DAY SIX – Colorado Expedition

TENT | DESERT OASIS CAMPGROUND | Dawn

Yesterday was a long long day.

The original plan had been to do climbing and rappelling on some of the rock faces around Como Lake. But Randy, a diabetic, has become progressively worse in his sick condition. He has not been able to keep down food or fluids of any kind, even to the point of avoiding both. This has frustrated many of us concerned about his health. He has been shivering and dry-heaving (as well as puking) regularly, and frankly, he has not been hisself, many times to the point of non-compliance and hostility. Something has been wrong. It has baffled all of us… even Brian from New Frontiers, who is both a diabetic and an E.M.T.

The other part of the equation has been Randy’s blood sugar levels which have been irregular, at best. We are not sure how much (or even if any of this) is a consequence of his blood sugar.

All of that to say, rather than stay at Como Lake and descend off the mountain today, the decision was made to do an evacuation yesterday (hence no journal entry). We were becoming very afraid for Randy’s health as well as his ability to walk off the mountain. It would be nearly impossible to carry someone down from the mountain so we decided it best to leave a day early in hopes that Randy would be able to walk out on his own.

It was SLOW going,

Randy had to stop every hundred feet or so to rest. We’d taken his pack from him and distributed its contents among the group. I was carrying his drinking cup, as I recall.

Our other medical situation (yes, there was another) was Gary. He was having extreme back pain to due muscle spasms which left him barely able to walk.

We had prayed that morning that someone on an ATV would stop, show kindness, and carry Randy down the mountain. He was headed to a hospital as soon as we could get him down, and the sooner the better.

Almost unbelievably, not too long into the descent we passed an ATV driver and his family–intent on driving to Como Lake, climbing Blanca, retreating to Como, then driving back off the mountain– who gave us their ATV, saying we could leave it for them at the foot of the mountain! We now had a safe and fast way to evacuate Randy!! Their kindness added 5-8 hours to their day but shaved 8+ hours off of Randy’s day.

What an answered prayer!!!

It wasn’t long though until it became obvious that Gary probably would be unable to make the 6+ mile climb down the mountain due to the effect the treacherous boulder-road was having on his back. We prayed again for the kindness of strangers, and an ATV.

Before we saw anyone, Skip blew out his knee. An extremely healthy guy, the road was too much for his ACL–torn in High School fixed long ago–so he and his pack went down and we now had another serious situation. He was unable to walk off the mountain. Now there was a great need for two ATVs. Would God provide again!?!?!

The situation, in our eyes, was worsening, but God was in control. Oddly enough, I am not sure that anyone doubted that God would come through for us… He hadn’t yet let us down this week and we were learning to rely more on Him. I know that I was!

And almost immediately, a family who lives and farms nearby came along on two ATVs. AMAZING! Apparently they came out to Lake Como Road–the most treacherous in Colorado–to play on their four-wheelers. They jumped on the chance to take our men back down the mountain. God had answered another prayer in a miraculous way, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

They were also able to load several of our packs, weighing approximately 50+ lbs. each, and take them to the bottom. I was one of the people told to relinquish their packs. It was tough to do because it was my burden to carry down the mountain and I wanted to carry the load. But I was having a hard time too. I was keeping up, but it was annihilating my body, having spent days on end putting my body through physical torture. So I humbly and gratefully accepted the blessing and tied it to the ATV.

And off they went.

But the journey was not over, we still had several hours of descent left, and though the slowest among us were all finally on their way down the mountain on ATV’s, we still had to carefully navigate the path without twisting ankles, slipping on loose rocks, or otherwise injuring ourselves while descending the steep road.

Lori said something this week that made really think as I walked the last long half-maile stretch to the place where we’d left the vans days earlier.

“The summit of the mountain is at the bottom.”

That is so true. The real test wasn’t making it to the top, it was making it both up and back down the mountain.

Not wanting to be left out of the multiplying medical situations. I acquired some sort of severe burn, allergic reaction, or sun poisoning on my legs. It is really freaky looking and I was more than a bit worried at first. I popped a Benadryl and prayed God would work in the midst of it.

It pretty much left me three-sheets to the wind the rest of the night, but not what a great evening it was! I was able to shower for the first time in days, remove my boots and put on sandals, and get a hot meal at the restaurant/store just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park. I have several blisters that hurt like heck, and I need so much rest.

Our group time last night was AMAZING. God is really doing things in our hearts and in the midst of our group. Under the light of a small lamp we all gathered at two picnic tables and discussed our experiences so far, feelings, and struggles. Several of the guys really laid themselves bare under the stars, asking for help and more accountability.

It seems likely that we will form a small group after this trip, of some sort. I am relying on God’s direction and help with this. Several of these guys really need community and accountability. They have it now, but when we return Sunday we stand to lose the experience and slip back into habits.

One thing I failed to mention was the amazing conversations I was able to have with Alex, a volunteer with New Frontiers, who has recently graduated from College with a Theatre Teaching degree. He’s now searching for God’s plan for his life.

Also, Randy made it to the hospital and was admitted. We hear that he is recovering well and should be released today.

This morning we have an event the begins about 9:00am, away from camp, which none of us know the details to.

As I sit here in my tent alone writing, I hear the cook stoves burning (preparing breakfast), conversations buzzing all over the campsite, and sunlight is just beginning to stream through my tent.

Today is the last full day of intense activity.

Oh God, please meet with us and continue to chip away at the dark places of our hearts and the walls between us.