Hiking Day 1

It started out hot, like the valleys were soaking up rays of sun and refusing to return them. But once under the cover of the forest, we were shielded from the worst of it.
We were hiking the Appalachian trail- or at least a section of it. My uncle, Spring, Will, and I were on the four-day backpacking trip, where we were determined to scale 10 mountains with 30 pound packs on our backs.
Trees towered over us, blocking the light, leaning percariously over the edge of the path to spy on us. And the rock path undulated with every step, springing up under our feet to trip us, snaring us in raised roots. The way, of course, was up. Up, up, and up, and every time we thought the incline would relent, another, steeper hill was just around the corner.
We trekked to Gibbs Falls, a trickling tongue of water that became a streamlet after it fell.
After we left, the way became increasingly steep, and I had to stop to take several breaks. The trees eventually became stunted and we found our hut where we were going to sleep that night.