Umar's time in Yosemite is winding down. Here's his reflections on his past week recorded from a conversation with Jocelyn Gretz and Barb Miranda.

What did you do last week?

I had the first aid class and my last WildLink Expedition.

Have you ever taken a first aid class before?

No, it was my first time. It was long. I guess it could be good though.

You guess!?

NO it was good. It will be valuable. You never know what kind of situation will come up.

So if I'm unconscious right now with a blocked airway what do you do?

Call 911 (laughs).

How was the hike to the Merced Grove for the expedition?

It was nice.

Did you use your flashlight?

Barb did. I didn't I just turned my on here and there. It was so bright out with all the stars. It was my first time hiking at night. It was different seeing the giant sequoias at nighttime. They didn't seem like sequoias. They seemed like huge monsters or something.

Now this expedition actually didn't hike into a wilderness area, it was into a roaded area partially on the Sierra National Forest. Did this feel different?

We heard a car, and were mostly hiking on a road.

J - We explained that this wasn't a wilderness area. Personally I kind of felt bad for the students because they weren't going to experience wilderness, the fact that we were walking on a road compared to what the second expedition saw in the Merced River corridor. When you compare echo valley to a paved road - its not the same.

Do you think these students felt that this lessened their experience?

The students didn't perceive that it was different. The views were spectacular and none of the students had been to a park or wilderness before so it was still a wilderness experience for them.

What did you particularly enjoy about the expedition last week?

I just enjoyed the hike. It was probably the last hike in Yosemite so I just tried to enjoy it.

Do you feel like you've changed since your time here began three months ago?

I'm still a city person but I like the wilderness. I'm like half and half. I'm slowly changing to being a wilderness person. It seems like just when I'm starting to enjoy it the people and everything times up.

J. I went to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. That's only a 6 hour drive from Detroit.

Ohhh, I'd like to check that out.

Do you think you'll be coming back to Yosemite?

Yeah, hopefully yeah. I'll be back (in Arnold Schwarzenegger voice).

You went to the Yosemite Institute holiday party on Saturday. What happened there?

They gave me some letters from past students. They just wanted to thank me for making their outdoor adventure so much fun. They also gave me a compass so I can find my way back to Yosemite. I found my way here once and I'll find my way back again.