6/26, day 5 backpacking in The Bob, approximately 11:30 a.m.
I find myself standing in a clearing staring out at the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen. Mountain peaks capped in snow, partly shrouded in wispy clouds stare back at me. Pine, Spruce, and Fir trees surround me and the peaks. Wildflowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes litter the rocky ground beneath my feet. As I watch the clouds thicken over the mountaintops across from me, a sense of awe and wonder I’ve never felt before washes over me. We all sit down to eat lunch here, but I want to sit here and watch forever, to watch the sun set and rise again all from this spot. No words can truly describe the feeling of peace I have in this moment. Unfortunately, we have to keep on backpacking to our destination for the day: Pretty Prairie.
6/26, approximately 3:00 p.m.
The plan was to be at Pretty Prairie by 3:00 p.m. (now), but at this point I’ll be glad to make it before dinner. The weather has been quite icky so far. It’s been raining on and off all day. My legs are starting to get tired, I have had this pack on my back for a good 6 hours at this point. The sea of deadfall trees that spans for miles in front of me seems to laugh at my tired thoughts. Apparently Pretty Prairie is only a mile and a half away. I can make it, but the charred deadfall for as far as you can see begs to differ.
6/26, approximately 4:15 p.m.
I am currently bear hugging and straddling a downed tree, and am now covered in ash. I just want to walk, no giant steps or crawling required, just a regular walk.
6/26, approximately 5:30 p.m.
I am now eating my lunch for tomorrow. We’ve ate all of my emergency supply of caffeine chews. My legs hurt, and my ankle is starting to become sore from walking on a slant all day. I am starting to worry that Pretty Prairie isn’t real, it’s some figment of our imagination. Some people are really starting to struggle. The trees don’t end and somehow we STILL have a mile to go. My watch is going to die in 4 hours, but I am assured that we will be to Pretty Prairie well before then.
6/26, approximately 5:45 p.m.
We’ve collectively decided that the delusion has set in. Sydney is embodying the persona of “Big Momma” and we are all her cubs. The “HEY BEAR’s” have become increasingly funny with each yell. I’ve heard there is a lovely couple looking to buy some land up the creek. The only caveat is they have to clear the land, but they can use ALL the timber they find for free to build their cabin. Dave, the husband, is a freelance rodent advocate who’s hoping Goat Creek is the place to be.
6/26, approximately 7:00 p.m.
My spirits: low
My body: hurt, tired, bleeding, and covered in dirt and ash
My feet: wet and starting to blister. I’ve given up on snacks entirely and have resorted to eating straight peanut butter, which is surprisingly quite rejuvenating. Overall though, I’m not doing great.
6/26, approximately 7:20 p.m.
We come across some fresh bear poop, and I mean FRESH. Our instructor, Sam, comments its 30 seconds old, we all lose it. For some reason it’s the funniest thing we’ve ever heard.“Watch out Pretty Prairie, Big Momma and her cubs are coming through!” (If there are people camped in Pretty Prairie when we get there, I’ll just sleep in a tree).
6/26, approximately 9:00 p.m.
WE SEE THE PRAIRIE!!! It’s still quite far away, and it’s really starting to get dark. I’m a bit worried, but we can do it, one final stretch.
6/26, approximately 9:55 p.m.
We made it! Everyone is scurrying about, setting up camp as quick as possible. I’m helping others with no energy left. We eat dinner in the dark (my watch is very much dead by this point). By headlamp light we clean up and crawl to our tents. I am so thankful everyone made it out safely and that we can just sleep now. As I drift off to sleep my mind wanders back to the majestic view I had the privilege of witnessing at lunch. A thought crosses my mind: “I’d do it all over again for that feeling I had while looking out at that view.”
The day of June 26th, 2026 taught me a lot. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation that sucks. You can have a bad day, week, month, or even year. But life’s about the moments where you feel fully present, in awe, at peace, or just straight up happy. While looking out at those mountains I experienced a moment of pure joy, amazement, and peace. In that moment I was so grateful for every hard decision, sacrifice, and everything else I’d done n my life to get me to that exact moment. These moments are powerful in shaping us into who we are. They have the power to push us past limits we never would have thought, but only if we have the courage to look back on them and remember the good. The truth is Goat Creek was hell, 13+ hours of hiking with a big heavy pack on my back, 8 of those hours spent climbing over or crawling under downed trees and rocks. All while we were following a non-existent trail at times. However I would gladly go through that whole day again if it meant I got to laugh with my friends and find the inner peace I experienced at lunch.