A DECK OF CARDS

A DECK OF CARDS

By Andy Weddington

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.  - Edmund Hillary

Bob Watral is a Marine. 

An infantryman. 

Bob and I have been friends for 43+ years. 

Our backgrounds similar. But he's undoubtedly smarter. He graduated from Duke. I doubt Duke would have admitted me. 

We served together in 2nd Battalion 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division - he 81mm mortars platoon commander in Weapons Company and I weapons platoon commander in Golf Company.

I have vivid memories of firing 60 mm mortars - an HE (high explosive) night training mission - under the illumination of his 81s in Sardinia. Just beautiful! Watching the Marines work. Trained killers practicing their trade. Art. A human could not have survived.

We hiked. Force marches, actually. Long distances under heavy load. It's what infantry Marines do. 

Not a problem. 

We were in our 20s and fit. Exceptionally fit.   

Thereafter, he reported to 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. I followed a year later. He commanded Company D. And I succeeded him.

We hiked. Not really force marches and not long distances nor under heavy load, but the recruits might have seen their experience differently.  

We were still in our 20s and fit. Exceptionally fit. 

Bob decided to leave the Marine Corps. 

His hiking days over. 

Until about a month ago. 

After a career in the financial advising business he decided to tackle the Appalachian Trail. 

His goal to hike the Trail - all of it - about 2,200 miles. 

Initially, the plan was to trek one way from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine. 

About six months or so. 

Bob decided a smarter plan, considering weather, pests, etc., was to start further north and onward to Maine then return to that start point and head south to Georgia - known as flip-flop. 

He stepped off smartly in early April. 

He's been off the trail little more than a week. 

Done. 

About 300 miles. 

And lost 15 pounds. 

We exchanged a couple emails. 

He shared some initial reflections. I asked questions. 

Today we met for lunch and I asked more questions.

We're not in our 20s anymore. Though fit. But not exceptionally. 

My questions ...

Why did you hike? 

Bob: Not complicated. I just retired and wanted to do something significant before "retiring." I did not want to have any regrets for not trying. 

Where you physically/mentally prepared?

Bob: Yes. Maybe overly so in some respects. However, the elevation changes were tough. Practically impossible to prepare for. 

Did you hike alone?

Bob: I met a guy, Dave, the night before stepping off. We hiked together. Like everything, there's pros and cons.

What about technology - able to connect with family and friends - good or bad?

Bob: Pros and cons. You see real time those you love and miss. 

Did you have any unexpected moments?

Bob: Yes. Downhill hiking. Getting into a rhythm, a zone. It felt like skiing. Wonderful. 

Did you encounter threats or feel in danger - terrain, wild life, humans?

Bob: No. 

What was most enjoyable?

Bob: The groove (of hiking). The silence refreshing. Town food (after a week on the Trail to resupply) was "awesome!" And "trail magic" - human kindness between hikers. [Author's note: Which I found amusing in contrast to a sticker he mentioned seeing on another hiker's gear: I hike because people suck.]

What proved most frustrating?

Bob: Down time. Being idle. Practically chronic foot pain. 

Did you have any flashbacks to hiking in the Corps?

Bob: Not once. [Author's note: That surprised me. I still think about some of those grueling marches.]

Any revelations?

Bob: I'm not in my 20s. 

Would you hike again?

Bob: No. I'm at peace. 

Some of Bob's lessons learned/highlights ...

Found soul.

Learned to accept physical limits.

Enjoyed the peace and quiet away from civilization.

Protect your opinions.

There's nothing like water from a mountain stream or spring.

True hunger and thirst is humbling.

Proper nutrition critical. 

I should go fishing more. 

There's no place like home. 

Six to seven months away from "life" is not a good ROI (Return on Investment). 

Life is a gift. Don't waste it. 

Life's greatest gift is time. 

And a lot more - with much still to come while digesting his achievement: 300 miles afoot in the wild - conquering mountains and finding self.  

He came up short as to miles goal - entire Trail - but what an accomplishment. 

Bravo! Bob. 

And I asked ...

What one thing did you not pack you wished you had?

He didn't hesitate. 

I burst into laughter! So did Bob.

Because 43 years ago we were partners, ship's (USS Saipan - LHA-2) champions, undefeated, during a Mediterranean deployment. Spades. 

Bob: A deck of cards.