On Top of the World

by Tyler Braun

^{“Good Day Hikers!}

^{Thank you for joining the Island LegendZ Experience!}

^{Blue Mountain Peak Hike}

^{Date: Sat June 22}

^{Meeting Point: Papine gas station}

^{Time: 7pm}

^{Departure: 7:30pm}

^{Return: Sunday June 23}

^{Time: 4pm}

^Essentials:

^Flashlight

^{Spare batteries}

^Water

^Snacks

^{Warm clothes for peak}

^{Blanket/sheet to rest with}

^{Good sneakers}

^{Please hydrate as much as possible and prepare mentally for the challenge.}

^{Let us conquer the mountain!”}

Lately, it has been ever so slightly humdrum at the office, which recently had only served to make me more excited for my hike last weekend. The hike to Blue Mountain peak had been delayed a week, but the trek was finally here! I’d read all of the reviews and blogs online, and I’d had every opportunity to exercise to prepare for the climb.

Selfie from the trip back down the mountain

I probably should have taken a few of those opportunities, because this hike was absolutely brutal, but man was the scenery gorgeous! I’m hesitant to say that the hike up the mountain was fun, but I would definitely say that conquering the mountain was worth it.

Our group of mostly fledgling hikers started our hike just before 9:00 o’clock Saturday night. Most people who climb the mountain do so overnight so that they can be to the peak for sunrise. After one river crossing, a few slips and falls, and quite a few quick rest breaks, the crew made it to our cabin at just after 2:45 in the morning. I decided that a few extra hours of sleep was a bigger priority for me than seeing the sunrise, so I stayed in my bunk until 8:00, then hiked the last few hours to the peak.

The view from Blue Mountain peak

After resting my legs for a bit and picking a few handfuls of blueberries, I hiked back down the trail. Thankfully, gravity helps out on the way down and we made it back to our cabin on less than half the time. Our cook made us lunch while we packed up our bags, then it was time to head home.

Cabin for hikers at Portland Gap

On our way down, I finally had a chance to chat with some of the other hikers (We’d all been far too winded on the way up) and found out that two of them worked at the U.S. Embassy, which is directly across the road from my house! Our guide picked a few peaches for us from a grove beside the trail and stopped us a few times so he could take pictures to use promoting his hikes.

Eating a peach on the way down the mountain

Poor Aaron was excited when I got home and asked if I wanted to play, but I had to decline. I think after that he noticed that I was limping and covered in dirt and sweat from head to toe. Instead, I bought myself a gigantic dinner, and followed it up with plenty of rest and ibuprofen.

Monday it was back to work. This week we finally got the University of the West Indies signed on to the project as a partner! Between that, a few meetings with other NGOs, and putting the finishing touches on questionnaires for government agencies, I feel like the Winrock office had a pretty productive week!