Rattlesnake Ledge
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Do one thing everyday that scares you." Today, I ventured off on my first hike alone. Now some people would have an entire debate against this, but I've known a lot of hiker girls that have done it (within reason), and have said it can be quite mind clearing, refreshing, and empowering. For me, I've always felt held back by my fear to do things alone, so with great weather in forecast, I chose Rattlesnake Ledge, a fairly busy, but short hike. (4 miles roundtrip. 1160ft. total elevation gain).
I started my hike at 6:50am, 21 minutes before sunrise. As I hit the one mile mark, the sun was up high enough to peak through the trees. Surprisingly, on my way up, I passed 6 groups of people on their way way down. I can't even fathom how early they started their hikes. By 7:41am, I had reached at the top of Rattlesnake Ledge, and it felt amazing! The view was perfection!
I was just a bit scared on my hike up, but as I saw more people, my fear just went away and it was just about getting a good pace going. I stayed up top about an hour, taking pictures and enjoying a Chocolate Brownie Cliff bar. It started to get really windy & cold, so I headed down. Overall I'm just really glad I went out and did this. I couldn't ask for a better Monday: blue skies & a view.
I hope you guys go out an try at least one thing this week that scares you. What's life, without growth? - JEN
βI think you really should make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future."
- Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild
