I peaked in college.
But not actually. At least I hope that I don't peak in college. The kind of peak I'm talking about is a different kind of peak -- Mission Peak. Mission Peak, a "must-do" hike in the Bay Area, has been on my hiking wish list for quite some time, but it wasn't until last weekend that I decided to finally suck it up and do it. Alone.
I know what you're thinking. That I'm crazy or weird or who in their right minds would think it's a great idea to hike alone? You're right. But ever the oudoorswoman, not swayed by my friends who would rather poke their eyeballs out than go on a hike, I decided to just go for it. Being alone doesn't bother me. I'm an only child and am extremely comfortable with being alone. Plus, I had a crazy week at school and work, and thought the fresh air might do me some good.
The preparation for my hike began several days in advance. After meticulous research and telling every single one of my friends that I was going on a solo hike (in case I, you know, died or something), the time had come. I awoke Saturday morning bright-eyed and fresh, ready for the day ahead. Jumping out of bed at lightning speed, I remembered my most recent Costco purchase: a Camelbak hydration pack. Ah, what a day to be alive! I filled up my hydration pack, shoved a few granola bars in, and was on my merry way.
Walking through campus to my car was eerily quiet. It was 8:30 in the morning, after all, and most people were probably still sleeping off their crazy Friday nights. I've always wanted to be one of those people that wakes up early and gets their life together -- and here I was. I had my life together.
Driving to Mission Peak was NBD. It is conveniently located 15 or 20 minutes north of campus and the parking gods were smiling upon me because someone happened to be pulling out of their parking spot just as I was driving by. It was going to be a good day. I put my headphones in, sent out a mass snapchat blast of "#MeredithsSoloHike" and continued along.
Boy, was I unprepared. I mean, I did have my hydration pack and my hiking boots, but I was not prepared for how steep the trail was. To make matters worse, it had stormed the evening before and there was mud everywhere. But I sucked it up and kept going. After my calves basically went numb from the uphill trek, I was able to pass the families with ease. I had no clue why anyone would ever take small children on this hike, but whatever. I passed them and moved on.
Despite the thigh/calf/glute burning workout, the scenery was amazing. Some of the pictures on Yelp looked a little dingy and brown, so I didn't know what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the landscape. The grass was green, the sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom, and the cows out and about.
After about an hour or so, I finally saw the summit. About darn time. My legs were burning, I realized that I had forgotten to put on sunscreen (sorry Mom!), and my iPod "Turn Up AF" playlist was about to repeat itself. Basically, I needed to get to the top ASAP. Despite nearly slipping off a sheer cliff due to my notoriously unsteady footing, I made it to the top -- only to be greeted by a massive line. I mean, I had conquered the mountain -- all 2,500 feet of it -- and I needed a photo.
Although I had to wait nearly 30 minutes to take my darn photo and had to direct a small photoshoot for the group of high schoolers in front of me, I was able to begin my descent. Normally, going down a mountain is much easier than going up, but I was proven wrong. After basically half-trotting down the bumpy three miles and narrowly escaping being chased by an angry cow, I made it to my car!
My legs were shaking (thanks for nothing, cycling class), I was starving, and my phone was on its last legs, but I made it! I finally got to do a hike that I've been dying to do for a few years, and it was something that I did by myself. And you know what? I was never bored or lonely. I do like hiking with other people, but this was something that I needed. I had some much needed alone time and had a great time!
So, the moral of the story is: don't be afraid to do things by yourself sometimes -- it just might be more fun that way. And if you're doing a particularly difficult hike, treat yourself to Taco Bell afterwards. Always.
