It all started on our 8th grade discovery week trip to Altai, a beautiful lush land with hills and mountains everywhere you look. So we took on a bus trip to the camp. When we got to the camp we were all excited and couldn’t wait for what was ahead. The first activity that I did was the ski lift which was very relaxing and hard to take in the view. of amazing mountain ranges and ice weather but, the higher we got  the view started to get more dim. I soon got a little bored so, I turned to one of my friends trying to find something to on the ski lift. When we reached the top we took a big group photo and we could spread out and do anything we wanted. It took a while to find something to do just walking around but, I found an idea. So, I turned to my friend Max and ask him what to do out of boredom. So we got the idea of going on a little hike. So, off we went to see if we could get a pleasant view.

We rushed off to different paths while we were very energetic. We bolted off  running out into the forest and taking countless distinctive paths. Noticing some different things on the way also noticing ant nest the size of igloos. Every now and then we stopped to admire a nice pleasant view. Keeping at a steady pace throughout the hike we kept running, approaching the peak of the mountain. As we got closer, we got more eager to get there. Leaping off of edges to edges stopping to catch our breathe. Also talking, about how awesome this will be when we finish. As we approach the top getting closer and closer, we ran faster and faster.

After a little more running, and taking a few more wrong turns, we halted at a fallen log interrupting our path. It was there and at that moment I started to worry. I thought to myself should I go on or should we stop and go back. Me starting to feel some anxiety on what decision I should make. As I take in a proper breath, tasting the fresh air on the tip of my tongue like I was  having a nice refreshing shower. I finally came to the conclusion to go on. At first feeling like I made the wrong decision but later settling with it. So we carry on with our risky hike.

As we reached the peak of the mountain, trying to catch our breath, we took our photos unfortunately Max’s phone was dead. After that we talked for a bit and were happy and felt accomplished of what we just did. So as it was getting a bit late we started to make our way back trying to remember the paths because we took so many sometimes taking the wrong ones, we passed by the log I will never forget, we finally make back to the uphill which had turned into a downhill. We both ran down with Max running up a tree like a cat after a chase with a dog. We finally made it down with some students worried and others in their own world. We went down the ski lift still trying to catch our breathe.

As we made our way down with a beautiful view and the sun resting on top of the clouds and a nice refreshing breeze. Seeing all the lush, amazing hills and mountains in the background we make our way down with humongous smiles on our faces. We finally got back on the ground looking back at the mountains that we conquered. Looking back on what we just did thinking “I will never forget this mountain”, we were finally satisfied.

As we make our way onto the bus, with a big smiles on our faces, we knew that this was the best thing we would do on this trip. As the bus leaves, I look back at the mountain and, as it starts to rain, we leave the hills and head home to our cabins, and I would never leave Altai the same.