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I love to hike. Apart from dancing tango, hiking is my biggest passion. I live in Barcelona and Catalonia is a dream destination for hikers in Southern Europe. Almost every weekend I do a hike with friends either by coast or in the mountains. That weekend in March I went with two of my friends to Vall de Nuria. It is a charming valley coming down from the crest of the Pyrenees. We wanted to hike for about 25km to the top and go back. Around 4pm my friends said they are going back to the Hostel as they are quite tired. I decided to continue myself, as I still wanted to reach the peak. What a bad decision it was I realized couple hours later. The weather changed from sunny and clear heaven to rain and fog. I lost my way I didn’t know where I was. My phone died and I had no GPS. The rain converted in hail and all my clothes were completely wet. I was so cold and I really thought this was it. I will never see my friends and my family again. I started to pray. I promised God that If I survive I will make something good with my life. Suddenly when walking down I saw a tent. There were two French tourists inside. They asked “ What the hell are you doing here all by yourself”? I am lost and I don’t know where to go” I answered shaking and shivering. They gave me some dry clothes some chocolate and let me stay with them in the tent. From their phone I managed to call one friend that I remember the number by hard so she could inform my two other friends I am safe as I was sure they were dead worried. In the morning the guys showed me the way to the hostel. It was sunny and dry so It was much easier to find the way. When I arrived to the hostel my friends were happy but furious at the same time that I was so stubborn to continue the walk by myself. From this moment I do not separate anymore in the mountains. I don’t have to proof to myself that I need to reach the top. This all could have ended really badly. I was so lucky to bump into the French guys with the tent that actually saved my life. You would think I got traumatized and I don’t go to the mountains anymore but it’s actually the opposite. I just cane back from a trip to Patagonia in Chile and Argentina and it was amazing. But this time I was always walking with someone and never separated. I also became more patient person and started to volunteer. What does not kill you only makes you stronger and it is so true. Ewelina Kawczynska