“We’re all dead if you fall off my back and break your impatient neck.” “Because I’m the impatient one.” I swing my small pack onto my back, then place one of the heavier packs on each of my shoulders. “I can’t believe you allowed someone up here to secure the bags. I’m impressed with your restraint.” “The section leader attached the bags to the saddle before I put it on, naturally.” “And here I was thinking you’d evolved.”

