My bag is getting heavy and I slow down to double check the knot and make sure it's secure. I would hate to accidentally lose some of this stuff to the wind before I make it. The guy I'm working for would be upset, to say the least. I promised him I'd deliver when I bid this job. I was known to be one of the best in my line of work, reliable to a fault and cutthroat when I had to be. This job would not be an exception. I'd already risked too much to drop the ball here, this far into it and so close to the end.
I round the peak, though I barely notice except that my knees start to hurt and I realize my toes are hitting the front of my boots. I'm on the downhill now.