"Hike Every Mountain...Slip Very Low..."

Published on April 24, 2007 By InBloom In Pets & Nature

My class and I went on a hiking field trip last week to our local mountains:

I'd never been hiking. This particular hiking trip has been described as "gentle" by a web site. The park ranger said it was more at the moderate level, but NOTHING we couldn't handle. So, hearing this, I thought all would be okay.

You could imagine my surprise when, about five minutes into the walk (with me leading a long trail of kids), I was almost out of breath. I couldn't believe it....and we still had about 40 minutes to go to get to our goal, which was a cave near the top of a mountain.

First thing I thought was 'OMG...I am NOT going to make it!.' But what can I do...I had 26 sets of eyes looking to me for guidance...and I kept trudging on. Every few minutes I had to stop to catch my breath....this was pretty embarassing consideringmost of the kids looked fine.

Let me tell you, there was nothing "gentle" about the trail. It got steeper, it got very rocky, and a bit dangerous to a sorta-out-of-shape woman like me. At this point, even some of the kids were having trouble hiking up. There was a small moment there where I thought I was going to have a heart attack...seriously. I was that out of breath and that exhausted.

Well, to make a long story short, we finally reached the cave. The kids were hyper and excited to have reached the top. I was grateful to have made it alive. I would have enjoyed the view more, but I was already trying to figure out how I'd maneuver through all those slippery rocks and pebbles on the way down.

Well, on the way down I slipped on some rocks (as did one or two other kids...luckily with only so much as a scrape). In order to stop the slipping I slammed my palms down on two big rocks. Ouch! It hurt like heck. The kids froze as they saw their teacher slip and slide down, and finally land on her bum.

I sat there silently for a few seconds, then said, "It's okay...I'm okay. Just give me a minute." It was horrible and funny at the same time, actually. I can only imagine how I looked as I went bumpety bumping down the rocks.

It was an exhausting day. I think I'd like to go back when it's just me and one or two other people...I think I'd be able to take my time more and get a better feel of it. I don't think, though, that I'd ever do this again with a large group. Too stressful.

Kudos to you outdoorsy, hiking-types. Maybe I should step out of my front door more.

p.s. sorry for the choppy writing...did this in a bit of a hurry.

Comments

InBloom

on Apr 24, 2007

btw, how do I get rid of the "bold" problem???

Sugar High Elf

on Apr 24, 2007

I don't know how to get rid of the bold problem... but about the other stuff

What a beautiful mountain! Looks like a great view. I love to hike, but I don't get to do it near as often as I would like.

Sorry you had such a rough go of it. That wouldn't be a fun experience if you were with a few close friends or family... much less with a group of students. Nature should never be taken in large groups... too much noise. I hope you get to go back and enjoy yourself.

Glad you escaped with only a few bumps and bruises. I hope there's no permanent damage.

dynamaso

on Apr 24, 2007

Heya Rose, I'm glad you made it back down in one piece.

Hiking is fun!

Zoologist03

on Apr 24, 2007

Bwahahaha! I'm out of shape but I do love a good adventure.

~Zoo

Dr Guy

on Apr 24, 2007

What is the name of the range? Farther west, we have the San Bernadino and the San Diego Ranges (minor sprigs of the Sierra Nevada I think). None are really that high (about a mile tops). I was curious if that was considered part of the Rockies - or has its own nomenclature.

lifehappens

on Apr 24, 2007

sorry that you had such a rough time...

InBloom

on Apr 24, 2007

SHE

I hope you get to go back and enjoy yourself.

Me, too.

And I hope the kids are able to go back to and enjoy it with their families.

I hope there's no permanent damage.

Nah...just some sore muscles, a bruise, and the embarassment of slipping...lol.

InBloom

on Apr 24, 2007

Mark

Hiking is fun!

I'm sure it is.

Too bad my first experience with it wasn't that great...lol.

Bwahahaha! I'm out of shape but I do love a good adventure.

~Zoo

I need to be more adventurous like you, Zoo.

InBloom

on Apr 24, 2007

It is the Franklin Mountain range, Doc. We actually have other ranges in our area--in New Mexico and east of us as well.

InBloom

on Apr 24, 2007

sorry that you had such a rough time...

If I were in better shape, I am sure it wouldn't have been as bad.

I'd really like to try it again, though...I'm sure I'll be better prepared.

Shovelheat

on Apr 24, 2007

I wanna go! I love to go hiking and that sounds like a cool place.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!