When I was 17, I was invited on a 4-day trip to hike Mt. Whitney
in California. Mt. Whitney’s elevation is 14,505',
which is one of the tallest peaks to climb in the United States. I thought to
myself what an accomplishment that would be if I was able to summit that
mountain. I loved to hike, and I had been on many previous hikes, but none to
that length and difficulty. I accepted the challenge, knowing that it was
spread across 4 days so I would be able to handle it with ease.
As I began the journey, I felt great
and had extreme confidence I would make it to the first campsite in no time. It
began to rain shortly after, and it rained hard. Wind was also a factor as we
got soaked and everything we brought with us was wet as well. I started to get
feelings of quit and doubt that I wanted to complete this hike. I could easily
hike back to the car in a couple hours. Then I realized, when would I ever get
this opportunity again?
Once I started to become humble and appreciate this challenge, my World changed. I was in an environment that I may never see again. It was a beautiful hike with lakes, all sorts of vegetation, and wildlife. Rain was part of nature. I began to appreciate that too, because even though it affected me in a negative way, it affected everything around me in a positive way. I had a lot of time to think on that hike, and it made me realize that I would not be on this hike if nature didn't exist. There would be no mountain to climb, or lakes to swim in, trees to climb, etc. By the time I reached the top, my new appreciation for nature and the outdoors was solidified. The view was worth the struggle, and now every time it rains or snows, and I begin to feel depressed, I remember that hike and why we need nature to live.
