even about the weather! He loved his experience, the scenery, the activities, the staff, the quest and the food! He loved it all! He definitely wants to come back next summer. Your camp offered exactly what your literature stated and more!

Thank you and your colleagues for your wonderful work. I sent you a participant that was both apprehensive and eager in my daughter. You returned to me a strong happy and confident young woman who was experiencing the best qualities of self determination and confidence. She was better able to deal with all the dynamics of her stepfamily and sharing very uniquely with her father…She presented maturity that seemed new to me, I attribute it to her greater sense of self that you guided her to. Her stories were brimming with learning and lessons of life through adventure.

My sons have been coming up over the past 6 years and have loved their experiences. I am so overjoyed at the growth that they have experienced through their adventures with Langskib. I think you folks do an amazing job and it is clear that it is a passion for you.

My grandson recently attended Langskib for a three week wilderness and canoeing experience. As his grandmother, I was fortunate to be with his mum and sister at Northwaters to see him return from that trip and what a wonderful sight it was – one I shall never forget. Since returning home he has shared and shared his experiences with us. He loved not just every moment and all the adventures but the beauty of all he saw. He took about 200 photographs and we have looked again and again at each one. He spent days putting them in an album and we spent hours going through each one before writing a caption. His favorite photos are of beautiful sunsets upon calm waters – they are quite amazing. He is so proud and happy to have participated, and I thank you not only for all the hard work you put into such ventures, but for your respect towards these young people and the relationship you build with them.

My daughter arrived back home this week after her adventures with you all at Northwaters and I can honestly say I have never seen her look so happy.  Not always forthcoming about her doings,  she didn’t stop telling me about her experiences non stop for two days.   She found something very certain in herself on this trip, a strengthening in her fabric, which shines through all the stories.  Thank you so much to you and your colleagues and to her clearly wonderful trip leaders.

Thank you so very much not only for encouraging my son to enjoy and cherish his Langskib experience but mostly for the care, kindness and conscience that allowed him to flourish and grow through it. When he arrived home I couldn’t find the off switch for him and his wondrous tales, and I loved every moment of the tellings. My son returned home to me a better ‘man’ able to face new challenges with his teeth firmly to the wind!

The reason I sent my son to Langskib was because, if the literature was true, then it echoed my feelings on raising a boy—the idea of boy/man culture, mentoring, camaraderie, task-orientation and physical exertion. And as you, his dad and I are divorced, and, unfortunately, his father doesn’t represent the greatest male role-model—he’s more of a buddy to the kids than a dad. I wanted my son to go and see that there was more than one way to “be a man.” I was so excited on our drive up to Temagami for the BBQ; I could barely sleep the night before. The boat ride to the island. Waiting on the island. It was like Christmas. When you guys finally arrived, and I saw my son on the boat soaking wet my heart just swelled up. We both cried while we hugged each other tighter than ever before. I don’t think that moment will ever be forgotten. It was so awesome to see him in the camp environment—to see him interacting with his mates and his Leaders. On our way home we talked about how he got his Coo Feathers (which are now framed and hanging on his wall), his solo (thank you for giving the kids that opportunity, it was really special), his leaders, the rain (and the value of a good rain coat), canoeing, camping, cooking, his mates, what he learned, everything and nothing. We talked about how some of what he learned could be applied to life and school; how some people have already talked to him about really committing himself to get things done, and how it is all connected. In an effort to really learn these lessons, I told him he had to raise $100 to put towards his camp tuition next year. He put together a business plan—he’s getting people’s mail / watering plants / cat sitting/ fish sitting while people are away. At this point he’s already raised $255 with three jobs pending. I’ve really noticed a difference in him this year—he seems more determined to do his best at school instead of what he needs to do to get by. He’s starting to see that hard work really pays off—and sometimes the best pay off is a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

I am sorry that it has taken us so long to respond to the amazing experience that our son had. It was hard to put it into words, he returned to us quite changed, but in a powerful and mysterious way. We did make a place in our life for him to tell his story and he did say a great deal about the trip, mostly about the fun he had. But, I felt that he had withheld so much and couldn’t yet speak about it. With time though, it has slowly come from him. How it was the most important thing he feels that he has ever done; how he could begin high school with more sensitivity toward others and with more initiative; how he isn’t the ‘baby’ (a role he had guarded) of our family anymore; how his occasional adolescent cynicism can be reached with communication (this is still difficult though); how life isn’t just about ‘hanging out’. Thank you for this precious opportunity to grow that you have created for these young people. We are so grateful to you.

Both my husband and I have seen a notable, positive change in our daughter. She always talks most favorably about her experience at Northwaters, remarking how it was a life changing experience and one that gave her great inner and spiritual strength. She loved her trip leaders and still holds them in high esteem as wonderful role models. Our daughter often relates the life lessons learned at camp with present day challenges and recognizes the value of her experience then and her life now. Her teachers at school this year have noted a boost in confidence in her approach to her academics.

My daughter arrived home this morning and she is positively on cloud nine.  This was such a great experience for her.  Each year she feels stronger and more confident.  It is a feeling I hope she can hold on to throughout the year. I just wanted to thank you, her leaders and your staff.   She loved Laura and Lucy, her leaders.  She has wonderful stories about their capable and caring leadership.  Also, your staff at the airport was so supportive and helpful when the flights were canceled.  Matt, in particular, was very gracious in dealing with my concerned phone calls.

I picked up my daughter from London Heathrow airport last Tuesday – she’d spent 2 weeks after the Bay trip with her Dad and sisters in Wisconsin.  I want to thank you so much for once again enabling her to have a fantastic and life-enhancing experience (even including the black fly bites!).  And also to again thank Deepwater for making it possible financially.  She seems full of life and clearly her love for her fellow trippers and her leaders is profound.  Her summers with Northwaters have run like a thread through her teenage years, connecting her to the outdoors, the wild world, to adventure and to that strong and doughty side of herself she would certainly not have found in her life at home.  Each trip has brought it’s particular new notch of awareness and this time she used the word ‘spiritual’ for the first time.

My son has absolutely loved his experiences at Langskib. He talks about it all the time. He’s always planning for his next adventure there. Thank you so much for providing him with such amazing experiences.

My daughter has returned home and is full of great stories of her adventures and is very much looking forward to returning next year. Thank you for taking such great care of her. The only things she says she didn’t like about the trip was the spider in the thunder box and the mosquitoes!! And when we were waiting for her baggage at baggage claim at SFO, she proudly stated that SHE could carry her own bag because it was WAY lighter than what she was used to carrying!  Soooo cute! Thanks so much!!

Thanks for providing such an amazing experience for all of my children (my 7 year old Nicholas is counting the summers until he can attend). And thank you the BBQ and celebration we were able to attend – it wasn’t just awesome, but my husband and I were both filled with awe. As he mentioned on the way back, those kids were patterning for us, and certainly giving them words and actions that have never been a part of their life.

Just wanted to thank you for all of your correspondence and let you know that my daughter had a wonderful time. We have had several lovely chats about her trip and she thinks you both are such wonderful people. She also repeatedly felt a sense of community and family throughout her stay.

I wanted to thank you again for the special pick up for our son.  He said that on the second morning of his trip he asked to go home, he still felt that sick.  Once he felt better he was so very glad he stayed.  He had the most wonderful time, really enjoyed all the challenges, making new friends, and was very proud of his achievements.  He came back to us on a real high. So thank you for a great camp experience and hopefully he will be able to participate on one of your trips next year.  He is already looking forward to it.

Although it has been weeks since we have been at Northwaters, we still think of and talk about that beautiful place every day. When we arrived in Temagami, we were caught off-guard by the staggering beauty of the lake and the incomparable strength of the young women at base camp. The sensory experience of seeing the camp, hearing the experiences and stories, feeling the power, strength and self-confidence radiate from the young women in our daughters group, and tasting not only the wonderful food, but the atmosphere of the camp was almost overwhelming. I found myself having to leave the camp and go look out on the lake and compose myself. My husband felt the same way. We never knew the extent of the power of the experience that our daughter has had each year. Stories tell only part of the adventure-the rest has to be seen and experienced. Although we were only at Temagami for a short time, it had left a lasting impression. We will be back for a longer visit to fully appreciate what the lake has to offer and to enjoy what our daughter has come to believe as her sanctuary from her ‘regular’ life. Each year, you thank us for entrusting our daughters to you. It is our turn to thank you for offering this demanding and unique experience that makes each girl dig deep within themselves and begin to appreciate the depth of spirit and strength that they possess.

Recently, my son was asked by his teachers if he would share with his classmates about his trip. He did this wholeheartedly and what amazement it brought to everyone! He has been so satisfied with his trip and we have loved hearing him tell about it. We REALLY loved coming to the barbeque and meeting all of you. What a wonderful and beautiful place! I am so glad that our son has had the opportunity to be there. Thank you so much for all that you do, it is such a precious deed.

Our son had an amazing time with your group — he is so inspired. Thanks for all that you provide and do.

By: Tyler Hargreaves, NWL Staff and Alumni

We left the campsite on the last set of the river and paddled through a light rain to where the Dumoine meets the Ottawa. The last ten days on the river had been filled with great adventure, grinning amusement and grim adversity. And with magic. At fifteen, getting cut free from ordinary life for three weeks doesn’t always sound like a win-win offer. Yet the mood that hung over the canoes, and was pulled reluctantly along with us to the end of the river, was one of solemn resignation. Luke, our leader turned and said “The land’s crying because we’re leaving it.”

On the face of it, it sounded like a somewhat ridiculous proposition. One which aimed at mitigating the assault our morale was suffering from both the weather and the fact that soon we’d spend our days somewhere rain wouldn’t bother us much. But it still felt right. The land was crying because we were leaving. For the last little while, we’d formed a happy partnership the land and us. We set out to discover and enjoy it, and it not only made us welcome but awed us with grace and beauty. It made sense that the sadness felt reciprocated.

After crossing the Ottawa, we made our way up to the baseball field that was our pickup point. We made camp there only steps from an unfamiliar highway and a gas station selling mediocre sandwiches. You wouldn’t mistake that spot for anywhere else we had spent time at since leaving basecamp weeks earlier.

We spent our last night on that gravel field in an emotional denouement. Despite its bland man-made origins, the baseball diamond manifested a special energy while we occupied it. The excitement and danger of the trip had dissipated, but in its place arose the camaraderie of those who have endured hardship and joy together. We sat around the fire savouring each other’s company and a last evening of sharing jokes, retelling stories, and binding ties.

More than ten years later, the diamond is a jewel of my youth. And as I’ve slid along the curves of time, I’ve learnt that the diamond won’t stay safely locked in the memories of that summer. It won’t because the foggy geography of my fifteen year-old mind has given way to a breezy familiarity with the roads and places of Northern Ontario. The diamond sits on the highway that runs between Temagami and Ottawa, my hometown. I’ve driven by it countless times. It sits only three hours from my front door. And I’ve returned since, either leading my own group of fifteen year olds or picking up someone else’s. But the flawless diamond that I reveled on at fifteen has disappeared, replaced by a forgettable, dull grey, small-town Ontario baseball field. Passing it now, I look over the wilting fence and dusty spot where I think our fire burnt and wonder if those memories are tied to real events or just part of a vivid imagination. Either way, as they slip backwards and shimmer with time, I remain grateful.

By: Shane Levine, NWL Staff

I had long been pondering the possibility of taking a year off from school. When CG called to offer me a job working post season at NWL, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity, so I submitted my leave of absence forms to school, relegated my books to a dusty shelf, and headed up to NWL for three and half months.

Soon I was waste deep in moose muck with a group of mischievous Vikings. Later I paddled the Dumoine with an outstanding group of young adults, and managed to swamp on the first torrential wave train (or was it a gigantic hole?) of Big Steel with Forest Jarvis. During post season I Zenned out while staining the dining hall at Northwaters, and had a jolly good time tripping with a number of school groups. But all too soon it was time to leave NWL and head back to Seattle.

When I got home, the question inevitably arose, “What should I do now?” For a few days I felt bored and discouraged; maybe I shouldn’t have taken a year off after all. Luckily, I received an E-mail from my best friend Michael in Israel. His plans to join the Israeli military were delayed, so he had some extra time on his hands. He suggested that we hike the Shvil Yisrael: a trail stretching from the northern to the southern tip of Israel. “Let’s do it!” I proclaimed, and before I could say “peace out” I was on a flight to Israel.

Twenty hours and eleven time zones later I arrived at the Tel Aviv airport with boots on my feet and an enormous Arc’Teryx pack on my back. Michael and I didn’t waste time; we went shopping, divided up the gear, and hopped on a bus heading to the northern tip of Israel. As I stepped down from the air-conditioned bus and into the blazing hot sun, I felt the need to evoke Lao Tzu’s immortal aphorism: The journey of a thousand miles (in our case, six hundred) begins with a single step. And with that, I took my first step.

Sadly, my lofty feelings of inspiration began to wane as bulbous blisters broke out on my feet and severe soreness set in. At the end of the first day, I unclipped my pack and collapsed onto the ground like a rickety house of cards. I then realized that the trail was going to be much harder than I had anticipated. But each day we grew a little bit stronger.

On day six, we started off hiking through a picturesque canyon filled with thick vegetation. For a while we cheerfully herded a group of cows (later dubbed “the cow brigade”) through the canyon. But then it started to rain and the trail led us into an extremely muddy stream. After about two hours of slogging through ankle-deep mud, we encountered a quivering bush, at which point we stopped and waited for a big friendly cow to emerge. But, to our horror, out came a monstrous beast-pig with menacing tusks and rippling muscles!

“Dude! It’s a hog!” Michael whispered frantically. I froze, and my heart started thumping wildly in my chest. The boar also froze, but then started thundering right towards us. It charged into a patch of bushes and continued to blaze its warpath in our direction. I thought that the rampaging hog was about to slaughter us both. But the beast just ran past us and disappeared. Apparently, it was more scared of us than we were of it!

After the hog incident, the rain started to dissipate and we came to the end of the canyon. There stood a mighty pillar of rock, which humbled us both. Deep down I knew that it had been standing eons before I came into existence, and that it would continue to stand long after I was gone—regardless of whether the hog had taken me out or not. I realized this, of course, when there were no ferocious oinkers in sight. If another beast had appeared, I’m sure that my delicate existential insight would have been promptly replaced by brute fear.

But the realization lost its oomph anyways as we trekked 20 grueling miles that day. The sweat and tears were well worth it though, for in the end we arrived at a beautiful town called Tiberius, where we rested the following day. In the morning I awoke to a box of pastries that Michael, in all his sainthood, had taken the liberty to purchase while I dozed. I bit into a chocolaty, frittery delight and was instantly transported into another dimension. The rainstorms, the mud, and long days on the trail magnified the pleasure I derived from a simple pastry into a near religious experience.

About three weeks and a million burnt calories later, we arrived at the Negev Desert, which is one of the most physically empty, but spiritually full places I have ever had the privilege of traveling through. In the beginning we had to carry two days worth of water (about ten Nalgenes each) and six days worth of food. We climbed into, and out of, enormous craters, and did a fair amount of “carbolet”—walking along the narrow tops of giant fins of rock that usually constitute the perimeter of a crater. We averaged around twenty miles a day in the desert, thanks to the previous four hundred miles that pounded us into shape.

Needless to say, the Negev was extremely demanding. But underneath the toil was deep beauty; everyday was filled with countless panoramic views and immense skies. And just as the terrain itself was essentially empty, at the end of the day, my mind was similarly quite empty. Most people treat the idea of losing one’s mind as a bad thing, but I’ve found that when I lose mine I don’t miss it very much.

After about ten days, we popped out of the harsh mountainous landscape and onto the shores of the Red Sea; the hike was over. We gave a hoot and holler, jumped into the sea, and basked in a few moments of unpolluted pride. “Well, that was cool. What next?” I said in jest.

The most fitting synopsis of my adventure as a whole—and perhaps of the adventure in general—comes from the great nature writer Colin Fletcher:

There is nothing like a wilderness journey for rekindling the fires of life. Simplicity is part of it. Cutting the cackle. Transportation reduced to leg- or arm-power, eating irons to one spoon. Such simplicity, together with sweat and silence, amplify the rhythms of any long journey, especially through unknown, untattered territory. And in the end such a journey can restore an understanding of how insignificant you are—and thereby set you free.