Over The Mountain

Story and Photos By Hannah Lester

Itook my first backpacking trip at Mt. Cheaha.

Cheaha boasts Alabama’s highest peak and stunning views.

We spent a little over 24 hours on the mountain, which is a good amount of time for someone who’s never been backpacking before.

The funny thing about backpacking is that while trudging over a mountain, back hurting, hungry and tired, one of my best friends (her name also Hannah) and I, will be debating why we agreed to this in the first place. But as soon as we’ve strung up our ENOs and taken in a breathtaking view, we remember why we enjoy it.

We’ve taken other trips — one to Cumberland Island (an island with wild horses off Georgia) that included a long hike to our campsite each day from the main portion of the island.

This trip didn’t have bikes to rent or horses to see. It was just us and the mountain.

We gathered our stuff — me, Hannah and her dad Tim — and headed up our trail. We decided to take a “before” photo so that we could also take an “after.” Especially since it was my first trip.

We hiked about 6 miles (I know, beginner stuff.). My back ached. I was using an old military pack my dad had had in the basement. It held all my stuff but was a little low on padding, bells and whistles.

After a while, and somewhat near the end of our hike, we

decided to stop for a break. There was an outcrop of rocks that we could climb upon to sit and we ate beef jerky sticks, cheese and some candy up there. You always have to take candy with you on a backpacking trip. Tim keeps candy in the zippered pocket right at his waist so it’s easily accessible.

While up there, I earned my trail name. I won’t mention it here because I’m not a big fan of my trail name. I’m hoping to earn another on a future trip and switch out the unfavorable one for one I wouldn’t mind writing about. Oh well, it certainly gives my boyfriend something to tease me about.

A group of Boy Scouts were at the top of the trail with us. Unfortunately, this cut into the “serenity” of our view a little. Middle school boys fighting with sticks and screaming certainly diminishes nature a little bit. But they had fun, and we were planning to move on soon.

Our view at Cheaha was worth the struggling. The green trees rolled over the tops of the mountains. I don’t like to hike nearly as much unless I know there’s a good view, or something to see, waiting on me. It’s motivation to push through the tougher challenges of a hike.

When we found our spot for the night, we strung up our ENOs, our rain guards and made some mac’ and cheese.

It rained that night, but honestly unless it’s a full gale, a little rain when you’re in an ENO under a rain guard is nice. I felt pleased with our progress for the day, warm and comfortable.

I lay there thinking how I was excited for our next backpacking trip, even if the first wasn’t over yet. Cheaha is not a far drive for a local Auburn resident; it’s located in Delta, Alabama, and more information can be found on its site, www. alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park.