On Top of the Mountain

Here’s where I’m giving you guys all the details of our hike up Mount Yonah!

We started the hike at 3:30 in the afternoon, each of us carrying everything we’d need to stay the night, and nothing more (because we had to carry everything the entire way up the mountain!). In fact, almost everyone buddied up with someone and had one person carry the tent, and the other person carry the sleeping bags.

We had our personal items, but then we also had to carry something for the community. I carried matches, because although my bag was pretty light, it was stuffed as full as it could get!

Then the hike started! We had no idea what to expect (due to some people not remembering the hike correctly), but we quickly learned that it was not an easy hike. It was strictly uphill and you had to dodge rocks and roots with every step!

My calves started burning only a few steps in, but my mindset has always been to get it over with sooner rather than later, so I maneuvered my way into the fastest group, and stuck with them the entire time!

There wasn’t much conversation, but someone was playing music, so it didn’t feel quiet. It felt like a perfect blend of noise and peace!

We made it to one overlook, and I breathed a sigh of relief thinking we were done. Haha, we were only halfway😢 But at least it looked supercool!

The second half of the hike was harder. It was much steeper, and there was less traction. But we persevered! We made it to the top, and it looked so otherworldly! Like we were looking down on the world from a bird’s eye view!

We set up our tents, started a fire, and relaxed on the summit of the mountain! But unfortunately, we had to be back at base by 8:00 the following morning, so a very early morning hike was in order.

We woke up at 5:00, packed up all of our stuff, and we’re hiking back down by 5:30. Again, I was in the fastest group, but it didn’t work out quite so neatly this time. We kept getting lost and taking accidental short cuts. And we weren’t the only ones!!

However, we did make it out on time, and no one was permanently lost!

The hike really helped me to appreciate the scope of God’s creation, feel closer with my Squadmates, and learn that my experience is determined by my perception of it. I could complain the whole time, or I could be grateful for an opportunity to see God’s creation in a fun, interactive way! I’m so glad I chose the second option!!