This was a long day. It involved the most rigorous climbing but some of the best memories, and we had the promise of a layover the next day so life isn't too bad :)
It was a quick pack-up in the morning. We all knew that today was the 9 mile day, and we had to set up camp before nightfall. We had a strong start, passing beautiful, clear waterfalls, and a big, wandering black bear a little ways off the trail. Then we got lost. We trudged through a ravine for only a little while before realizing that we had strayed from the path, and those who were unfamiliar with it made the discovery of stinging nettle as we made our way back onto the correct trail. Then the hike really began, and as the pace picked up we played Hogwild to keep our spirits high. We told each other about the drama from our schools and about our friends and families back home. We discussed the religions and holidays in all of the different countries represented (Támas gave me quick summary of Hungary's entire history). Inés patiently listened to me recite the entire plot of Wicked during a particularly extensive uphill. We continued our Spanish and Hungarian lessons, and we sang a lot. "Wonderwall" was a favorite, as well as "Oh, Child of Mine." I still can't believe how well a catchy song is able to cross language and cultural boundaries.
One of my most distinct memories from this day is suddenly and without warning breaking free from the trees and entering a meadow. But the air was heavy with moisture and it had been drizzling earlier that day, so the meadow was draped in mist. It was eery and beautiful all at once, and while the mist hid the view of the flowers far away, it added to the dramatic view of the flowers that were closer to us. At one point we also found ourselves in the midst of a stinging nettle forest. On either side of the trail, for as far as we could see, was a sea of stinging nettle. It would have been a lot more pleasant if I didn't really have to pee for the entire walk through that section.
Then came the steep, never-ending down hill, and the whole time we knew it was an out-and-back, so this uphill would soon be our uphill. It was a long, leg-numbing descent. It was our longest day, so we had to stop mid-trail to refill water. I discovered that bleach water (add three drops and let it dissipate for 30 minutes) tastes like chlorinated pool water, and while not all of us appreciated the flavored fruit punch powder offered, I loved the sugar. I also remember the pool we stopped at extremely well, because it was beautiful. The water was perfectly clear and some sections of the waterfall were draped with a flowered vine.
Our campsite that night was well-established, and only a short walk from a beautiful creek. We met some NatureBridge staff members who had hiked out to the site with a resupply of food. We refilled the bear cans, got the water, made tents, and established a gear-age like usual. And once camp was made, Christina surprised us with Reeses peanut butter cups :)
While dinner was being made, Lára drew her schwatz (her farmland) and helped me understand how beautiful it is. And we danced to BTS and I distinctly remember trying and failing to floss as fast as Nico can floss. Getting to eat grapes before dinner was also a special treat, and I had never before noticed how much I love grapes. We ate dinner together, and Christina and Dani went over how this campsite would be our home for two nights. Tomorrow was a layover, a break from hiking, and would be largely dedicated to our science projects. I was excited because after feeling disgusting from the long day of hiking, the layover day promised an opportunity to wade and rinse in the creek - the closest thing to a shower that we were going to get.
Dinner was also special because we learned everyone's last names, and as weird as it seems, we really only knew each other's first names at that point. Everyone shared their last names and the meaning behind it. I think in a purely American setting, the activity would have gotten boring real quick, but because many of the people in our group were from other countries each person's last name had a unique familial and/or cultural significance.
I also learned a lot about the Leave No Trace methods that night, because Ryleigh and I were on dishes duty. It had become standard practice for everyone to lick their own bowls clean (no food waste!), and the food from the communal dishes had to be eaten as much as possible, and then after rinsing the dishes the water had to be dispersed in the nearby wooded area, never simply dumped. Using LNT protocol, dishes are an extensive process in the woods.
Finally, we had our usual evening GRANITE meeting with beads. Everyone began waterproofing everything because, unfortunately, the food resupply had also come with an unfortunate weather update. Then - out of nowhere - a massive, heavy tree branch crashed down directly on the log that we had all been sitting on for the the meeting ten minutes ago. The base of the branch landed over the entrance of one of the boys' tents (where they were currently sitting), and the splinters of Ryleigh's bowl, which the branch had landed directly on, flew across the campsite to the entrance of our tent. We were all stunned at first, then our escape from death became hilarious, but my lasting impression was how important it is to check each campsite for dead branches and any other potential danger.
We finished waterproofing, laughed some more about the branch now sitting in the middle of the campsite, then went to bed. Dani and Christina were speaking in hushed tones about the branch and the safety of our current campsite, and I remember being extremely aware of how windy it was that night and of how creaky the branches were. But I dreamt that night not of another branch falling, but of Dani and Christina deciding to move campsites the next day, so I slept dreading the possibility of having to pack up and of losing our layover rest day.