The Trail Awaits: My Hiking Adventure and Life Lessons

 

Challenges in life are like mountain trails sometimes straightforward, often grueling, but always enlightening. Even if you’ve mastered the art of problem-solving, some paths will demand more from you than you expect. My recent hiking adventure reminded me of this. Starting any project whether it’s climbing a mountain, launching a new business, or just getting through the week requires grit. The journey won’t always be easy, but here’s the beauty: you don’t have to go it alone. If you allow yourself to be vulnerable, recognize when you need help, and seek assistance from the right people, you’ll find strength in collaboration. May the Almighty grant us ease in all our affairs.

Now, grab your favorite steaming cup of tea as I take you along on this hike with me.

Saturday Shenanigans

Ah, Saturdays the universal reset day. For some, it’s about weddings, picnics, or sipping and painting with friends. For others, it’s packed with lectures and errands. For me and my crew, Saturdays are for hiking! How else do you honor God’s breathtaking landforms, right?

The plan had been set the night before. My neighbors, who are also my friends, and I decided to join Naija Adventure for a guided hike. But of course, life decided to spice things up. Not only did I have two meetings to attend after the hike, but I was also determined to be on time for everything. The phrase “I can have it all” echoed in my head. Spoiler alert: having it all comes with its price.

The Morning Hustle

The day began with a glorious sunrise. The amber glow stretching across the horizon was a gentle reminder that this was going to be an extraordinary day. I woke up early to say my prayers, prep for the hike, and organize everything I’d need for my meetings later.

Meanwhile, my friend was also getting ready. As he was done cleaning his car, I put the key in and started it up to warm it for the ride. I even offered to help with his shoes, but he ended up doing it himself, so I shifted my focus to double-checking my gear and protein-packed breakfast (four boiled eggs because hiking requires fuel). And a bowl of white rice and stew we shared together and one of us had to take the food to eat in the car since we were later. Just when we thought we were ready, one of my friends realized they’d forgotten their medication. Thankfully, we weren’t far from home, so we circled back to grab it.

Arrival and First Impressions

Finally, we made it to the meeting point, where needed to buy our ticket then lovely Miss Yettud graciously paid our tickets. May Almighty Bless her generosity (May her pockets never run dry, amen!) Let me gist what happened, one of our friend actually set her up to pay  because it her birthday 😂 

From there, we carpooled to Kubwa’s Brick City, the site of our hike.

The mountains were mesmerizing. At first glance, they seemed to invite us with a silent challenge: “Come, conquer me!” But as we began the climb, the mountains had a different message: “Or maybe I’ll conquer you.”

The Climb: Trials and Triumphs

The trail started off easy enough, but the further we climbed, the more demanding it became. After about 30 minutes, we came across a flowing river. It was a picturesque moment, but what stood out most was the sight of an elderly Gbagyi woman descending the mountain with firewood balanced on her neck. Her strength and resilience were nothing short of inspiring.

The path narrowed, forcing us to walk single file. Overtaking someone meant risking a run-in with dried grass and hidden thorns. I, ever the adventurer, decided to bypass the queue by scaling a mini incline, well am not alone on this. My adrenaline surged, and I felt like a superhero for about five minutes. I comment those who were patience with others and their self.

Reaching the summit was exhilarating, but my eyes immediately locked onto another, taller mountain in the distance. Could I resist the temptation to climb it? Of course not! I joined a small group heading in that direction, but halfway up the steep incline, I got stuck. For a moment, it felt like a scene from a survival movie. Everyone was struggling, and no one could spare a hand. (I summon the positive spirit of hiking in to push me through) I had to dig deep, muster all my courage, and push forward. When I finally reached the top, the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. It took us 45mins to get to the top of the mountain. 

As I rested and took in the breathtaking view, I tried calling a friend to share the moment. No answer. Instead, I struck up a conversation with a fellow hiker who told me about his adventures around the world. “I want to be like you when I grow up,” I joked.

The Descent: A Lesson in Wisdom

If climbing the mountain was tough, coming down was a whole new challenge. My shoes had zero grip, so every step felt like a potential disaster. I decided to follow someone stronger and more experienced someone who seemed to have mastered the art of descending gracefully. With their help, I made it down in one piece. On my  google fit app, I got 13,728 steps, we covered 7.67km in total we spend 3h17mins, bravo! 👏 

The Aftermath

After the hike, I quickly shifted gears and headed to my meeting. Despite arriving late, I didn’t let it ruin my confidence. I showed up, took responsibility for the delay, and stayed focused. However, I was charged for arriving late a gentle reminder that punctuality has its rewards. Luckily, they pardoned me, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, my other meeting was canceled not from my end, but still a huge relief. It gave me time to rest, reflect, and truly appreciate the day.

I am super grateful for these experience, here are what I learnt from this hiked experience.

Lessons from the Trail

This hike wasn’t just a physical journey; it was a metaphor for life itself. Here are the lessons I took away:

1. Prepare Your Body and Mind: Challenges will test you in unexpected ways, but preparation can make all the difference.

2. There’s Always a Solution: When faced with obstacles, remember that there’s often more than one path forward. Just be prepared for the consequences of your choices.

3. Run Your Own Race: Your journey is unique. Don’t copy someone else’s process blindly; what works for them might not work for you.

4. Speak Up When You Need Help: A closed mouth is a closed door. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

5. Enjoy the Process: Life isn’t just about reaching the finish line; it’s about appreciating the journey along the way.

6. Your Words Matter: What you tell yourself especially in tough moments can shape your experience.

Final Thoughts

Life’s challenges whether they come as steep inclines, missed deadlines, or forgotten medications are opportunities to grow. And just like on the trail, there are always people willing to help if you’re willing to ask. So, whether you’re climbing literal mountains or navigating life’s twists and turns, remember: it’s not just about reaching the summit it’s about the courage to start, the wisdom to persevere, and the joy of the journey.

Now, who’s ready for the next adventure?