Out in the Wilderness

Almost two years ago, my younger brother and I went on one of the most exhilarating trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville. It was a 2-mile hike to the top of the summit with an exceptional panoramic view. The trail took us through tunnels of rhododendron, gnarled sweet birch trees, and wildflowers. It was foggy when we reached the top, blocking our view of the sunset. Even then, it felt so refreshing up there with the wind brushing against our face. There was a woman standing further out where she was dressed in her wedding gown, posing for her bridal photoshoot. She looked so angelic in her white gown and in the backdrop of the lush green mountains. The following day, we did a 3-mile roundabout trip to see the Glen Burney fall. This mountain trip is still my favorite hiking trip because it was my first hiking venture, and I had a great time bonding with my mom and brother.

I go on hiking trips occasionally with friends around North Carolina and nearby states. My mom gets annoyed whenever I go hiking. It’s hard to describe to her how surreal it feels to be out there. I get so excited the day before a hike that I can’t even fall asleep. While strolling along the plains, you can’t help appreciate God’s creative work. He created such things in an orderly fashion like the birds chirping, the petrichor scent produced by the forest after a rain and the beauty of the lush meadow in the spring. It’s that nature God created for us which ignites our senses and the soul. It feels so empowering every time I set forth on a hike because it helps me regain my self-confidence. Every moment we spend in nature is an amazing opportunity to know more about ourselves and the world we live in. Being immersed in nature keeps you grounded in the present moment, so you can have both mental and emotional clarity. I am more self-aware about my surroundings and movements like how I’m moving my feet, the weight on my back, and the feeling of truly being alive. Living in a pressured society, it is a common human intrinsic to feel judged upon all the time. In fact, nature teaches us to be authentic and to be our natural self by being alone with yourself in a non-judgmental atmosphere.

During one February when I was hiking with my friends at the McKnobb Mountain in Virginia, I forgot to bring my gloves. When we reached the top, it was brutally windy and around 20 Fahrenheit at that high elevation. I tried to keep my hands in the pocket of my jacket, but that wasn’t much help. After a while, my hands felt so numb and they were really swollen. Another woman standing off to the side came up to me and gave me her extra pair of gloves. I ate few wraps we had and drank tons of water to keep myself warm. As we started descending down, I felt better and my hands stopped swelling. Another time when we were hiking Stone Mountain, it took us about six hours to complete the hike in the grueling heat. When we climbed back down, we stopped for a water break by a water pump. Living in the western world, we sometimes neglect to enjoy the small luxuries in life like witnessing a sunrise or sunset, being able to stay warm, having adequate water, and being able to sit down for a meal with your family.  

To be honest, it’s been quite a while since I went on a hike. I have been eager to use the hiking boots my brother gifted me for Christmas. In the past few months, I have been occupied to accomplish things that are required for graduate school. Even when my life gets busier and I start a family, I hope I’ll still be able to lace up my boots, load up my backpack and go on an adventure. Despite all the challenges that come along with hiking and long treks, I am so determined to see what kind of trails I come across and the things they will offer me.