Written by Qianhui 2022 Cohort
I signed up for a 2-day backpacking event from a club at my university in 2021. Everyone had to carry a heavy backpack, including 1L of water, shoes, clothes, camp, and all kinds of devices we might need in the wild. That was the most challenging trail I have ever gone through. The obstacles are the high temperature, insects, heavy burden on my back, and slippery and muddy ground because of the new rain. All these elements made this trail extremely difficult. However, the view made it worthwhile. Surprisingly, we walked through many natural sites, including a river, a field, and a bamboo forest, and finally stayed halfway to a stone mountain. Sleeping in a camp was a whole new adventure. Lying under the stars, I felt the breeze and the smell of bonfire and soil. But there was no soundproofing in the camp. People talked outside just like talking beside my ears! On the mountain, I was exhausted and fell asleep with sweat and noise. That night, I felt like I was truly living.
That trip was just the beginning. Since then, I’ve tried all sorts of hikes, each offering something unexpected. When I’m out on the trail, I’m not just watching the scenery; I’m fully immersed in it: I smelt the grass, touch the damp earth, and feel the heat from stones. Besides, I met new friends and still keep in touch with some of them until now. As we spent much time on the way, I could hear many incredible life stories from fellow hikers, giving me different perspectives to see the world. People are the most fun part when hiking. Overall, hiking offers me a positive way to feel my life.
But then came 2022. This was the busiest year for me. I had to apply for graduate school and finish my final design to attain my bachelor’s degree simultaneously. Worse, it was no way to hike because of the pandemic lockdown. I lost this efficient way to let go of my anxiety. The combination of all these stuff stressed me, and I had a tough time that year. I missed hiking.
The first hike in 2023 was on last week. My friend and I went to Hawaii for vacation, hiking at one of the most famous trails called “Lanikai Pillbox.” This trail is steep, with no guardrails along the cliff sections. So it can be considered challenging. Luckily, it was very short and had a fantastic view, where you could see the whole Lanikai and Kailua. At the mountain’s peak, we saw many YouTube influencers taking photos in a specific position and making the same gesture. That was an interesting small episode on our way.
This hike is an excellent beginning for this year. I will explore some longer-distance trails in 2023. And, of course, I’ll share all my stories with you!