First Experience: Mountain Edition

by Hilda Fitria (Indonesia)

A leap into the unknown Indonesia

I could see it from the rice field behind my uncle's home; I could see it from the 4th floor of my faculty. They are standing tall at 1818 meters above sea level, Manglayang Mountain. It was the reason why I choose the university in this city. To explore the nature, for the exciting adventure! Without much thought, I packed water and bread to my bag and begin the journey. I did not know the way, only know it was going up from my university till the campground. Just follow the road! I thought to myself. It takes 4 hours walk and a lot of asking the local to reach the campground, turned out I took the long up and down hills and yet it did not deter me from starting to hike the mountain. From the first step I entered the campground, it was wonderful. Pine trees everywhere. You could feel the chilly air of a mountain, the combined smell of soil and pine, the sound of leaves blows by the wind as well as a little chattering of the local that sells food and beverages and some camper. It was past 2 pm when I start ascending to the ridge. There was a 55° uphill trail with just weed and thatch before I enter the woods that covered the mountain. From there, I could see the city, it was vast, the houses looks so tiny and cute with their various roof color. I felt so happy. My steps were getting further, nature was so wonderful, I could not help to stop and admire them many times. I met a few hikers descending yet it seems that I was the only one who gone up. It was all dandies till the day catch up to my body, the trail was medium difficulty for a cub like me. My feet start to ache, and reality start to hit me square in the gut. Went without knowledge, warm up, necessary equipment and experienced travel mate, fear started creeping up to me. I sat on the high ground looking down the city, realized that I was alone in the wilderness. I have not met other hiker for quite some time. Biting my lips, I tried to calm down yet fear hug me so tight. It was not death filling up my mind, but being alone in a foreign place. So vulnerable and easy to hide the body. It was afternoon and the sun getting away from me. Added to my worry. Shivering in fear, eyes misting with unshod tears. I felt so helpless. I knew I just need to descend, yet my feet could not follow and weak. Swallowed my pride and shouted for help. Few minutes later, rustling leaves could be heard behind me. Two middle-aged man show up and asking what happened. They were local people who hunt birds to sell. As long as I was not alone, the fear shimmered in the back of my mind. I followed them descending in auto-pilot, pushing my body to run on the airplane mode. Cutting through dense forest, off the hiking trail. We emerged in the local farm. My feet followed them descending in auto-pilot, pushing my body to run on the airplane mode. I was so thankful. My mind did not want to imagine what would happen to me without their help. So much good people in this world. The next time I hiked Manglayang, I came with more experienced from other mountain, more equipment and of course travel mates. I guided a bunch of high-schooler with my friends because I have 'climbed' it, I reached the top of the mountain in 1,5 hours. They did not need to know it was also my first time there. I got so much joy, it was like beating my fear and triumph. Mountains, rivers, oceans, bring it on! One bad experience won't stop me making a better one.