As far as elements go I have always had great respect for water. I appreciate its power in all forms: from a gentle drizzle to a howling Nor’easter, from puddles to oceans and rivers to streams. It’s some times a giver and others a taker. Constantly moving in a zero sum game, morphing from one form to the next. Spend anytime on a river and you begin to understand the power of the push and the pull, its predictability coupled with a fierce volatility that lurks just below the surface. Currents run deep.

Vince and I were backpacking up high in the Sierras on a father and son adventure. We had been climbing for most of the day when we came upon the “stream” crossing. Looked easy enough on the map through the eyes of a nine year old and his dad, just two small streams merging together high up amongst the rocks and rubble. Never gave it a second thought until we stood stream side, trying to figure out a way across.

I shouted to Vince above the roar of the rushing water, “IT’S FLOWING REALLY DEEP AND FAST!” I was one step across and having trouble holding my stance. The knee deep, ice-cold water was pushing me down stream, along with everything else in its path. Water will not be denied.

“ON THREE, STEP TOWARDS ME AND PLACE YOUR FEET ON MY FEET, ONE, TWO” he looked scared. “IF YOU FALL DON’T PANIC, I’M HOLDING ON TO THE BACK OF YOUR PACK”, he reached out a shaking hand, grabbed mine, and took a step. “EXCELLENT, NOW STEP BEHIND THAT ROCK AND PLANT A FOOT, I WILL FOLLOW RIGHT BEHIND YOU.” I could feel him tense up, working against the water. “PLANT YOUR FOOT, YOU NEED TO PLANT YOUR FOOT BEHIND THAT ROCK,” my words we rushed, just shy of panic. He stepped forward and landed waist deep mid-stream, shivering and surrounded by chaos. It was so loud the rest of the world faded away.

I stepped in behind him “OK, NOW, ONE MORE BIG STEP AND WE ARE GOOD TO GO. REMEMBER USE YOUR POLES, MAKE SURE YOU PLANT YOUR FOOT AND THEN PUSH HARD TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE!” He steps out. The hiking poles go first, then the right leg sweeps out, followed by the left leg. He is turned completely around as water rushes up and over his pack. He frantically digs his fingers into my arm. My weight shifts as I brace for the impact, one leg loses contact, my right hand grips the top of a rock searching for purchase. My left hand holds on to the top of his pack. My mind races.  Falling is not an option.

Nature can be scary. It take’s you so close to the edge when it forces a decision. And it happens so fast. The internal conversation rages on: don’t let go, can’t breath, make it stop, not today, help me, give me strength, head above water, let us live, let us go…

With one big pull I swing both of us out of the main channel and into a side pocket where we regain footing.  Maintain composure, “WOOHOO, ALMOST THERE!”  His look of panic changes to one of deep relief and accomplishment. “NICE WORK VINCE, NICE WORK!” We stand together on the other side, wet, cold, shaking, watching and searching in silence, full of awe and wonder. She can be scary sometimes, really, really, scary…

Onward, ever onward->