Hiking Essay Example

Introduction

Hiking has always been a cherished activity for me, allowing me to connect with nature and embark on thrilling adventures. One particular hiking trip stands out in my memory as the most exhilarating and transformative experience of my life. Join me as I recount the details of this unforgettable journey through rugged terrain and breathtaking landscapes.

Body

It was a crisp autumn morning when our group of hiking enthusiasts gathered at the trailhead. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as we set off on our adventure. The trail led us deep into a dense forest, where the lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature instantly captivated our senses.

As we hiked further into the wilderness, the trail gradually became steeper and more challenging. We traversed rugged terrain, crossed babbling streams, and maneuvered through narrow passages. Each step was filled with a sense of accomplishment and a renewed connection to the natural world.

The highlight of the trip was reaching the summit of a majestic peak. The panoramic view from the top took our breath away. Endless rolling hills, majestic mountains, and a sea of vibrant colors stretched out before us. It was a sight that seemed straight out of a postcard, and it made all the sweat and exertion worthwhile.

The descent proved to be just as thrilling as the ascent. We carefully navigated steep slopes, leaped over fallen logs, and balanced precariously on narrow ridges. The trail seemed to test our physical strength and mental resilience at every turn. However, the camaraderie among the hikers and the sheer beauty of the surroundings kept us motivated and determined.

During our hike, we encountered various wildlife, from playful squirrels to graceful deer. The encounter with a curious fox remains etched in my memory. Its piercing eyes stared at us from a safe distance, reminding us that we were mere guests in its natural habitat. These encounters reinforced the importance of preserving and respecting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

The hours seemed to pass by in a blur as we immersed ourselves in the wonders of nature. We hiked through meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers, crossed babbling brooks, and marveled at towering waterfalls cascading down moss-covered rocks. It was a sensory overload, as every sight, sound, and scent awakened a deep appreciation for the natural world.

As the day drew to a close, we gathered around a campfire, sharing stories and laughter. The flickering flames provided a warm glow, casting a sense of tranquility over the group. We exchanged tales of triumph and challenge, reliving the moments that defined our hike. It was a bonding experience that forged lifelong friendships and created cherished memories.

Conclusion

The hiking trip remains etched in my heart as a transformative experience that rekindled my love for nature and strengthened my connection to the outdoors. It taught me the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us. Through the challenges and triumphs of the journey, I discovered a newfound sense of self and a deep reverence for the wonders of the natural world.

Hiking has become more than just a recreational activity for me. It is a profound way to reconnect with nature, challenge my limits, and find solace in the simplicity of the wilderness. The memories of that unforgettable hiking trip will forever serve as a reminder of the power and beauty of the great outdoors and the transformative impact it can have on our lives.

Short Essay on Hiking

Hiking is not merely a leisure activity; it is an exhilarating experience that allows us to connect with nature, challenge ourselves physically, and discover the beauty of the great outdoors. As an avid hiker, I have been fortunate enough to explore various trails and immerse myself in the breathtaking landscapes that nature has to offer. Let me take you on a short narrative journey of my hiking adventure.

It was a crisp morning when I set off on a hiking expedition in the nearby mountains. The anticipation coursed through my veins as I laced up my sturdy boots and adjusted my backpack, filled with essentials like water, snacks, and a map. The trailhead beckoned, and I eagerly began my ascent into the wilderness.

As I trekked along the path, the sights and sounds of nature enveloped me. The rustling of leaves, the melodious chirping of birds, and the gentle murmur of a nearby stream created a symphony that awakened my senses. I marveled at the vibrant colors of wildflowers lining the trail and breathed in the invigorating scent of pine trees.

With each step, the world around me seemed to transform. The noise and chaos of everyday life faded into the background, replaced by a sense of tranquility and peace. I felt a deep connection to the natural world, as if I was part of something much larger than myself. The beauty and serenity of the wilderness engulfed me, reminding me of the wonders that exist beyond the confines of urban living.

But hiking is not just about admiring the scenery; it also presents physical challenges that test our limits. The trail became steeper, and the path more rugged, requiring me to summon my strength and determination. As I ascended higher, my legs burned with exertion, and my heart raced with the thrill of the climb. Yet, with every hurdle overcome, a sense of accomplishment washed over me, fueling my determination to keep pushing forward.

One of the most rewarding aspects of hiking is the opportunity for introspection and self-discovery. The solitude of the trail allowed me to reflect on my thoughts, aspirations, and dreams. With each step, I shed the stresses and worries of daily life, finding solace in the simplicity of the natural world. It was as if the trail acted as a canvas upon which I could paint my hopes and aspirations, leaving behind the burdens that weighed me down.

After hours of hiking, I reached the summit, and a breathtaking panorama unfolded before my eyes. The expansive view, stretching as far as the eye could see, was a testament to the grandeur and majesty of nature. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but stand in awe of the world below.

As I descended from the peak and made my way back to civilization, a sense of rejuvenation and fulfillment filled my being. The hiking experience had invigorated not only my body but also my spirit. It reminded me of the inherent beauty that surrounds us, waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

Hiking is more than just a walk in the woods; it is an adventure that awakens the senses, challenges the body, and nourishes the soul. It is a journey that reconnects us with the natural world and reminds us of our place within it. Whether it is a short stroll through a local trail or a multi-day trek through rugged terrain, hiking offers us the opportunity to escape, explore, and embrace the wonders of nature’s playground. So, lace up your boots, take that first step, and embark on your own hiking adventure. The trail awaits, ready to reveal its secrets and unveil the transformative power of the great outdoors.

Life-Changing Experience of Keeping My New Year’s Resolution: Personal Narrative Essay

The year 2018 encouraged me to follow new adventures. Like many people, I had made a New Year’s resolution promise to change my life, but as June arrived, I had become hesitant to fulfill my promise. But I decided to pursue my commitments that year.

After months of composure, a few of my friends and I decided to take on the challenge of isolation within the wilderness from civilization. Despite the bravery of the challenge, we were forced to bring along survival equipment such as two compact tents, a propane stove, and sleeping bags. Our goal was a twenty-mile overnight adventure through a remote natural wilderness. We chose to complete our challenge at the Great Smoky Mountains, which was a 10-hour drive. An all-or-nothing approach to nature was truly the best way to understand the flourishing beauty of nature. I never realized how difficult it would be to excuse ourselves from civilization, but it affected my appreciation of the wilderness. Looking up at the night sky and observing the stretch of clusters of stars, with pure light, breathing in cold, crisp, and refined air, and no sight of humanity, only nature, is an inspiring and heart-warming experience. Often people become so obsessed with technology that they forget their origin. We left an environment controlled by technology, electricity, and plumbing in order to retreat to the wild. In the following weeks, constant storms worried us, but we were dedicated, even though we were distant from the land that we were familiar with. Due to a short navigational error, the starting point of our adventure was upon us. As the sun climbed over the vast hills, its brilliant rays marked the beginning of our journey. Nearby rivers and lakes seemed to be overflowing surrounded by fallen trees. The days however started to clear up as clouds swept away and brought a mild climate.

We began by exploring the top of a ravine with extreme excitement and anxiety, not knowing the difficulties that would threaten our unaccustomed bodies. Off our trail, we encountered one of the most amazing scenes of nature yet. Lakes in the distance were ponds, houses were pellets of wood, and the city nearby seemed to be a mere neighborhood compared to the extensive wilderness. I had never felt like a stranger passing through such beautiful terrain, despite glimpses I had seen on a previous family trip. We continued over peaks and valleys for hours, hoping we would read the midpoint before the dangers of the darkness covered us. The trail however seemed to relinquish within a creek surrounded by water and mounds of stone. As we hiked, we hoped that easier terrain would approach with strained muscles and sore feet. Exhausted, wet, and fatigued from the adventure outside our comfort zone, we decided to stop before the sunset for the evening. Quickly we delegated specific roles to establish our camp with the cooperation and loyalty of each man to do his job for our survival. Our friendship was one of the deepest and most trusting I’ve ever known. We placed our trust and faith on the line, knowing that everyone would do their set tasks independently and efficiently. Once the fire was lit and our meals were consumed, we observed the sky before us. The usual luminous lights we were used to were replaced by a sky displaying a heavenly light distant from us. I appreciated the clusters of stars in clouds that presented a dim glow. I was bewildered by the light that had taken millions of years to reach me. In complete silence, I heard a nearby stream flowing, reminding me of a faucet mistakenly left on, however, the stream was a part of nature’s cycle instead of someone’s neglect. Unfortunately, our night was spoiled by the sight of civilization we had attempted to evade. A kerosene can, empty bottles, wrappers, and filled trash bags were scattered on our natural landscape by careless adventurers. Too careless to even respect or recognize the magnificence of nature’s simplicity yet beautiful complexity. I had come from afar to appreciate the beauty and gain a perspective of wildlife with the purity of nature not to be reminded of the littered streets of the cities. As I proceed towards the stream, I stopped a fawn in the distance. His life is so simple, and his only concerns are to eat, drink, and reproduce. Live. Simple yet often lost in our world today. I wasn’t spotted but knew our species was determined only to dominate other organisms. I left the wet perch near the stream and noticed two bright yellow figures with worn-out clothes and empty expressions stalking the fawn. I didn’t seem to understand their muttering but knew their intentions. I realized the irony of being lured into the isolation of nature, yet also being reminded of our place as hunters and consumers of the world. Despite my puzzling feelings, I had to owe all my physical and mental strength to the group in order to reach our destinations before dusk of another day. After we broke our camp, we came upon that same stream where the fawn I had treasured disappeared along with the two bright yellow figures.

The next challenge was another steep climb, except this time it was different. My legs suffered every step and my heels throbbed with each move. I questioned my ability to complete the challenge, but the group motivated each other to persist, along the peak. A nearby lake appeared to our right, slowly twisting through the trees. For a second, I paused that thought about how thousands of people have navigated that lake, forgotten as we would be. When we noticed our shortage of food and water for the day, we realized that we had not made enough progress that we considered yesterday. Despite the pain, we took on one of the most physically and mentally challenging journeys of our lives eagerly. After consuming each morsel of food, we reached smaller hills. As we began to descend, my body experienced new pain, but I was confident and ignored the discomfort. Then the trail seemed to devolve into a cold stream of water where my boots were surrounded by water, not affecting me. The faint sight of pavement reminded us of the end of our expedition. We were victorious but torn that we had to return to the world we had left. We felt accomplished from the journey we went through to the hardships we suffered. We felt prouder than ever and gained a new perspective of nature as those two days forced us to tackle our limits of humanity. As usual, the sun set, and electric lights stretched across the road. For one last time, I admired the steep climbs and challenges we had conquered. Challenges that strained and stiffened every muscle in my body. The moment filled me with the excitement of returning for longer. Perhaps through isolation, I got to appreciate a much simpler and more beautiful environment that changed me.

Upon reflection, I realized what a beautiful planet we have yet so devastated by careless individuals. Changing my lifestyle for a few days and my lifestyle really demonstrated how much positivity was brought upon me by living off of such basic equipment. This journey, as a fulfillment of my New Year’s resolution, made me realize how we need to change the way we live. As my friends and I appreciated the beautiful scenes of nature, I realized that if many of the ‘careless adventurers’ don’t change now, our environment will be similar to those trash bags and empty bottles on the floor we had encountered. Preserving our environment will be the reason we can appreciate the beautiful vast wilderness and wildlife in the future.

Essay on Why I Love Hiking

Hiking is one of those activities that leave you yearning for more as you not only get healthier in the process, but if you’re lucky, you end up making friends in the process. During hiking you are surrounded by nature, birds chirping, tree leaves moving, and animals crying. In this essay, I want to explain the reasons why I love hiking and find it an awesome activity.

Firstly, I love hiking because it makes me jolly. It’s been proven that hiking makes hikers cheerful, improves their mood, reduces anxiety, and improves memory.

Also, hiking wards me off depression. Time spent strolling in a natural environment can lead to measurable benefits for the body and brain and help combat depression. I go off all day-to-day stress and depression is all gone, albeit for a period of time. Long walks are known to reduce depression and help people mitigate the negative effects of stressful life events and perceived stress.

I noticed that my memory and concentration improved thanks to my hikes. As it turned out, this is a scientifically proven fact. For example, a 2012 Huffington Post study found that spending time outdoors frees up focus and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50%, and a 2008 University of Michigan study found that spending an hour in nature improves memory and concentration improves by 20%.

I also love hiking because it helps me think more creatively, as it takes my mind to different places and expands my imagination.

Most importantly, hiking keeps me fit and keeps my heart healthy. Walking at any pace has been proven to be excellent low-impact cardio and a catalyst towards fitness. Going up and down a hilly place, for example, gets hearts pumping and creates a great cardio moment. Hikers burn about 500 calories per hour, thus helping to control weight and lose weight. Hiking also lowers blood pressure, lowers the risk of diabetes, and affects cholesterol levels, according to the American Hiking Society.

I love hiking with others so much, it’s the best for me. You endure the pain together and end up building a strong team. Starting as strangers is a great chance to make new friends, while hiking with friends makes friendships stronger. Adventure is always right around the corner as you never know what lies ahead. You may encounter wild animals, you may be rained on, you may fall, and you may even be injured in the process, but you will rise up with the help of fellow hikers and continue to the end and pat yourself when you finally look at the distance covered and say “Yes, you made it”.

Hiking is something I really love. When I go hiking, it’s only me, fellow hikers, and where I want to go to. Nothing else matters. When I am hiking, the world seems to come to a standstill. My next step is what matters.

Essay about My Three-Day Hiking Experience

Throughout Walker Percy’s ‘The Loss of the Creature’, he uses many different stories to try and prove a point about the things we see and miss in life. The point he tries to prove is very well argued with these stories, and he even goes into detail with his own thoughts and opinions on these many stories. One story I have that could connect to two of the stories he mentions is the one about the Grand Canyon and the couple that got lost. In my life, there have been many times in which I have been in situations like García López de Cárdenas was seeing the Grand Canyon and situations where I have gotten lost in the wilderness like the married couple, but this one story is one where both have happened.

Since I was 11 years old, I have gone on vacation in the Adirondack Mountains during the summers. We stayed at a resort up there on Lake Pleasant in Speculator. For the first three years, we only went up for a week and then went home or went to the beach for a week. Once I turned 14, my brother and I went to a two-week wilderness camp with no connection to the outside world other than handwritten letters and newspapers that had to be mailed to us. We had no electricity in our cabins and tee-pees, and we had to bathe in the lake that the camp was built around. During my second year there, the age group I was in lived on an island in the lake a quarter of a mile away from the main camp. That year was interesting because it was different from living on land near the main camp. We had to wake up at 6:00 every morning, run 2 miles, and got to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful, but at that point I did not see anything to the degree of beauty I was going to see later in the second week.

After the first full week of camp, the kids who live on the island, also known as islanders, have the weekend to relax and have a lot of free time; however, just like a student would get nervous on a Sunday night knowing they would have school the next day, the islanders had the same fear, but for a different reason. The next morning, the islanders would go on a three-day, two-night hiking trip up in the northern Adirondack Mountains, or as the locals like to call them, the High Peaks.

Monday morning, I woke up at 5:30 to start the drive up to a couple of these High Peaks with my hike group. We started our journey around 8 a.m. and had a very interesting first day. To start off, we had to hike 5 miles of overland to get to our first mountain and then even start climbing it. The trail was long but still marked by trail markers. Once we got to the beginning of the trail for the mountain, we realized it wasn’t one of the trails that had markers on it. We started hiking up the first of three mountains that day. It was long and the trail was hard to keep track of because they were unmarked. When we finally finished all three, it was very dark out, and hiking down was terrifying. As we kept going down, the trail started getting harder to follow. When the sun went completely down, we realized we had veered off the trail and had no way of finding it again. We knew that there was a river that ran perpendicular to the trail we had to reach, so we worked on finding that river. We eventually found it and started hiking again. Walking parallel to the river was not tough, but the hardest part was yet to come. At one point, the river turned into a waterfall with a 20-foot cliff. We had no way of getting around it without walking directly next to the cliff. At one point I slipped and almost fell, but I grabbed onto a tree and kept my balance. At that point, my light shined on the actual waterfall and I was awestruck. The waterfall was gorgeous when the light hit it; the rushing water flowed so majestically down the cliff that I couldn’t believe my eyes. Seeing that view directly correlates to when the couple got lost in the wilderness and ended up having a life-altering experience that most would not imagine having in their lives. Being on the edge of that cliff, inches to death, and the all of a sudden change in views from peril to beauty is how I imagine the couple felt when they stumbled upon the tribe. They probably thought that they were on the verge of death, only to be invited in and allowed to have an experience of a lifetime. After the end of the second day, we made camp and had to hike another 4 miles to get to the final mountain on the final day. To cook our food, we had to use a portable gas grill with one tiny flame. Our counselor finished cooking and still had a good amount of gas in the tank, so he poured it out into the fire we made and set the fire ablaze. It was a great way to end the second day; however, since our pickup time the next day was at 3 p.m., we had to wake up at 3 a.m. to pack up camp and finish the long and treacherous hike. That morning it started to rain and we all put on our rain jackets, except for our one counselor who forgot to pack them. He had a trash bag, so he made a makeshift poncho, which should have worked given the rate the rain was falling. It was a light drizzle and had no signs of raining harder, so we went along and started climbing the first of the last three mountains that day. As we got to the top, the rain clouds started to part and I saw one of the most magnificent sights of my life. Since all 46 of the peaks in the High Peaks are above 4,000 feet elevation, the views are fantastic, and this was one of those views I will always remember. This memory also made me think about García López de Cárdenas discovering the Grand Canyon. The beauty he saw in that canyon was incredible and no one would ever see it like he saw it that day. The same is true with the mountain and the person who first saw the view of that mountain. The people who hike it will never see it the same way the person who originally saw it, but can still take in the beauty like I did. The rest of the story is a terrible situation in which the rain comes again and causes my counselor to get hypothermia. We skip the rest of the mountains and go to the pickup location. We ended up reaching the bottom by 11 a.m. and waited for the van that would take us back to camp. We planned to use the stove for our heat source while waiting, but once we got to the bottom and set it up, we realized that our counselor poured out the rest of the gas on the fire the night before and wasted the rest of the fuel. We ended up sitting in the middle of the woods by the parking lot for 4 hours waiting for the van and were freezing the entire time.

Looking back on it now, it was probably one of the more interesting and fun experiences of my life, knowing that I went through all that in a span of three days. I will never forget that three-day period for the rest of my life. Those three days reflect who I am today and showed me how to live in the moment.

My First Hiking Experience: Personal Narrative Essay

On May 23, 2019, at noon, I found myself on top of a hill. Ilian Hill is a popular landmark of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. It is surrounded by a large expanse of pristine forest clinging to the limestone mountains.

How did I get there? Let me start my story in the early morning of the said day.

I woke up at 6:30, had a 2-minute-long conversation with God, and immediately took an ice-cold bath. Then, I put on my house clothes. I brushed my hair and stared at myself for heaven knows how long. We will be having visitors, so I conditioned myself that I would not go out today, not even from my room. Unless it’s time to eat. However, around 8 o’clock, my mother called me, telling me that my fellow young people are outside and are asking if I wanted to go out and climb the hill with them. Contrary to my previous plan, I said yes! Climbing Ilian Hill had been my dream ever since, but I never got the chance. Simply because I hated going out and I despise walking.

It took us 45 minutes of motorcycle ride before we reached the house where two-wheeled vehicles are left. Usually, the ride only takes 30 minutes. But, as I remember, we are 5 motorcycles in total and one of the drivers is a girl, she was very careful not to create any scratches on her ‘brand new CRF150’, which I think is inevitable given the fact that we are traveling in an off-road rocky trail, causing our delay.

After two exhausting hours of hiking, we finally reached the foot of the hill. Yes, just the foot. The entire duration of the walk was hellish. The rain poured out, and the clay soil got wet and became more sticky making it harder to take a step forward.

If the hike was already tiring, well, the climb is much worst. The trail was too narrow. The steps are made up of chunks of smooth, sliding rocks that are too slippery to walk onto. The rain made the track impossible to climb.

During the hike, I was imagining the magnificent view of landscapes and the viridescence of the trees. I could sense the freshness of the breeze, the fragrance of the grass, and the warm sunshine. I could picture the bright blue sky with multi-colored birds. But to my disappointment, no bird had welcomed me, only annoying little insects. Gladly, the scenic view was enough to compensate for my broken expectations. On top, you can see the beautiful view of the unspoiled forest and the magnificent blue sky highlighted by the rays of sunshine. Indeed, everything worthwhile is uphill.

I wasn’t a fan of traveling, most especially hiking, but this first experience of mine made me realize that life is draining. Yet, I learned that even if the hike is tiresome, in the end, it’s always worth it. It’s okay to pause, breathe and take a timeout, as long as you’ll keep moving forward, no matter how many times you’ll say you’re tired of life. Because you’ll never see the awe-inspiring view from the top if you won’t walk the miles of difficulty.

It was so fulfilling to finally reach one of my many dreams. However, the sad part was that we only got to stay there for more or less 30 minutes, just enough for some photo sessions. Because the sky became gloomy once again. To avoid further trouble, we decide to go down, even if our 30-minute long stay didn’t give justice to the hours we traveled. Yet again, the rain poured. We headed to a small sari-sari store in the middle of the trail for shelter. We drank soft drinks to quench our thirst and ate some of our favorite childhood junk foods. Those packs of snacks made us reminisce about our sweet memories back then.

As I went home, I promised myself that I will never go back to that place again. Not because the view was bad, but because the walk was utterly breathtaking, literally.

Personal Narrative Essay about My Hiking Trip and What I Discovered about Myself

The fact of the matter is that I’m notoriously hopeless at essay writing and analytical thinking; when I signed up for Freshman English 1, I took a breath and braced myself for an agonizing year of woe. Surprisingly, I see that it’s like any other English class. My parents, on the other hand, were rightfully skeptical; they’ve seen my ‘best moments’ in the decade and some odd years that I’ve lived, survived the terrible devastation of my famous temper tantrum tsunamis and, of course, the best part, signed all of my horrendous grade reports. However, when I make up my mind, I don’t budge. I said to myself, “I want to take a difficult class to improve my writing and I’m going to take it”. The class so far has not sunk my ship, and others are even enjoying it, which just proves it’s not impossible. Now, here comes the hard part as of yet. I never thought I would do it, but I did it anyways.

My newfound pride comes from a simple trip, the class hiking trip. Now, I’m a swim girl and I’m pretty agile and flexible, but I don’t have upper body strength. I love sleeping, I love eating, and I love reading my old, worn-out books. Sweating is gross but bearable because I swim. I don’t run for fun. I’m terrified of the gross creepy crawlies that dwell outside. Would I even make half of the trail?

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t budge. I wanted to prove first to myself and then to my family that I can do it, that I can crawl and not start asphyxiating when in the presence of heavy arm-work. I simply wanted to be able to say, “Yeah, I’m living. Oh, hiking? Yeah, I did that. That’s right, me”. I want to love nature before I become a vegetable via injury, or crazy trying to come up with rent, or maybe, I don’t know, die at a tragically young age. In all seriousness, I really thought I was going to crack my head like an egg.

Here we go, buckle up because this tale is going to be one long, bumpy ride. The bus ride? Amazing. We drove for nearly 64 years, and I was so bored; I thought I was going to croak right on the bus. To top it off, the bus driver’s yakking on his phone a mile a minute, swerving, occasionally speeding up, but he, for the most part, drove like a snail. If you compared our speed to a snail, the snail would be going at Mach 20. It was an arduous journey filled with miserable attempts to kindle conversations with the other sleep-deprived teens on the bus, hefty sighs, and shifting around in my uncomfortable seat. The only thing I wanted at that time was to slip into something more comfortable, like a coma perhaps, however, once we arrived, I was jubilant. I was so enthused, I looked just like a who child stepped out of Whoville during the Christmas season. We set off on our hike after everyone went to the bathroom.

When we were going up the slight incline, I was already gloating prematurely. I found myself thinking that we were only going to be walking, then I had no reason to be wary. This was not the case, as I soon found out. After Mrs. Baker led us to a very tall and rocky path, which was actually not the rock scramble, it was the path to it, I needed to take one hot minute to look at the climb. It looked difficult, the rocks looked painful, and it looked like a struggle. Surprisingly, I was at the front of the group with Mrs. Baker and my hiking-dexterous peers in no time at all.

An amazing thing I discovered about myself is that I liked the trip and that I do like hiking. Sure there were some tall rocks, loose pebbles, and terribly annoying comments, courtesy of my oh-so-astute classmates. But I had fun still and even better, I was a bomb at climbing. Sometimes I thought I was going to be an unfortunate statistic or a vermillion splatter because I wanted to go up higher and faster. Evidently, I’m not very keen on self-preservation, but to be fair, neither were others. Another thing I discovered is that my mountain goat game is strong. I could climb with ease and I wasn’t out of breath at all, so 20 points for Slytherin, please!

There was, unfortunately, a devastating moment on Friday the 25th. The banana that I had carefully packed and was looking forward to eating had exploded. Right in my bag! I was enraged and probably dropped so many curses and insulted the banana that I twisted even Shakespeare’s ears from the grave. On the bright side, my apple, 2 bottles of Arizona Iced Tea, and sandwich that was soaked in ketchup because my mama can sometimes be a little heavy-handed with it, were perfectly fine and dry. This did not deter me and I simply scooped out the nasty mush like a champ, dumped it, and ate the remaining unsmushed banana half.

Sometimes I went too far ahead and Mrs. Baker did not appreciate that, so I hovered around with the A-team. The A-team, a.k.a the athlete team, was a group of schmucks who could (surprisingly) keep up with my energetic climbing frenzy. I don’t really talk to these people in particular, but now I know they’re not half-bad. Just strange sometimes. Often I felt that their 5 cents really did add to the experience and they had some pretty funny things to say along the way.

The best part of my hiking trip was definitely the lemon squeeze. I went after Mrs. Baker who had to help one of my best friends climb up because of her injured wrist. She said the view was pretty, but I wasn’t too interested in that. What I wanted to experience was the infamously cramped lemon squeeze in all of its dark, damp, slimy glory. I did pretty good hauling my butt considering I have little to no upper body strength, and I even helped take the other kids’ bags and helped them climb up if they needed. That’s the third thing I discovered about myself: I like helping others because I want them to enjoy the activity as much as I do. Okay, I lied, I liked helping most of my class. The A-team was pretty much fine so I didn’t need to do much. Overall, I found the view was spectacular and my sandwich, although dripping ketchup, was superb.