The 12,893-foot summit of Galena Mountain is in sight, but the pace is slow.
At this altitude, the members of the group struggle to catch their breath. High wind gusts and backpacks loaded with 50 to 60 pounds of gear, food and water also hinder progress.
It was just three days ago that these seven men and two women with Army, Air Force and Marine Corps backgrounds met for the first time.
Today, they are a unit. The strong have risen as leaders. The weaker members follow, drawing strength from those out in front.
Competition drives some forward. Blind fear propels others, fear of failure and letting the unit down.
Small words of encouragement mean the difference between giving up and pushing their mental and physical limits to reach the summit.
The Sept. 3-7 Outward Bound expedition is part of 1,500 free trips the nonprofit organization recently began offering to combat veterans. The idea behind the effort is to give veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts a chance to be among fellow vets and forge new friendships. Instructors facilitate discussions on readjustment and transition challenges associated with returning from a combat zone. It’s also a chance to build a new sense of confidence that comes from facing challenges in a wilderness setting.
It’s early afternoon on Sept. 5 when each member finally reaches the top of Galena — winded, tired and happy. Everyone drops their heavy packs and savors the view of the vast countryside below.
They dig into their packs for warmer layers and then gather together on the boulder-covered stretch of ground for an alpine lunch of summer sausage, cheese, crackers and trail mix.
The hardest part of the trip is now over, but unbeknownst to the veterans, they still have one more challenge to overcome before beginning the three-mile descent to camp.
Bob O’Rourke, one of two instructors on the course, gathers everyone in closer.
There is a “special physical exertion” that goes into climbing mountains, one that should not be wasted, he tells the group.
“This being a vets’ course, we like to leave something in remembrance for folks who aren’t going to climb any mountains,” O’Rourke says.
“This is usually where I get choked up.”
“We’ve all lost buddies,” the 63-year-old Vietnam veteran relates, his voice shaking with emotion. “And it’s good to say their names and remember them! Remember them on a mountain that you climbed!”
The retired Marine then asks the group to join him in adding to a small memorial rock pile started by veterans on previous courses.
“This is for Pfc. Johnnie Smith,” O’Rourke says, holding up a small stone. “He got shot May 6, 1968 and didn’t make it back to” Columbus, Ohio.
Without hesitation, each member of the group follows O’Rourke’s lead.
Some remember the close friends they’ve lost.
Marine Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rob Bender dedicates his rock to Staff Sgt. Brian Bland, “one of the Marines that was on a CH-53 that went down” in Iraq on Jan. 26, 2005.
Army National Guard Sgt. Vinnie Occhiena places a stone for Capt. Ernesto Blanco and Sgt. Trevor Blumberg, who were killed in Iraq in 2003, and Sgt. Israel Garcia, who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this year.
