| Duration | |
| Adventure |
During a family trip, I saw an intriguing spot for an overnight solo hike off the beaten path.
It seemed like an easy outing, so I was a bit careless in my preparation.
What could go wrong in 24 hours ?
It seemed like an easy outing, so I was a bit careless in my preparation.
What could go wrong in 24 hours ?
Day 1
Leaving the lake in my back, I head uphill where I noticed an open highland on the map.
I don't know what's there. There are no hiking trails. We will find out!
I don't know what's there. There are no hiking trails. We will find out!
5 minutes into the hike, a trace catches my attention.
After 2 hours of easy hiking, I reach a small village - maybe 10 houses.
I planned to get water here but the first villager I see says he doesn't have water.
I knock on doors but houses seem empty.
I planned to get water here but the first villager I see says he doesn't have water.
I knock on doors but houses seem empty.
Finally, in the last house, a man opens. He seems happy to see a visitor.
He tells me the the village does not have running water.
A secluded area, just like I wanted !
He offers me water from his water tank, and somehow, I have this strange feeling that he is wishing me good luck.
He tells me the the village does not have running water.
A secluded area, just like I wanted !
He offers me water from his water tank, and somehow, I have this strange feeling that he is wishing me good luck.
I set up camp in the woods 10 minutes away.
I eat a quick bite while watching the sunset, before heading to the hammock for the night.
A few hours later, I got the scare of my life.
A few hours later, I got the scare of my life.
Night
It must have been around midnight when I was awakened by the scariest sound I have ever heard.
Something between a disgruntled bear and the Beast of Gévaudan.
There are no bears in the region, so it must have been a wolf. Maybe the owner of the trace I saw earlier ?
Whatever it was, it was 20 meters away from my hammock — and it was not happy.
I felt my heart come out of my chest, pumping faster than I thought possible.
Then, after a brief moment, I heard the animal growl away.
I stayed awake for an hour, wondering what to do.
I brought my hiking stick next to me in the hammock and eventually fell asleep.
Something between a disgruntled bear and the Beast of Gévaudan.
There are no bears in the region, so it must have been a wolf. Maybe the owner of the trace I saw earlier ?
Whatever it was, it was 20 meters away from my hammock — and it was not happy.
I felt my heart come out of my chest, pumping faster than I thought possible.
Then, after a brief moment, I heard the animal growl away.
I stayed awake for an hour, wondering what to do.
I brought my hiking stick next to me in the hammock and eventually fell asleep.
Day 2
The next morning, still a bit shocked, I am greeted by this.
So I climb up this hill.
It was fairly easy, but I never knew where the path was.
I was doing a lot of detours because of the landscape and vegetation.
It was fairly easy, but I never knew where the path was.
I was doing a lot of detours because of the landscape and vegetation.
Flies keep following me. They must not have seen a human in years.
They tell their friends and soon I have a cult following.
They tell their friends and soon I have a cult following.
Getting lost
On my way down, I decide to take a shortcut through the vegetation.
At first, it seems like a good idea — but I quickly realize it’s trickier than it looks. I keep getting stuck and advancing by trial and error.
I tell myself it’ll get easier soon, so I keep going.
At first, it seems like a good idea — but I quickly realize it’s trickier than it looks. I keep getting stuck and advancing by trial and error.
I tell myself it’ll get easier soon, so I keep going.
But no. Vegetation keeps getting more dense.
I’ve been descending for an hour now. The dirt road isn’t far but there’s always a ravine blocking the way.
My battery is down to five percent.
To save what's left, I stop looking at the map.
I have not seen a human the whole day.
With vegetation up to my knees, I am thinking if I get bitten by a snake here, it's not a good look.
Turning back uphill, a few hours from sunset, with no battery and no map, is not an option.
I have no choice but keep going.
I’ve been descending for an hour now. The dirt road isn’t far but there’s always a ravine blocking the way.
My battery is down to five percent.
To save what's left, I stop looking at the map.
I have not seen a human the whole day.
With vegetation up to my knees, I am thinking if I get bitten by a snake here, it's not a good look.
Turning back uphill, a few hours from sunset, with no battery and no map, is not an option.
I have no choice but keep going.
After another hour, I finally find a way out of the dense vegetation !
Seeing the tracks was a big relief.
Seeing the tracks was a big relief.
This hike was short but full of adventure 😅
I tell myself to be more careful with battery when alone in a deserted area.
As for the nightly encounter... it still haunts me today.
I tell myself to be more careful with battery when alone in a deserted area.
As for the nightly encounter... it still haunts me today.