Writing a Novel and Hiking a Mountain Are Pretty Similar, Actually
In July 2020 my twin sister Madelynn and I had decided we were tired of being apart, of quarantining alone in our homes—mine in Syracuse, NY, where I was an MFA student drafting my first “novel” and hers in East
In the summer of 2020, my twin sister Madelynn and I found ourselves eager to escape the isolation of our respective homes due to the ongoing pandemic. We decided to embark on a hiking adventure to overcome our confinement. Despite having never summiting anything more than a small hill, we confidently believed that tackling Big Slide Mountain would be a breeze. This mountain, part of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks, boasted an elevation of 4,420 feet and a 9.4-mile roundtrip hike lasting approximately eight hours.
We arrived at the trailhead in Lake Placid, NY, armed with hiking boots and a sense of determination. As we set off, we were greeted by the warm July sun and the humid, mosquito-filled air. Madelynn took pictures of me beside a sign that read, "TRAIL TO BIG SLIDE MT. 3.9 miles (Total ascent 2,800 ft.)." The sun cast an orange glow on the canopy of trees, and we soon realized that the hike was not as easy as we had anticipated.
After twenty minutes of ascending the woodchipped path, we encountered hikers returning from their trek, their faces marked with sweat and dirt. They encouraged us, reinforcing our belief that the view from the top would be worth the effort.
As we continued our ascent, we found ourselves growing more winded, but the experience was still enjoyable. The whispering leaves and the crunch of foliage beneath our boots provided a sense of peace that had been absent for months. Writing a novel had become a source of solace during this time, as it allowed me to navigate the uncertain terrain of creative expression.
Much like hiking, the process of writing a novel was unpredictable, filled with leaps of faith and the occasional stumble. However, the satisfaction of reaching the summit was a feeling that could not be replicated. As we reached the flat rock and surveyed the landscape, I realized that both hiking and writing were forms of exploration that allowed us to confront our fears and find meaning in the face of uncertainty.
Written by urgent.news from Literary Hub's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
