Have you ever had a goal in mind? Imagine planning for it for months. But occasionally you have to decide to turn back and alter the way you’ll reach your goal. Sometimes being so immersed into the original plan blinds your judgment.
After hiking for 12 days along the International Appalachian trail without too many mishaps I was convince I would reached my end goal following my original plan. My pride and confidence made me push forward. On the morning of May 31st I looked out to see fog and rain. I was so close to the Lewis Hills and set into traversing across the tallest mountain of Newfoundland. Therefore I made the decision to keep on hiking that morning. The fog didn’t seem so bad at that point and it seemed like it might even clear by mid-day.
So I packed up my things, put on my rain jacket and pants and tied my gaiters. I quickly left the 28 km long dirt road to find myself onto the approach trail to the Fox Island River. At one point I realized that I couldn’t even see the Lewis Hills but I didn’t want to have walked that far just to turn around. I wanted to at least have a peek at the river to know if all the previous rain had made it impossible to cross. Worst case I could turn back then, without too many regrets. To my surprise it was only waist deep in one section. The visibility was better at lower elevation thus I kept on pushing forward. I followed the rocky path all the way to the end of the gully, just before the final ascent.
At that point I already had gained a few hundred meters and the fog was rolling in, visibility had drastically dropped to 5-10 meters only. To top it up there was huge patches of snow and a steep slope to climb up. I sat down for a few minutes, rain beating on my face and wind cooling me down. An internal battle was happening. I wanted so bad to complete the traverse in one continuous stretch. However this weather was clearly making it impossible. Without even mentioning that I would have to navigate with my map and compass as soon as I reached the top of the gulch as there are no trails.
I already had hiked 10 kms and knew that by turning back I would have another 44 kms or so to hike out of here. Head down with the rain coming straight at me I turned back. Frustration and defeat were eating me alive. I yelled out alone in the middle of this incredible landscape: “Lewis Hills I will be back”. The worst of it is that I had to cross the frigid water of Fox Island River once more. I took off my hiking boots and pants and waded across. At least a steep climb ahead would warm me up real fast.
The fog was getting thicker and it made it challenging to follow the path. I met up further up the trail with my friends who were coming in to apparently rescue me or retrieve my dead body.
The previous night a message hadn’t sent from my Spot Connect and my partner and friends were all worried sick. They then organized their own Search & Rescue party. Luckily I got a surprise ride out of the mountains and ate some pizza and pastries in Stephenville surrounded by all my good friends that night.
Live Wildly Intrepid!
Carpe Diem!
Alex
2 thoughts on “When to turn back?”
You are pretty damn inspiring Alex.
Thank you for such great comment. Everyone should follow their dreams. We are kings or queens of our lives.