Alone

Early Morning, I am awakened from a peaceful sleep as a crow makes his first statement for the day through a nearby tree. I sit still in the cold darkness in my sleeping bag, listening to the other early risers of the deep forest coming to life. This is the second day on my three-day solo trek, and today is much colder than that of yesterday. Opening the eyes, I spot a glimpse of light on the far horizon, dark blue and black everywhere else. I close the zipper of my sleeping bag and drift back to sleep.

Once again I am awakened, except this time by the day light. As I rise from my bag I am greeted by a smell of cool, sweet mountain air and ashen wood from last night's fire. It is another sunny day, and my muscles ache as I crouch down to build a fire for tea. While the fire breaks and crackles, I take a short walk near the ridge to have breathtaking morning view and to say ‘Hello’ and ‘Good Morning’ to the ranges. On the way back, I spot a deer on a hill just moments before he spots me. “How can anyone kill you?” I say softly to myself as I reach to my backpack for my camera. He notices me, and runs swiftly up and over the hill. I snap a picture of the empty woods. “Another great picture!”

I boil some water, and mix the tea ingredients. Over to cups of tea and a Maggie,….. my breakfast menu. I plan my days hike in an effort to avoid the pain of packing up my belongings again and putting them on my back. Today's hike takes me mostly downhill, past a large stream and then across a highway. Once past the highway, I will travel steeply up a 500-feet cliff and then meander over and through small hills and valleys until I reach my next shelter. While enjoying the tea, I take the map out to estimate the kilometers and time. I count the contour lines. It is all so important, and enjoyable. I wait for more time enjoying more cups of tea.
Its time to go!

Packing at home for hikes is an enthusiastic task. But when you spend the entire day in the woods and have literally moved every item to a new location within your backpack, you are bound to get frustrated. Where is my damned toothbrush? I know I packed about 200 matches and a lighter, yet all I see is flint! But can’t help. I can’t afford to get frustrated, especially when I’m alone in the woods. Adaptability is the only thing I can do.
Now I travel speedily down a long, windy, downhill trail with the smell of dewy green leaves all around me. Melodious voices of various birds come to my ears. The sun has got much stronger, so I stop at nearby brook to take my jacket off and tie it around my pack. Feels like great time to drink the purest form of water. “Ah...” , ice cold just like I like it. I top up my bottles as well.

Once again I hit the trail and reach the highway.

What a feeling! Cars zipping by, with people in a mad dash…..are speeding towards their destination. And here I am, standing perfectly still, where I need to be. They look at me as they drive by. I imagine what they wonder, “Where is he coming from?” or “Do you think he needs something?” It amuses me as I wait for a break in traffic to cross.

I see myself behind the doors of the car. I remember the days I passed by the backpackers. I got a feeling of being at a wrong place. That I was missing something so monumentally important by not being out on the trail. As a backpacker, I feel proud.

Now I have crossed the highway and I begin climbing the steep rocks. Negotiating each step as I focus from ledge to ledge. I reach a point where looking around my arm I can see those same cars zipping by like matchbox cars on a plastic track below me. Now the wind has picked up as well.

I am standing on a small rock ledge several hundred feet above ground level and have no choice but to push myself up to the next small ledge above me. Halfway through the process, my arms give up. I remove my backpack and try to put it on to a wider ledge above my right. The motion of the pack pulls my left leg clear off the ledge below and I barely able to maintain my balance. I manage to put my backpack on that ledge and try to catch a hold of grip on a nearby rock projection. The whole process causes a twist in my right arm. A feeling of heat rises within my body. Unwilling to die, I manage to reach a safer place. Now I am able to pull my body to the next ledge... where I will sit for half an hour.

Sitting on a rock I watch the breathtaking view of the ranges around and smooth highway. My body is pretty exhausted and heart beating fast as never before, I take sips of energy drink. I recall the countless reasons why you shouldn't hike alone. Hiking with a partner is wise and safe. But there are times when doing it alone allow the deepest self-reflection possible.

With refreshed mind and body, I look back at the remaining rock patch. Ready to climb again………
And so my hike continues through the meandering mountains, and to the shelter I reach safely. To my pleasant surprise, I find a trail register where I jot down this story in my sloppy handwriting. A new fire is lit and Daal Khichadi is on the menu. The lights fade and the crickets awaken. It is early morning for them. They wake from their restful sleep as I make my last statement of the day... "Good night."