I was very curious about the man who finally landed the infamous man-killer.I was very curious about the man who finally landed the infamous man-killer. They were in good spirits, packs ready to go, dressed for the heat in their Patagonia hiking shorts. Barbara had what looked like a new t-shirt from Ipanema. I couldn't tell what Bill's was. Paul and I still had some sorting to do to distribute the pack weight. Paul's mood - bad even before we left town - was not improved by the drive. Since he would carry the tent, he decided I was to carry all the food for nine days for the two of us. there wasn't much choice. I knew any food I gave him to carry he would just leave behind. The rationality of irrationality. Small-boned Barbara was somewhat dwarfed by her brand new high tech silver pack with a frame extension that went over her hips and took the weight off her slender shoulders. Bill had a scruffy ancient pack, with years' worth of attachments he had apparently sewn on himself. Unlike Paul, he was clearly carrying most of the weight for them. Barbara spread a tarp on the ground by our car to help me sort our gear, while Paul fussed with his clothes in the back of the wagon. She got down on all fours to help me make piles. Even in that position she looked natural and poised. Her red hair fell in light curls over a fine broad face with high cheekbones. And her legs would be the envy of a woman ten years younger - slender with subtle, well-shaped muscles. "Shar, I've looked forward to this trip more than anything else in years," she said. "Oh, this sun shower you brought - we have one, so you probably won't need it. It only takes a half hour for the water to get hot in this weather." "OK. Too much weight." I paused. "I've missed you too, Barb. A lot. I didn't realize how much until I saw you." Bill noticed that our tent wasn't well packed and offered to repack it for us. I helped him pull it out of its bag. I had never seen Bill in shorts before. He certainly wasn't a looker like Barbara or Paul, but there was something very pleasing - even reassuring - about his body and the way he carried himself. He seemed completely comfortable with himself and was quite inconspicuously nice-looking. His dark eyes were intriguing. I watched Bill take the tent over to a clear area and spread it out, then turned to Barbara. |