North Coast Trail Revelations

In grade 12, I had quite the experience with math. There are some people who are mathematically inclined. I, however, am not. I can do math, I'm just very slow. In todays age of "HURRY! HURRY HARRRRRRRD!", I am not in a position to do so when it comes to numbers. When people, such as my math teacher, ask me a mathematical problem, by the time I'm finished, they've solved it long ago, and as such tend to get frustrated.

Everyones brains work differently. What may make sense to you may not make sense to me, and what makes sense to me may not make sense to someone else and so forth. I can't describe the way my brain works, mostly because some of my logic is not considered "logical".

When it comes down to it at the end of the day, one of my largest struggles in grade 12 was faith. Not faith as in religion, but more having my teachers faith in me. I passed my classes, but didn't study hard enough. I excelled at what I liked, and let most other subjects slide significantly. I know I could have done much better, but hey, I'm not complaining about where I am now, thats for sure. However, the largest struggle for me was the lack of faith that my math teacher had in my ability.

The connections I would make while doing math did not satisfy my teacher as they did not make any logical sense, and the information she presented just didn't seem to click in my head. I'd do the steps, but there would be something different. Eventually my teacher said "If you follow someone else's steps, eventually you'll get somewhere". Finally hearing something that I had a response to, that wasn't the wrong numbers, I quipped "Unless you're following someone who has no clue what they're doing. Then you're just screwed".

I realize now that this was a moderately rude statement to make, but it has stuck with me. Life is a choice of paths. A lot of us are stuck following the path society has set out for us. High school, then post secondary, then out to the work force, potentially ending in a Masters, PHD, or Doctorate - The hallmark of an "achiever", not that there is anything wrong with this.

I have been fortunate enough to have my passions for music and the outdoors supported by my family. There were, and are, some times that I feel concerned that they don't take my chosen lifestyle, career path, or me seriously. However, this past expedition across the North Coast Trail changed my perspective on the way my family views me.

The North Coast Trail is a relatively new expedition, having only been open for about 3 years. This extension of the Cape Scott Trail is still very rough, and quite challenging. Like a cake, it has its foundation, the spongy allure of a brand new coastal hike, with its sea side camp sites and its stunning views. Keeping it on the healthy side is a decent portion of high steps, ropes, and stairs to help get up the steeper places, as well as a heavy hand of rock beaches at its middle. The icing - a thick spread of shoe gripping mud that can prove to be either a laugh or a loath. Finally, you have the candles - the majestic life of the coastal rain forest, one of Canada's greatest environmental gems.

This trip was, in theory, my training hike. My roles were to both be a participant, and an assistant to the guides. I felt this was very appropriate, as the trip was designed to be my dad's 60th birthday party. This would be the last time for 2 months that I would get a chance to see my dad and brothers, and it proved to be an amazing bonding experience. I always go out on trip and bring back stories and pictures for them, but this time it was not just my story, but our story.

Bumps, bruises, an epic fall from Ethan on the second day, it was great to see my brothers having fun in my office, and getting a hands on context for my current career path. I didn't realize how proud my family was of me, until the unthinkable happened - they started asking for help. This hasn't really happened before for me. Yes, I've helped with choosing gear and clothing, but asking for in context help is a huge step in my mind, and I appreciate the faith that my brothers and dad have in me. I hope some day they can actually see me as a guide, but to be honest, I think image of the youngest of the Arlette brothers, and the last baby to leave the nest, will be around forever.

Once we passed onto the Cape Scott Trail, we entered a land of well maintained, regularly traveled paths, and started to see many more people. As a guide, you get used to putting your social needs aside for those of your clients. I, however, am not at that point. At least, not when my family is involved. Love them to bits, but I do need my space every now and then. It was at our first camp site involving lots and LOTS of people where I met Tory, Laura, Amanda, and Steph. All current residents of Vancouver, they welcomed me into their social circle, and gave me a very welcome break from what would soon become the air I breath. I have been fortunate enough to visit with them since returning to Vancouver, and I do hope they know just how much of an amazing impact their kindness has had on me.

At the end of the day, the person that I need to work on having faith in me is, well, Me. People count on me to know the path, or at least have an Idea of where it is. I am the one they will follow - because I'm the one they trust to have a clue. I am starting to achieve an awareness of my place in this organization, but what I need is the guides mentality.

In closing, I'd like to amend my statement to my grade 12 math teacher:

-If you follow someone else's steps, you'll eventually get somewhere.

+ But if you choose your own, then you've earned your steps, and have paved the way for those who follow you.

"We all have the ability, the difference is how we use it. " -Stevie Wonder-