Life, Death, and a 20 Mile Hike

Sweat dripped down my face as we hiked from Niles to the Bay Area. It was the 20-mile hike that I had to partake in to complete the Hiking Merit Badge for Scouting. On September 17, 2019, I was going to complete the Hiking Merit Badge. After one 5-mile hike, three 10-mile hikes, and a long 15-mile hike, this was the last one.

After a drive from the meeting place, Warm Springs Elementary School, to Niles, a few other scouts and I used the bathroom. I looked at my watch and realized it was 7 AM! I smiled, knowing we would finish the hike before dinner! My dad walked over to me and said that I should use the bathroom now so I won’t have to later. I sighed. I could smell the putrid bathroom from here. 10 minutes later, everyone was ready to hike. We grabbed our day packs and set off. I think ‘There’s no turning back now’. Even though it was very early in the morning, the sun was already beating down on us. After the first hour, I was sweating. We finished 2 miles and took our first break. I ripped open the bag of trail mix I had packed and tossed a handful of walnuts and craisins in my mouth. I sighed, feeling energized and ready to hike again. Mr. Chen, the hiking merit badge counselor said, “Break’s over. Let’s go!”

We stood up and kept hiking. At around 3 miles, my ankle started to shoot spikes up my leg. I started listening to mystery-themed audiobooks and music to distract me from the pain. I was walking alongside my dad, sweating, hiking, and determined to complete the merit badge. I thought, “I’m not going to let my ankle stop me.”

After I figured out who the culprit was in every mystery audiobook I downloaded and listened to my music playlist 3 times, I was bored, and my ankle was firing spikes once again. I started to talk to my dad about his childhood memories and how it was different from now. We also deeply talked about outer space, a great passion of ours. After we had completed about 7 miles, my dad got a call from his friend who had moved to Georgia last year. He was in town and wanted to meet us. He came to the South parking lot of the area and 10 minutes later, we saw him. I was excited! After all, I hadn’t seen him in a year. After letting Mr. Chen know we would catch up with him, we walked to the South parking lot and saw our old friend waiting. After a quick conversation and a few pictures, we were ready to get back on the trail.

However, when we were just getting on the trail, my dad said he was tired and wanted to stay back a little to talk with his friend. I was okay with that because I knew they were best friends, so I kept hiking. I knew I could talk with my mom. I kept myself determined by thinking I was a better hiker than my dad. After about ten minutes, I caught up with the rest of the group. They were taking a short break under a large oak tree. I let Mr. Chen know that my dad would join us when we came back to this area. We resumed hiking again. I face-timed my mom and talked with her while hiking. She was motivating me and trying to entertain me. She even tried to show me the movie Aladdin through her camera. At last, we reached the halfway point! 10 miles done… and 10 to go. It was around 12:30 PM, and we sat down near the area where land and water met. I unwrapped my turkey sandwich and finished eating in 5 minutes. I spent the rest of my time listening to my mom crack jokes about how tired I would be when I got home and all the chores I would need to do.

We discussed things from the milk tea I would get when I got home to what my little sister was up to. I finally reached the South Parking Lot. My dad was there sitting down listening to an audiobook. I hugged him and we continued the hike. My ankle hurt more now, and with every break we took, my legs were getting sore. My mood was getting crankier and I was tired. We had 5 miles left - all uphill. I grumbled, contemplating why I had chosen to do this. I fell behind with my dad and at one point, we couldn’t see the rest of the group. My legs were tired, my ankle was throbbing, and I just wanted to go home. I was exhausted. I dragged my feet while walking. My dad tried to cheer me up by playing small games.

After a little bit of speed walking, we saw that one of the other Scouts was also falling behind. We talked to him while hiking and taking breaks. We knew this hike would end up being an amazing memory that would always be with us. After an hour of misery, we reached the end. I joyously hugged my dad and realized what an amazing journey it was. We used the restroom once again, jumped into the cars, and headed home. When I reached home, I was welcomed with ice to relieve the pain, milk tea, a TV remote, and my mom and sister who had supported me along the way. The hiking merit badge: ✔ ✔ ✔… DONE!

By Divya