This page was created by Alison Morgan. The last update was by students at Xavier University.
Hike to the Top
Before we can start our hike, we spray ourselves with enough bug spray to be effective the entire hike, although no one actually knows how long this hike will last. By now, we have learned our lesson to carry enough bug spray on us because we have suffered the itch from enough mosquito bites already. We begin our hike, going off into the unknown, trusting the leader of the pack to take us on a safe and memorable journey. Within ten minutes, the energy of the group has continued to grow in excitement and determination that we will make it to the top.
The beginning of the trail starts off as a clear path that has been worn down by other hikers throughout the season. But within a mile, the hike becomes more treacherous and the path has become less visible. We have no choice but to cross over streams of cold mountain water and completely cover our shoes with mud, unless one decides to stop and make their way back to the trailhead. Although my body is shocked by the chilled temperature of the water in the stream, my excitement continues to rise. I am determined to keep going even though I can feel the blister forming on the back of my ankle.
We continue our hike, winding around trees of all sorts and gazing at the marvelous wildflowers that have come along our path. The leader of the group knows the name of all the wildflowers we come upon, making the flowers even more intriguing. At the moment we stopped to study the flowers, I realize there has been no evidence from humans along the trail, except for a few footprints. If humans took more action to preserve the land, we could have more areas as beautiful and untouched as this one.
Along the way, I was pondering what life would be like if humans took better care of the planet, but I also had to be vigilant and keep an eye out for bears and other wild animals, too. Thankfully, we were coached earlier in the week for what to do if we ever encountered a bear. With bear spray in hand, I was still nervous to encounter the animal who has the strength to kill a human being.
Soon enough, we hiked high enough in elevation where there was little to no chance that we would encounter a bear. This meant we were getting closer to our destination. We took a ten minute rest in a peaceful meadow to regain our energy for the final trek to the top. Although a few people in the group decided to stay behind, I was determined to continue on. As we continued hiking, the temperature was changing, from warm with a slight breeze to chilly with high winds. This was a sign that we were almost to the top. We started coming upon patches of snow and a rough and narrow uphill climb was in the distance.
By this point of the journey, my legs started becoming unsteady and my breathing was getting heavier and heavier. But, I was determined to keep going and nothing was going to stop me. We had less than a mile to go to get to the top of Taylor Mountain, which really did not sound too strenuous after the distance we have already hiked. However, this is when my fear of falling started to appear. The trail became very narrow and curved around drop-offs that would cause severe injuries if you fell. I had to put my fear aside and focus on the goal. To distract myself from thinking about falling, I started thinking about the journey I have taken to get to this last portion of the hike. The beauty that I saw along the way was breathtaking and nothing like there is back home in the city.
Before I knew it, we were on the ridge of the mountain and walking the last few meters to reach our destination. Once I was able to become steady on my feet, I could not believe the site I was seeing. Clear, blue sky and miles of land covered with mountains off in the distance. We did it! We trekked over seven miles and 4,000 feet through streams, snow and rocks to get this breathtaking view. Everyone was marveling at the view from the top and taking in every last moment we had up there. I’ve learned through this journey that the best view comes from the most difficult climb.
As we were walking back down the path, I realized that this adventure has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation of nature and wildlife that most people have forgotten. I was given the opportunity to see God’s work on our land from a different view. Not many people get to experience this journey that I have been on. I felt a connection to the environment that I have never felt before and have realized how all creatures and aspects of the environment, including humans, are related. I have seen the beauty God has given us. Not just to humans, but to all animals, plants, rocks, water, and all other creations. We all live and thrive off this land. Every person and animal who have walked this land have a relationship; past, present, and future. We all survive off of the resources of the Earth which God has created, and it is our responsibility to preserve it.
Artist’s Statement
I am a sophomore at Xavier University and I am majoring in Special Education. I am also a member of the cross country and track teams at Xavier. I really enjoy travelling and spending my time outside with nature, which is a big reason why I enjoy running so much.The essay, “Hike to the Top”, is a reflection of one of the many experiences I had in Jackson Hole, Wyoming through the Xavier Expeditions trip. I flew to Jackson Hole last summer not knowing what I would get out of this trip. I left Wyoming with several new and exciting memories and a new perspective of the natural world. I have always loved nature and I take my part to preserve it as much as I can by recycling and understanding how my actions can negatively affect it. However, I never experienced the type of connection I felt with it, until I came to Wyoming.
Hiking to the top of Taylor Mountain was one of the more memorable experiences this trip provided, and a time where I really felt a deeper connection to the environment around me. At the start of the hike, I was uncertain how far we would go, if we would actually make it to the top, and what we would see up there. To my surprise, the view from the top was even more beautiful than I imagined. After walking hours on this trail and gradually growing more and more tired, I knew the view was going to be spectacular and definitely worth every effort. As stated in the essay, I’ve learned from this experience that the best view comes from the most difficult climb. Our journey along the way, especially a longer and more treacherous one, would build up one’s excitement to see the peak of their hike.
Through my essay, “Hike to the Top”, I have expressed my definition of green art to be one that comes from a personal experience. I have discovered that green literature gives nature a deeper meaning by portraying it realistically. It shows nature as it truly exists, instead of portraying it how we wish to see it. Back home in the city, it is more difficult to find a connectedness with nature because humans are taking control over it by constructing the land for their own benefit and thoughtlessly littering the environment. During my time in Wyoming, I saw a whole new perspective of the natural world, which I never knew existed. Being at the top of Taylor Mountain and looking out into the distance at the mountain range was picture-perfect. Everyone needs to experience this connectedness with nature and see the untouched environment to fully understand the beauty that is around us.
I chose to write about my experience hiking the trail to the peak of Taylor Mountain because I have learned a lot about myself and the world around me through this adventure. I obtained a whole new appreciation for the environment as I hiked through stream, snow and rocks for hours. I found myself one with nature and understand how important it is in my life. I have a new appreciation for all forms of nature, including the bears protecting their land, the freezing cold mountain water soaking my shoes, and the wild flowers growing along the path. Everyone and everything has a certain role in the environment and are related to each other in a way that will help one another thrive. We all live off the land. Sadly, a portion of the land is being destroyed by human action.
I understand the reality that humans, including myself, can do a better job to preserve the environment, instead of slowly destroying it. Most people are oblivious to the fact that we could potentially be leading to the fall of the human race. This is the reality green literature portrays. It depicts life as it actually exists.
The theme of the essay, the best view comes after the hardest climb, can be applied to many factors in life and can give us the motivation to start taking the action to preserve our land. We have to work to reach our goal of creating a healthier environment, but it will take endurance and determination along the way. Green literature helps express the reality we must face in order to turn our fantasy of a healthy and sustainable environment into a reality.
Media: Seigle, Bernhard. Mountain Trail. Digital image. Deviant Art. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2016
