Challenge Me; I Will Not be Enraged

Posted on October 1, 2011 by lesleycarter

As a high school student, imagine spending four days and nights in a remote wilderness venue where you’re allowed to experience extreme adventure in a professional and safe environment. Now, imagine that being part of a course that you took at school. This
program, called Cape Challenge at Cape Enrage, is a reality for Riverview High School students in New Brunswick, Canada and it was a reality for me as a senior teacher at the school. Within four days, I accompanied students while kayaking, rappelling, climbing, and wilderness camping. We took part in initiative and outdoor games, all centered around team building skills, and it was the experience of a lifetime.

Our days at Cape Challenge were prepared before the clock struck 9am and we’d already gone for a morning run, cleaned up our camping area, made breakfast, and packed our lunch. I was in group C, which meant that I’d be kayaking the first day, climbing the second day, and rappelling the last day. At 4pm activities ceased for gear cleanup, dinner, and evening games. Lights out wasn’t difficult at 11pm because we were exhausted yet excited about the days ahead.

I stepped out of my kayak for the first time after two hours in the high tides and I could hardly move my legs or arms. They were like bricks pulling me towards the ground. It was only time for lunch and I wondered how I was possibly going to paddle the same distance back. Most of the students didn’t appear to break a sweat and they casually pulled their kayaks ashore. I was too embarrassed to admit my weary state and forever thankful when a student asked if I could join a double kayak with one of the bigger male students so he could try a single kayak. It was only the first half of the first day of adventures and I was already physically drained. Heck, the morning run was well past my capabilities of physical activity. During the paddle back, I wondered if I’d gotten myself in over my head.

The evening games of obstacle courses and table climbing were challenging but competitive and that’s when I started to shine. I realized each activity was a competition and I thrived on competition. Whether I was competing with myself or others, I vowed not to give up. I vowed to excel and be a leader for the students rather than a tired, old complainer.

Three hours of climbing on the 60 foot cliffs adjacent to the rappel face made up my second day of activities. We geared up and an experienced guide double checked our equipment. Climbing was not weather dependent and the high winds and rain poured down on us and the rock-face. I was happy to have warm, water-proof clothes that protected me from the weather off of the Bay of Fundy. There were two climbing lines set up for our group of 8, which meant that we had some down time to rest and visualize our next climb. I successfully maneuvered two of the three possible routes, but the third, and most difficult, was my master. I couldn’t, although we were not allowed to say the word “can’t”, overcome the wide lip that protruded about half way up the wall. One other girl in our group made it to the top of the third wall and I proudly cheered for her. I may be competitive, but I didn’t feel defeated or discouraged. Although she had accomplished something that I couldn’t, I was still proud of myself for trying and trying and trying.

Descending 140 foot cliffs was my favorite part of Cape Challenge. Nervously stepping off of the platform for the first time was the greatest journey. Not unlike bungee jumping or skydiving, the first step is the hardest. By the third rappel, I was hanging upside down and trying flips on the rock-face. The returning climb was the most exhausting part of the rappelling adventure, but I knew the quicker I walked, the more rappels I could get in. 10 rappels and 10 climbs up the 104 steep, steps was my breaking point. There was enough time for one more rappel but I opted to stay below and take pictures for others.

Although I was a chaperon at Cape Challenge, I was as much a part of the skill building, adventure seeking group as the students. Cape Challenge lived up to its name by challenging me physically and mentally. I was pushed to my limits and left wanting to return year after year.

25 thoughts on “Challenge Me; I Will Not be Enraged”

workwithmattbroderick on October 1, 2011 at 4:31 am said:

workwithmattbroderick reblogged this on workwithmattbroderick.

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Stacia on October 1, 2011 at 8:12 pm said:

You did all this, and you’re pregnant?? Wow! That baby’s going to be strong and adventurous, I can tell. =>

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- lesleycarter on October 1, 2011 at 8:16 pm said:
  
  I did this last summer; I just didn’t have the chance to post about it. Now, my energy is reserved for eating and sleeping. 🙂
  
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Jim Brickett on October 2, 2011 at 11:13 am said:

Looks and sounds amazing

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- lesleycarter on October 2, 2011 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  It was an amazing experience for me and for the students.
  
  I love your photos; you obviously have an eye for photography.
  
  Thanks for taking the time to comment; I appreciate it.
  
  Lesley
  
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kirbrown on October 3, 2011 at 3:27 am said:

This makes me want to go back in time and attend your high school! What a great program and a great blog. Thank you!

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- lesleycarter on October 3, 2011 at 3:37 am said:
  
  Thanks! I love adventure so when I was asked to attend this trip with the students, I felt honored. It is an amazing opportunity for students and I hope it continues for years to come.
  
  Have you ever been rock climbing, rappelling, or kayaking?
  
  Thanks for taking the time to comment; I appreciate it.
  
  Lesley
  
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Maggie L R on October 3, 2011 at 12:42 pm said:

What an adventure! Thank you for dropping by my blog because it gave me the adress to yours. I will be reading more. and congratulations.

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- lesleycarter on October 3, 2011 at 4:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maggie!
  
  I appreciate that you took the time to comment; please keep them coming.
  
  Lesley
  
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AnitaZ on October 3, 2011 at 6:11 pm said:

Lesley,
Thanks again for the Like on my blog post, and thanks especially for the link to your blog. Wow! Not only on the adventures of your life so far, but also – you’ve only been blogging a month? Great site. I’m looking forward to future posts and to reading the older ones.
Congratulations on your adventure-to-be. 🙂

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Carmel on October 4, 2011 at 4:49 pm said:

Hi Lesly,

Thank you for the like on my blog post. Nice blog you’ve got here, i see you’re quite a traveler 🙂 Hope you can visit the Philippines soon, we have the most breath-taking beaches here 🙂 Keep on writing!

Carmel

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Carmel on October 4, 2011 at 4:50 pm said:

Hi Lesley,

Thank you for the like on my blog post. Nice blog you’ve got here, i see you’re quite a traveler 🙂 Hope you can visit the Philippines soon, we have the most breath-taking beaches here 🙂 Keep on writing!

Carmel

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- lesleycarter on October 4, 2011 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  I’d love to visit the Philippines and hopefully it will happen at some point. Travel has been somewhat suspended while I’m pregnant, but I’ll be back at it soon.
  
  Your photos in A Glimpse of Life in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte are beautiful.
  
  🙂
  
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  - Carmel on October 4, 2011 at 4:59 pm said:
    
    Thanks so much! I live in the city, so having a taste of rural life even for a few days was quite an experience. Good luck and have fun on your upcoming trips! 🙂
    
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rajeeshraghavan on October 5, 2011 at 4:38 am said:

Hi Lesley,
its amazing..!!!!!!! i really liked……….:)

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- lesleycarter on October 5, 2011 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you!
  
  It was a wonderful experience to have both personally and with my students. Have you ever been rock climbing, rappelling, or kayaking? I love an adventure!
  
  Keep the comments coming; they are appreciated.
  
  Lesley
  
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redjim99 on October 14, 2011 at 8:01 am said:

Looks like great fun, we can live vicariously through your experiences. It’s been a while since I did any of these things. Bring back memories of the excitement and thrill of falling from high places. I just go mountain walking now, up in the snow any chance I get. I went to Alps in February with a friend where we bivvied for two days while exploring near a place called Entraigue.

Keep doing the bucket list,

Jim

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jodowbiggin on November 8, 2011 at 12:54 pm said:

Hey Lesley! When you and your baby are ready come on down to Costa Rica. My boyfriend is a white water rafting guide for 9 years. He’ll take you on the Class 5 rivers. This is where they just had the World Rafting Competition in October!

I like your post about New Brunswick, Canada. I’m Canadian (living in Costa Rica) but I lived in New Brunswick for a few months on a farm. New Brunswick is one of Canada’s unknown treasures. It’s raw and wild. Forests upon forests filled with moose and black bears. Originally a city girl from Toronto, New Brunswick and Costa Rica are two places that proved the wild is so much better than the city.

Thanks for your like. Great blog!

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- lesleycarter on November 8, 2011 at 3:25 pm said:
  
  I’m a Canadian as well! I’m from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and I’ve lived in California for a year now. Although Canada, eastern Canada in particular, will always hold my heart, California is where we belong. I love the weather, the opportunities, and the beach.
  
  I was white-water rafting in Costa Rica last year and it was unbelievable. You can read about my experience at https://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/difficulty-class-iv-rafting-long-difficult-rapids-with-constricted-passages-that-often-require-precise-maneuvering-in-very-turbulent-waters-moderate-to-advanced/
  
  If I find myself in your part of the world again, I will be in touch.
  
  Where in New Brunswick did you live? I spent two years in Moncton and taught in Riverview; they were my favorite years of teaching so far.
  
  Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment; it’s appreciated,
  
  Lesley
  
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idawatyrosili on November 10, 2011 at 1:04 pm said:

Hi, Lesley.

What a wonderful adventure you had. I wish one day I could pack up my things and do as what you did. I love travelling and there is a lot of places to go here in Malaysia. I hope you add Malaysia in your bucket list as your next destination. well, I’m just a beginner and I hope to add a lot of new stuff on my post. I really do love your post. Regards. ❤

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- lesleycarter on November 10, 2011 at 5:23 pm said:
  
  I’d love to see Malaysia but I don’t think it will happen for a couple of years. We’d like to start with short flights for our baby and build up to the further locations.
  
  Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment; it’s greatly appreciated.
  
  Lesley
  
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bucketdave on August 3, 2012 at 3:54 am said:

Nice moves on the climb, Lesley!

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