Random Thoughts

The Hike

01/01/2025

Hiking is somewhat considered a tradition in our family. Every year on the first day of the first month, my mum and my step-dad would drive up a mountain and we would spend the day under one-hundred-degree weather and infuriating bird-chirping. Many people believe that the first day of the year defines that entire year; hence I suppose that is the cause of my notorious bad luck. Imagining this year would not be any different, I had emotionally prepared myself for the damage that this hike may cause by repeatedly listening to sombre music for the length of the car trip.

For the record, no one in my family had been on this particular trail before. For that reason, it was quite a surprise when the first step in our hike began with a seven-storey high bridge that looked like it was tilted on a suspicious angle and defied the laws of physics.

Thus began my treacherous journey of life and death. It had rained the day before, and the sodden earth gave off its revolting petrichor. For four hours and thirty-seven minutes, I furiously battled with acacia leaves, narrowly avoiding snake holes and dirt splashes as my life was threatened time and time again in painstakingly small intervals. Never in my life had I ever been faced with such severe circumstances.

I almost fainted with relief when my sore eyes landed on the glorious sight of the car park. Clambering into the backseat, I secured my headphones and prepared myself for the sombre ride home.

To summarise, the moral of this recount is simple: don't, under any circumstances, hike on the first of January.