I joined the Columbia Hiking Club in an effort to meet new people and get a change of scenery. I love New York City, but nothing beats the occasional escape into nature (just wait until I start talking about a place lovingly called "Upstate"). I signed up for this hike a couple of weeks ago and eagerly awaited for the day to finally come. On Friday, the destination was posted... The Delaware Water Gap. I was even more excited than before. I had driven through the Water Gap many times on my way to destinations further west, yet never explored the area.
6:00am on a Saturday arrived rather early and my alarm went off reminding me of the adventure that awaited me. I had no idea what to expect from the day ahead. Usually, I hate that. I am someone that likes a plan, not necessarily a broken down itinerary, but at least a vague idea of what the day will bring. This time, nothing. I didn't know the people and I didn't know anything about the destination. No expectations. By 8:00am, campus was just coming to life. Sports teams were boarding buses, students were looking for breakfast and lounging out by the steps to Low Library, and I was standing quietly at the 116 st. and Amsterdam gate. Slowly, a small group of people with backpacks and hiking boots began to gather. Some quick introductions were made as we boarded the rental van. A van is pretty close quarters for 12 people, especially for an hour and a half drive. Initially, the van was silent. Gradually, some more introductions were made. The guy sitting next to me introduced himself as Josh. Eventually, the van was buzzing with the conversation of students meeting students. "Which school are you in?" "What degree program are you in?" "How long were you in Butler (library) last night?" Everyone seemed nice and friendly. Josh even made the point: it takes a certain type of person to get up early on saturday and go hiking with people you've never met before, you're not going to get a bunch of jerks. Hmm, good point.
We arrived at the trailhead, now a group of acquaintances as opposed to being just co-members of a university club. As we set out on the hike, we were all single file and quiet. That didn't last long as the conversation started right back up, probably scaring most of the wildlife from there to Pennsylvania. Stories about people's lives and backgrounds, jokes, and laughter filled the forest as we traversed the rock and dirt path. At times, the path became steep. Sweat started to pour, breaths got deeper, conversation slowed and stopped. Hours passed and we got higher and higher above sea level. A newt skittered past, a snake slithered and stuck its tongue out at us. An older couple sitting on a log informed us that we just missed a black bear wandering in the woods. An actual real life BEAR! Im kind of glad we missed that one... We looked down an abandoned copper mine, saw the autumnal effects on the leaves, and eventually came to a vista overlooking the beautiful Delaware river and surrounding woodlands with awe. As we approached this vista, a man walking past said that the "official bird counter" was up there observing bald eagles and broad-wing hawks. Okay... bald eagles are pretty damn cool, but what was this about an "official bird counter!?" What the ... Such a job exists? Does it pay well? Anyway, there literally was a man standing at the top with one of those little clickers counting the number of migrating birds, but I digress... The bird watchers were all lounging out on top of the mountain with scopes and binoculars, eating lunches and chatting. It was here that the ambitious learner quality that resides in Columbia students took over. I learned more about migrating eagles and hawks than I did over the course of my life. Way high above us, hawks used thermal updrafts to lift themselves 1000's of feet into the air. Then they glide down, towards the south, until they hit the next thermal. By doing this, the birds can travel thousands of miles using very little energy. We sat and ate our lunches watching the birds and overlooking the Appalachian Mountains.
After forty or so minutes of resting, learning, and watching, we began our descent. No longer just club-mates or acquaintances, but as friends. We joked about politics, feminism at Barnard, and anything that came to mind... How far the topics had progressed in such little time was astounding. A couple of us already started planning an overnight hike and inquired about volunteering for the group. On the way home, new friends discussed society and life, a far cry from talking about class and programs. Finally, e-mails and phones numbers were exchanged and we all went our separate ways, for now.
I didn't expect to meet so many awesome people or learn about migrating birds or even sign up as a driver for an overnight hike, but I'm really glad I did. No expectations. Go try something with no preconceived notions or plans. Always keep an open mind and as my swim coach used to tell me all the time, just go with the flow. You might experience something great that otherwise may have disappointed.
