Over Memorial Day weekend I went up with some people from my youth group to the Adirondacks to camp, hike and enjoy nature! Now one cannot just go to the Adirondacks and not climb a mountain—so that is exactly what we did! While there are many mountain and high peeks to climb in the Adirondacks, we decided to climb Mount Joe. While on our journey up the 2,876 foot mountain here are a couple of thoughts that went through my mind.

1. This won't be so bad

At the beginning of the journey we are full of energy, ready for this hike and excited for what is to come at the top of the mountain! Having previous experience climbing this mountain and a high peek two years ago, I thought this will be easy; turns out I was wrong!

2. Let's take the shorter path

The shorter path will be easier and we can make it to the top quicker, right? Wrong! What the sign forgets to mention is that there are tons of boulders and rocks that you have to climb up and around.

3. Tell me why we decided to hike up a mountain

After finding out that the shorter path contains huge boulders, difficult paths and the ugly truth that we weren't even halfway up, now I'm beginning to question what we were thinking by deciding to climb up this mountain.

4. Wait, you mean to tell me we are only halfway?

And all this time I thought we were close to the summit! I guess I was wrong...we still have another billion miles to go!

5. Please don't let me fall

While balancing on small and medium sized boulders to climb up this mountain, please don't let me fall and break something, because knowing my track record I can fall on flat surfaces.

6. Almost there

Thank god! I thought I would never hear those words! We have been hiking for hours and now we are almost there! I thought we were almost there two hours ago.

7. Wow, look at that view

At the top of the mountain all you can do is look out and take in the beauty of nature and realize that even though you may have cried a couple of times, you can say that you officially climbed a mountain.

8. Time to head back!

After spending a while at the top and congratulating yourself on a job well done, but take the longer path, climbing up the shorter path was difficult, climbing down will just be a nightmare!

9. Let's take a different path down

The shorter path was a nightmare going up, lets take the longer path going down. I bet that will be easier! You can see the differences between them so that the next time you know which path to take

10. Well that was fun! Now I need a nap

Climbing a mountain takes a lot of energy out of you! After a great hike, the best thing to do is take a nap (and share your memories with others)! Take lots of pictures while at the top and share with your friends!