Take a Hike Outdoor group treks through Yosemite park By Gina Garland Modesto Bee - September 14, 2000 Imagine hiking 40 miles while carrying 30 pounds of weight on your back. You're in so much pain, you don't ever want to move again. You're hot and thirsty and would do anything for a sip of water. And when it's over, you can't wait to do it again because it was so much fun. That was my trip to Yosemite National Park with the Venture Crew. Only the brave, tough and strong survive a journey like this. It's not just "a stroll in the park," as Ramie Corley describes it. Being a Boy Scout leader, he's been on many hikes, though none as difficult as this, he said. This hike was definitely challenging, even to experienced hikers. The trail was rough, rocky and dusty. I accepted the invitation to go hiking with the Venture Crew without realizing what I was getting into. It sounded like a new, exciting way to be with friends, instead of the typical hanging out at the mall. Our trip took place over five days and four nights in stunning Yosemite. We set out on a hot Friday in late July for Tuolumne Meadows, our starting point. The day was filled with preparations for what lay ahead. Tension hung over the group like a fly cover over tents. Everyone was thinking about the strenuous day to come. Saturday's hike was the most laborious. We got an early start to avoid the heat, but we still took a beating. We were headed toward our next campsite -- Sunrise, 10 miles away -- and it was mostly uphill. There were 14 in our group, and not everyone walked at the same pace. We were spread out along the trail: We called the fast ones rabbits, the middle ones mules and the slow ones slugs. The rabbits reached camp hours before the slugs. Although we were apart physically, each group was still in contact with the others, thanks to our three walkie-talkies. The kids liked them because we could gab with each other. The adults liked them because they made the climb safer -- every hiker was just a radio wave away. Upon arriving at camp, most of us would throw off our packs and lay down in the shade. And then we'd realize we were starving, so we would rummaged through your packs for food. Hiking burns a lot of calories, and you need to fuel up. Most of our snacks were trail mix, beef jerky and granola bars. This weighed a lot, so we ate as much as we possibly could. "Here, have some of my trail mix," offered Traci Chee, 15, hoping to reduce her load for the next day. Our meals were quite good considering the circumstances. Aside from the predictable oatmeal and ramen noodles, we had tacos, chicken pasta and sausage, thanks to Venture Crew leader (and "master chef") Pauline Iwata. Sunday's destination was Little Yosemite Valley. It was another 10.5 miles, but after one steep ridge, the rest was all down hill, which is no prize when your knees hurt. Little Yosemite Valley was a remarkable place to camp. It had environmental bathrooms (porta-potties that stink less) and front-row seats to the Merced River, a great place to pump water and take a dip. This wasn't just a popular place for humans. We saw deer, squirrels, birds, lizards, mosquitoes and bears. In fact, we had to stash a lot of our stuff -- not just food -- in bear boxes. Anything with an odor -- toothpaste, chapstick -- had to go, or else you might have a bear slobbering in your face. By Monday, every muscle in our bodies ached. We took our time getting up. We didn't have to pack our tents that day, because our goal was the top of Half Dome and back, another 10 miles round trip. Some stayed at camp to keep an eye on the equipment, but most took a deep breath and got back on the trail. After a steep climb to the saddle of Half Dome, we took cables to the top. This was no easy chore. We had to wear gloves to keep from tearing our skin on the metal cables, which ran straight up the sheer face of the rock. We pulled ourselves up the cables for 15 minutes before reaching the very top: 8,500 feet above Yosemite Valley floor. We were exhausted, and proud. After dozens of pictures, we started back down. Tuesday brought mixed feelings. We were happy to finally be going home to running water and electricity, yet we didn't want to leave the wilderness and our fellow campers. So, as a compromise, we walked the last six miles to the valley floor slowly (as if our bodies would have gone any faster). We forgot about our pain by talking the whole way down and laughing about what fun the trip had been. No one had thought it would be that exciting. As we came to the valley, we were amazed to see so many people after days of solitude. They all looked clean and rested, as we limped by, covered with dirt. We could feel everyone's eyes on us as we trudged through the cafes in Yosemite Village. But we held our heads high. We felt such joy; we couldn't stop smiling. An adventure like this really does something for your self-esteem. You feel totally at peace once you're done. Aside from great exercise and a way to bond with friends, it gives you time to think. As you walk through towering trees and over trickling creeks, your mind wanders. You're not interrupted by telephones or work, just the occasional blue jay. It's a great experience. You feel refreshed and ready to take on life's challenges again. Gina Garland, 15, is a sophomore at Bret Harte High School and a member of The Modesto Bee's Teens in the Newsroom journalism program.