Crossing Story Cont’d…
I made it though.
And once I safely made it down to the lakes, I grabbed a seat (aka sat on a rock) right beside the emerald lake and basked in the amazing feat I just accomplished.
This is where I joined everyone else and ate my lunch – a ham and cheese sandwich with a snack. I drank my water and tried to take it all in. I snapped some photos and wondered why all these crazy people (including myself) were even here. But then I looked at the lakes and realized “Ahh. Yes. You” (never mind that they stank of sulfur eh but dey still pretty).
I took about 30mins break before I decided to continue the trek. I’d long given up on the idea of meeting a hiking buddy. At this point I was happy I didn’t because I could go at my own pace, and did not have to engage in conversation while I was doing my best to try and stay alive.
It was also at this point where I saw a sign that said I was 9km in to my 19km hike.
I checked my watch and I was also ONLY 4hours in to my 8 hour hike.
What do you mean I have more than half way to go?
Did I not just almost kill myself to get here? And you’re telling me to survive I still have to go through more? Awdj = ah wah di joke = I can’t believe it.
I gave myself yet another pep talk, “This is what you wanted Alyssa. Adventure. New Experiences. Let’s do this”, and started the next part of the trek.
After hiking up one more hill (nothing in comparison to what I did before) and passing another lake (a deeper but just as pretty blue to the emerald green ones), I started the meandering climb to the bottom.
Part 5 of the climb: The descent
The next four hours consisted of windy (yet sturdy) pathway that was all downhill. A good thing right? Yes. However, my hiking boots were a tad too small, so my weight was falling on my toes a bit too much and made this part of the walk plenty uncomfortable. With about an hours walk left downhill, I swapped them out for my flip flops as I figured there would be nothing too dramatic about the remaining terrain (which there wasn’t luckily).
I’d made a few more pit stops (bathroom and snack wise), and just continued walking. At this point, I started singing soca songs in my head and played them on my phone. It was one of the few things that helped give me the energy I needed to finish. The energy I needed to make sure I got back to civilization i.e the parking lot on the other side.
The shuttle bus company gave us a certain time to get back by. If I missed the last shuttle, that was it for me.
I eventually hiked all the way down, to where vegetation became a thing again and I had trees blocking me from the sun overhead. Eventually, I heard a stream too – LIFE! GREAT!
And sure enough, after the 15 millionth corner I busted around, I saw the light. The beautiful light of sunshine at the end, and the beautiful sound of car tires crunching on gravel.
I waited for about 20 minutes before my shuttle bus arrived. I climbed in the van along with a few other people (none of which were on my shuttle going in) while we sat and waited on the last few others.
In total, it took me 7 hours and 45mins (the suggested time one ‘should take’ is 8 hours) to complete the trek. And my oh my was it one hell of a trek indeed…
Worth it?
Yes.
Would I do it again? Not so sure.
Once I returned home, I had a nice bath, dinner and went straight to bed. I spent the entire next day chilling and relaxed around the house.
I somehow wasn’t half as sore as I thought I would be.
The entire experience was definitely one to remember.
Would I suggest you to do it? Honestly, it depends on your physical and mental strength as that trek is no joke.
But, if you have a sense of adventure, are comfortable with yourself and know you can take on a challenge like that – I say go for it. Definitely go for it.
That’s it from me.
Yours truly,
Global Gyal
0 Comments