Are you up for the challenge? Well I thought I was but I guess I didn’t really know what the challenge was. Does that sound familiar? How many times have you gotten caught thinking something was a piece of cake (cheesecake that is) only to discover, much too late that you were so very wrong.
Admitting that I’m wrong isn’t one of my strong suits. To be totally honest I find it darn right difficult so when I agreed to hike the Long Range Mountains with a really good friend and outdoor enthusiast from Ontario I had no idea what I was agreeing to and seemingly no interest in knowing the difference. It just sounded like fun and that was all the mattered to me – least for that moment.
I was told to prepare. Prepare for what I thought. Sure, I’ve hiked many times in my life and wasn’t this my neck of the woods plus it was months before the trek and plenty of time to pull it together. Week after week my friend would call to remind me that I needed to take practice hikes with a backpack that that we would need certain supplies.
I dragged the backpack out of storage borrowed supplies from friends and each time I explained that I was going to hike the Long Range Mountains I would received that same response “Really?”. “Yes” I would reply confidently and head home to my ever growing stockpile of camping goodies. As it got closer to the time for my friend to arrive I was feeling more and more excited. So excited in fact I never noticed the tentative way in which person after person would respond to my news of hiking the Long Range Mountains.
The drive across the island was picture perfect. As we got closer to Gros Morne National Park my friend explains that before we hike we have to check in with the Park Warden. You have got to be kidding, whatever for? Was I in for a surprise!
We waited patiently for the Warden who was a quiet pleasant man that seemed overly intrigued with us and our quest. He pulled out a large map that reminded me of something straight out of my grade nine geography book. “Can you read a topo map?” My friend replied a quick yes and I figured now was not a good time to say anything.
The Warden began to explain that the boat on Western Brook Pond would drop us at the dock at the base of a small water falls. That didn’t seem too bad…a boat…and dock and a small water falls. What came next wasn’t as comforting. He suggested that we hike up the left of the falls because there was a moose carcass on the right side and the bears had been feeding off it. Now he really had my attention but before I could say anything he pointed on the map where the first campsite was located.
Much better - a campsite! I listened as he explained the locations of several other campsites along the way and slowly started to relax again but not for long. We required permits and the hike would probably take 3 – 4 days – piece of cake I thought. But he continued; if your permits are not deposited in the box at the end of the trail by day 7 they would dispatch a search and rescue team. It took a couple of moments for that to sink in but suddenly a little voice inside whispered “You better start talking now because I think you may just be in over your head.”
Taking my time so not to appear alarmed or daft I asked a simple question; “how many people will we meet at the first campsite?” His reply still rings in my ears. “None. IF you complete the hike you will be the first to do so this year.” To which I replied “Really?”
I was speechless for one of the few times in my life and we were issued our permits and sent on our way. The only thing running through my head was “pride goes before a fall” or being eaten by a bear. Still it was the next morning before I backed down from the Long Range Mountain challenge although the boat ride was pleasant. I think I might be ready for that hike now, any takers?
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