The wind blows on my face on the cool autumn day as I watch the beautiful leaves fall off the trees and make their way down, down, down, onto the grass. It’s a calming and relaxing environment, an escape from reality, a way to stay in the present moment. I’ve had many experiences like this one out in nature as well as some different experiences. One of these experiences was the Blue Ridge Experience, which I participated in before my freshman year at UNC Asheville.
I developed a love for nature at a young age. That is why I choose to move to the mountains for college on a campus full of greenery that is, UNC Asheville. Before classes started I decided to sign up for a Pre Orientation event taking place called the Blue Ridge Experience. I love nature but I typically don’t enjoy the camping aspects of it. Bugs tend to get on my nerves and I like to be able to do my whole skincare and shower routines. During this experience I wasn’t able to do that. Our showers didn’t work well, our door didn’t shut at night which allowed bugs to fly in, and we could only bring the necessities. However, this was still one of the best experiences of my life. I was able to gain new experiences and step outside of my comfort zone.
Nature allows us to push ourselves to do things that we’ve never imagined ourselves doing, allowing us to have life changing experiences. One of these things was rock wall climbing. Forget the rock climbing, the hike up to it was brutal. We hiked up a steep hill to get to the rock climbing destination. As we started to get closer I remember our guide telling us to put helmets on. He said that this area was the place where rocks may start to fall and he didn’t want anyone getting hit in the head. Coincidentally, right after putting my helmet on I hit my head on a tree branch. Then we got to the rock wall… finally. I looked up at it, an eighty foot wall that was extremely steep with almost no places to hold onto. I wondered how anyone could possibly be able to climb a wall that didn’t have anything to hold onto, it made no sense. I then saw one of my friends go up the wall. She did it so fast and easily she made it seem as if it was nothing. The rest of us stood in awe looking at her. Then another person made it to the top right after she did. They told us the view was amazing and I knew I had to do it. After all, I didn't hike up that mountain to not rock climb. When I started climbing it was difficult, I had no idea where to put my hands or feet. I’ve done rock wall climbing before, but that was always inside. I’d never climbed a natural rock outside before. I had climbed many trees when I was younger and always thought of myself as a good climber; this was tested when I went on that eighty foot wall. I knew I just had to go. My friend who has previously made it to the top said “it’s easier if you don’t stop and you just keep going.” I kept this in mind as I went up the wall, telling myself to keep moving even if I had no idea where to put my hands and feet. The sun shone down on the wall making it incredibly hot. I felt the burning sensation in my hands as I worked my way up. There were moments when climbing that I wanted to give up and go back down. I thought it might be easier if I just quit. I told myself that this wasn’t an option, if someone else could do it so could I; Finally, I made it to the top. I looked around to see a breathtaking view of the mountains, trees, farm lands, and fields around me. When I was on my way back down I realized that the view was what motivated me but ultimately it wasn’t my favorite part. My favorite part was the experience of rock wall climbing despite it being difficult at times. It was the end goal that motivated me but it was the journey I loved.
On this Pre Orientation trip I also discovered a new water activity that I now love. I’ve done a few water activities before, including kayaking and white water rafting but I had never gone paddleboarding. I’ve had paddle boarding on my bucket list for a while now and was really looking forward to it. We went out to Lake James and paddle boarded together. Some people could go with another person and some people went on their own. I chose to go on my own because it was an experience I really wanted to have for myself. I wanted to learn how to guide a paddle and balance on it as well. When I first got on I thought there was no way I was going to be able to balance on the board. I started out just on my knees and then I decided to try and stand. It was a little wobbly at first but then I got the hang of it. I started to use my paddle to steer myself as well. It was a little bit different than kayaking but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I learned that I really enjoy this activity due to this experience nature has given me. One of my friends from this trip really enjoyed it as well and we are planning to go paddle boarding again sometime.
I felt incredibly aligned with nature and the world around me on the hikes we took. I noticed the small things nature has to offer us such as the moss on trees, mushrooms, and many different types of plants. I remember at one point we went on a solo walk. During this walk we didn’t talk to each other and just practiced staying in the present moment in nature. Before when hiking I would notice things but not to the same extent I did on my solo walk. I noticed all the leaves, moss growing on the tree's roots, the branches blocking my pathway, and more. I was able to take in every detail of the world around us.
Throughout my life I’ve had many experiences in nature and there are many more to come. Nature can teach us many things about ourselves and the world around us. We live on Earth so why not try to connect with it? Through pushing yourself out of your comfort zone you may learn about new hobbies or activities that you end up loving, just like I did with rock climbing and paddle boarding.