Royal National Park Hike

On Saturday, August 18^th I partook in a full day, intermediate level hike at the Royal National Park.  This six-hour hike, while simple, positively impacted my confidence and enhanced my relation to the outdoors.  During my time at the Royal National Park I connected with the environment, tested some of my basic courage issue and debunked a few of my own uneducated thoughts in relation our environment.

In the weeks leading up to the hike, I was not overly excited about the journey. The long bus ride and early wake up time, acted as excuses for my apprehensive self to cling to. I focused only on what I perceived as the negative aspects of the adventure, rather than embracing the positives. This attitude changed during the lecture that took place before the hike.  The talk about “Checking Your Mindset” and thinking about the hike as an opportunity to grow really made me reflect on how destructive my negative thoughts were not only or myself, but for those around me. Looking back, I wish I had a positive mindset from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed the hike, and I probably would have had an even better time if those lingering negative thoughts were completely vanished.

One extremely impactful moment of the hike was during our mediation session, although it had nothing to do with the act of mediating. It is hard for me to sit silent and unmoved, and this did not change during the mediation. Instead of sitting uncomfortably, I explored the surrounding rocks in the area that we were sitting on. I did not disturb any of my fellow hikers and I felt that so powerful in that moment. Even though I took little risk and remained close by, there was something intimately freeing about the experience. I jumped from rock to rock and truly breathed in the outside and loved everything it had to offer. This is experiential learning at its best. Jumping from those rocks, although they were small, safe gaps that any slightly experienced hiker could handle with ease, tested my little courage and allowed growth that I simply wasn’t expecting. To me, learning through the unexpected is a huge part of experiential learning, and this moment that was supposed to be dedicated to mediating gave me a completely different, yet totally acceptable and empowering experience.

 

Undoubtedly the overall most impactful part of the hike was the relationships I started to build with classmates. I made a great connection with a German exchange student, Louisa. Learning about her life story, was incredible. This could not have been possible without the outdoors acting as a powerful agent.  Being outside crumbled the walls and guards that I normally have and allowed for open communication; almost as open as the environment we were in. On the impending Blue Mountains adventure I challenge myself to meet even more people and forgo the safety blanket that was my two close friends with whom were both in my group. While having them there was fun, it did slightly hinder my ability to connect with other people.

The Royal National Park hike was an awesome experience. I hope to apply the personal growth that happened during the hike to my preparation and participation in the upcoming Blue Mountains three-day trip.

Time to begin the adventure!

I am the first to admit that I am not adventurous. I don't fully understand the thrill of taking risks and I sometimes shudder at the thought of going outside of my comfort zone. I am though extremely envious of those who embrace adventure and the exhilaration it can afford. I’ve always viewed those who take risks as having much more rich and fulfilling lives. At the end of the day all we have is our memories, and I want my memories to be exciting. With that viewpoint in mind I began the biggest adventure of my life; getting on a 22 hour flight from New Jersey, USA to Sydney, Australia. I did this because I craved change, a chance to try a new life. When selecting my courses, Outdoor Education initially stood out to me as a course I would never want to participate in. I knew it would require dangers and opportunities that I typically wouldn’t be interested in. Upon further thought though, I knew that my apprehension was exactly why I should take the course. It represented the reasons why I wanted to be in Australia to being with, to have fun and explore a new life. I desperately want to not only take risks in my life, but to so in an educated way. This then seemed like a perfect fit.

I think I will add a sense of humor to the overall group. While I do like taking charge, I do not think I will be a natural leader in this uncomfortable environment. I believe that my role instead will be one of comic relief, which often adds to group unity. While I would like to push my boundaries through the progression of this class and the experiences provided with it, I picture myself sticking to the pack of the pack. Although perhaps with more confidence in my ability to take successful risks, I can make my way to the front. It would prove incredible to not only be successfully adventurous, but also have fun in the process.