New Conway: A Short Story

Holly: Peak what was going through your head when your dad first told you were going to climb Mt.Everest?

As I heard my alarm clock go off at two in the morning, feeling prepared mentally but not physically. My mind,at that point in time raced with thoughts and expectations, although my body felt like it wanted to die. Finally dragging myself out from under the soft covers, I pulled my gear to the bed of the truck and threw my bag up over the side of the truck's bed,-- hearing a giant thud from the heftiness of my pack. I felt mixed emotions coming from my body, my mind ready and my body said: “go back to bed hate you, I hate you, I hate you”. As soon as I plopped myself into the truck squished with three people in the back seat, after about five minutes of driving all three of us passed out fast asleep. The moment I woke, pulling into the parking lot of Mount Washington, New Hampshire I felt ready. When I stepped out of the car, I threw my hands in the air, the best feeling of stretching after a car ride. I look up to see this mountain completely covered with snow and only one round part completely treeless; that's where we hiked too. Strapping my fifty-pound pack on my back containing ski boots, skis, poles, winter gear, and food felt more tiring than it should have.

Sand. Anyone who’s ever been to the beach knows how tough it is to walk in sandy slopes, but a solid mile of 45 degrees or higher of it, near impossible. It was clear that none of us really wanted to continue, but we all knew how far we came. 4 miles through rocks larger than cars, scrambling over and around this fine mountains ridges and valleys, and literal straight up climbs. No matter how much we wanted to, we couldn’t turn back now. After our short thought mental debates we each got up and made our first steps into the grueling process to reach the peak above. Trudging, lumbering and dragging ourselves, along with each other on occasion, we finally witnessed the beauty of the landscape that surrounded us. To the North we could see Mt. Rainier in the distance along with Spirit Lake near the base of Mt. St. Helens sprawling outward with trees nipping at its shores. To the East we saw Mt. Adams and its snow covered summit along with brief bits of Eastern Washington and Oregon desert. And finally to the South we saw our very own Mt. Hood and the valley that lay beyond. It looked so much different from the height we were at. So much green and luscious environment living off of the Willamette and McKenzie

Slipping and sliding, huffing and puffing, we pulled ourselves along with the marginal help of the surprisingly slippery cable as the loose equipment around our necks swung left and right, chafing us and feeling heavier by the minute. We fell down at the top, exhausted from the ordeal but victorious. We got there with everything we had started with and had avoided the longer, though easier, roundabout route. Success, of a sort; 'It's all downhill from here,' was a figure of speech. Actually, it was another thousand feet of elevation change in a little over half a mile on a trail that hardly deserved the

. Slowing down I looked up to the top, which seemed to grow further away from me banishing into the sky. Emily, who was beside me, had the same wrinkle in her forehead. “The only way is up” she sighed. We continued our hike exchanging dreadful looks, while facing the intricate obstacles of massive rocks along the face of the mountain. I’ve climbed mountains before in my lifetime but nothing like this monster. Not only did this mountain bring upon me persistence and strength I didn’t know I had before but it also introduced a new feeling of gratification and nobility that put a smile on my face. Beside me Emily pushed me along mentally and physically being the voice of reason to continue to progress just like she always has.

Lauren scrambled forward, but her choppy steps were no match for the deep drifts. Icy snow fell over the top piping on her boots and packed around her socks. Although her leg muscles bulked at the cold and extra weight, she forged onward, her breath hacking against the wind.

When you begin your voyage up the mountain you become instantly entranced with its beauty. Trees as tall as skyscrapers drape the mountain like a blanket and if you open your car windows you can hear the streams and the birds chirping. As you near the cabin, the roads change to dirt, ensuring you to slow down so nothing in the vehicle gets too shaken from the unpaved roads. Centered between tall trees is my dad’s cabin that he constructed with his own two

snowing.” I jumped out of my bed and put on my snow gear. I was so excited that I ran faster

As I slowly climb my way to the top of the hill, I look to my side and see the ground below me getting farther away as I make my way up. As I reach the top, thoughts in my head are mixed together; fear, excitement, nervousness. As the car comes to a stop, my heart is in my throat. I look to the front to see that I have reached the peak of the first hill. There was a sudden silence in the cars as everyone gets ready for the adrenaline rush. My stomach turning as I watch the hands of the other riders sway in the air. Then we drop. I felt like I was going to row up. I had never been on something so fast. The car gets faster by the second, the wind blowing through my hair as I go up and down the small

The wind stung my face as I waited to let the dogs go. They were all screaming and yelling, jumping at the line, ready to take off. The sound split my ears as the sled was being jerked forward and scratched against the snow. I was tied to a truck so my dogs couldn't get away.

Not used to uneven terrain, I wore myself out relatively early compared to my partners, who were generally in much better shape than me. I grew more and more frustrated and joked less and less during the climb. The ascent to the first peak seemed never-ending; the peak was forever out of reach and there was always more mountain to climb after each ledge overcome. I increased my pace as the trees gave way to stunted trees, which gave way to shrubs. I was near the peak, and it was about time. The wind gradually made itself known after we passed the trees obstructing it. The humid mountain breeze caressed my sweaty face and exhilarated me. One more rope climb and we arrived at the top of the first

“OMG are there yet…? It seems like we have been driving for years!” When the car started to slow down, and I heard the rumbling of my parents talking, I popped up to look out the window to see if it was officially the start of my annual New Hampshire ski trip. The adrenaline traveled throughout my body when we drove by the perfect snow covered mountains. I was eager to get upon them and ski down the light powdery sand like snow. I sprung out of the car at the sight of my vast, log house. My condo is right at the base of the mountain so when looking out you can see everything that's going on. The roof was covered in lush soft snow with beautiful, unique icicles dangling from every possible platform. When going out to the back deck, there was a clear view of every ski trail, and at night you could look out and see the snow cats grooming the

I speed down, waving to my sister as I pass her. I am flying down that mountain. It feels as if there are jet packs on my skis. I cannot believe that I was that nervous to ski. I am almost at those metal poles covered with orange fish net. I am so excited and woosh, I was at the end.

It had taken almost an hour to reach the halfway point, and I was out of breath. We all decided to take a break to drink some water, but the water couldn’t quench my thirst. My lungs were filled with the dust that covered South Mountain like a soft blanket of fresh snow. My heaving didn’t relieve the pain that I felt. My aunt who obviously sensed my discomfort, asked if I wanted to continue on.

The path leading up the mountain looked like a never ending hallway. With our hiking shoes and backpacks, we looked like explorers ready to face our