Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
The Chinese name of the mountain translates into 'God's peak'. As the coach drove slowly towards our destination, all we could see was the mountain and its surrounding peaks which stretched out like a gigantic wall before us. A structure of this magnitude was something I had never seen before. Sure, I have seen movies which have depicted mountains (Touching the Void and Vertical Limit comes to mind) but nothing prepared me for this spectacular view. Imagine a mass of rock, grey and harsh, covered, absolutely covered on the bottom half with jungles of the purest green. Near the top, one could just make out the faintest hint of white, which suggested that the height of the mountain was so great that the temperature near the top was cold enough for snow, despite the tropical climate. Then imagine a backdrop of sky so blue unobstructed by modern sky scrapers and untainted by factory fumes that a young man living in a modern metropolis is so accustomed to. It was a remarkable contrast of colours and textures, a vibrant display of nature at its best.
To be honest the trek did not start off too well for me. In fact, I and my two roommates missed breakfast as we had foolishly decided not to set the alarm. This meant we did not have a proper meal before the hike, thus we had to start the hike off on an empty stomach. To further compound my problems, my water bottle was leaking and I ran out of water about half the way to the top. As I trudged on the dirt path, my mind was racing. It had only been half an hour but it had felt like an eternity.
The jungle passed us by. Another 50 minutes of hiking, and we reached what I personally termed the part of the mountain which was drier and less humid then before. The vegetation which had been so prevalent lower down had disappeared. The view was as magnificent as ever; as we were now higher up, we could see further down and there was no vegetation blocking the way. However, I was too preoccupied with the hiking to notice the view. I was dying of thirst literally but my pride stopped me from asking my friends for their water.
My friends would graciously wait for me at intervals, running ahead then staying back so I would not be alone. I realized they must have felt difficulty too, but this did not occur to me at the time. I dragged my body up, up, up. 'One step at a time', I thought to myself. I could do this. Finally, they offered me their water to drink. Despite having very little left and looking just as exhausted as I did, they were willing to offer some. In times of crisis, it is said that people bond together far closer then they would normally do. Without my friends, I don't believe I would even have made it to the base camp.
We finally reached the base camp. We thought it would a place where we could have rested comfortably. We were thoroughly exhausted, even the ones who had made it here quickly and without any complaints. This turned out to be just wishful thinking.
In fact, the base camp was designed to make the occupants as uncomfortable as possible. For a start, the taps didn't work nor did the flushing in the toilets so there was no way for us to wash our hands after a full day of hiking. Secondly, there was a rat the size of a small dog living in the kitchen. I was fine with that, but some of the girls were too shocked to even come out of their rooms (which was probably a good thing in retrospect; they were able to get some sleep). Lastly, there was no heating at all. I had lived in Hong Kong my entire life, and had become accustomed to its warm weather. We had to warm ourselves by putting our hands over the stove (the fire didn't light at all; unfortunately there was only gas) and sleep in the freezing cold. However, the mood at the camp was jovial; we had beaten whatever obstacles the mountain had hurled at us without too much difficulty. It was something to be proud of, especially for a first time hiker.
The next stop was the summit. The plan was to wake up at 3 in the morning and walk up and watch the sun rise from the top. I was hesitant to go however. I had become a coward after the ordeal of climbing up the first two thirds of the mountain. The fact that I had been the third last to arrive at the base camp despite being one of the older students caused me to doubt my own abilities. A seed of fear had been planted in me and it was hard to banish once it had set in. I was now afraid of this mountain. As a young boy I was always afraid of heights and this had only increased with age. Furthermore, I did not fancy the idea of climbing up the most dangerous part of the mountain at night without any light to guide you at all. One slip would be fatal. I could see the top from where I was; from what I could see, it was sheer rock covered in snow...there did not seem to be a path at all.
There are a few times in life when a crossroad appears before you. You can either summon your courage and walk down that path, or stay and continue as you were before. Decisions like this are life altering events. I believe that these opportunities occur to everyone; people become great by taking a chance. With determination and courage, there is no reason why anyone can not reach the top. Carpe diem - Seize the Day. I now knew what it meant.
I did not climb to the top that day. But I was told that the view from the top sure was beautiful.
What is the name of the mountain? Put it at the beginning, and THEN translate it.
The Chinese name of the mountain translates into 'God's peak'...
Honestly, the trek did not start off too well for me. In fact, my two roommates and Iand my two roommates missed breakfast as we had foolishly forgotten to set the alarm.
For a start, the taps didn't work, nor did the flushing in the toilets, so there was no way for us to wash our hands after a full day of hiking.
Hahahahh!! Great!!!----> Secondly, there was a rat the size of a small dog living in the kitchen.
YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!! I love the ending. Total honesty, modesty, humor... they will love this...
I did not climb to the top that day. But I was told that the view from the top sure was beautiful.
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