Buddy System (2nd Part)

Whether you like it or not, your buddy and you are like "married couples" throughout the duration of the trip. Before the pre-climb meeting is over, as partners you automatically agree on what you will share. It is always a good idea to decide who will take care of what, and who will bring which gear, while ensuring that each one is basically self-sufficient (just in case only one of you can be rescued – kidding!). One can carry the tent and flysheet, while the other carries the poles. Or one can load the whole tent, while the other, the stove and utensils. But you will both have to keep your own first aid kit, trail food, and change of clothes.

Common sense dictates that you cannot have your buddy carry such vital items as your jacket and flashlight. I know of a teammate who made her friend pack some of her clothes, so when they got separated by a sudden downpour (they weren’t even climbing buddies), she had to endure the cold until her dry clothes arrived. A note here, you may be "married" to your climbing buddy, but your pack has to have everything you will personally need at any time on the trip.

"HE should take care of ME, I’m a girl." No such thing as a "girl" on a climb. If you are being given special attention just because you are female, consider it a gift, not a privilege. As buddies you are equal on all counts. Remember that, guys. You don’t owe it to us. In climbing, "weaker sex" has nothing to do with being male or female. We girls climb because we can climb, we can carry our packs, we can stand the heat and cold, we can pitch tents and cook dinner. And we can snore as loud as any guy on the team.

So, buddies are buddies. Whether buddies are muscular or demure, the expectations are the same. "What expectations?" Let’s look at it from his end (I will be using "he" to refer to both male and female, ok?). What would he expect from you as his climbing buddy? Simply put, your climbing partner expects you to: BE THERE FOR HIM. You actually grow a third eye, a third ear, and an infrared sensor, solely for him. On the trek, he should never be more than three meters away from you. You hear his every sound, you see his every move. You’re there when he trips (and quick to help him back to his feet). You’re there when he needs to fix his pack (and quick to lend a hand). You’re there when he needs to hide in the bushes (not necessarily next to him... close by is good). Remember, he expects you to be there, especially when he has to deal with a compromising situation (like being face-to-face with a wild boar! or slipping down the cliff!). Your presence may be the only reason he will survive this adventure. Here’s where one would interject: Be sure you’ve brushed up on your CPR skills!

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