Hiking Lantau

It's the moments when the task at hand requires your energy, strength, endurance, and determination that you're brain just clears itself from all the clutter.

You're hiking up Lantau peak with three fit, fast-paced males.

Shit, it's not so bad...you've been working out right? The elliptical and the treadmill? Sure, you're in peak condition to hike Lantau. I mean, it's only a tenth the size of Everest, and You started at the Buddha. This things practically a hill. You're just getting started man. You're feeling cocky.

The steps get steeper, the trail more winding, the pace picks up. How long is this hike?

Half an hour later, you're just trying to fucking hold your own. Shit this is hard. You pause to take a breather and realize that you are surrounded by rolling green mountains, the ocean, and silence. You look ahead and all you see are winding endless steps, And you're asking yourself if the two full sheeshas single-handedly smoked the night prior were really necessary. Your lungs hurt. Your legs wobble. Shit, you're out of shape. Lingering thoughts of turning back seep into the crevices of your brain. Maybe it'll do to just enjoying the tranquility of the very step you stand on.

Suck it up man, suck it up.

And you just push each leg forward, one step at a time. The men sprint ahead and you're left alone, just you and endless rolling hills and winding steps. And the quiet. Now it's just you. Nothing to push you forward but your own determination. It's a game now. A game of endurance, of strength, of willpower. Of proving to yourself that you're not about to turn back.

That you're stronger than that.

And you play the game until the last winding step.

Lantau Peak.
Overlooking the island at 934 meters.

Damn. That feels good.