“Ok, y'all ready?” I asked the group of nine longhaired, sunburned men in front of me.

They all had backpacks filled to the brim and their arms full of gear. I keep telling people to pack light, but they never listen.

“On my count, we run. You can’t stop, or even hesitate. One moment's pause and you won’t make it. If you’re a step too slow, you die. And no one will come back for you. It’s every...