Switchbacks

After backpacking in New Mexico for two weeks, the last day on the trail had finally come. Not only was this the last day, but it was also the worst day of my existence. Only fifteen miles stood between us and the end of our savage mountain man lives. I smelled like a rancid mess but had become numb to my own odor. We began to hike with no problems and no worries. We hiked up a side trail to the top of an ginormous rock known as the tooth of time. The top of this rock was the breeding grounds for thousands and maybe millions of lady bugs. Rex Self grabbed and handful of these bugs and was about to put them on James who is terrified of insects. James hit his hand from underneath, and Rex happened to have his mouth wide open. His mouth was filled with these bugs, that were covered in reproductive... juices.

After returning to the trail we found that we had come to switchbacks. Switchbacks are trails that are too steep to walk strait up or down so you are forced to walk back and forth down the trail so that the angle of decent or accent is greatly decreased. Although the trail is not nearly as steep, the length that you are required to walk is doubled. We could see our destination for the entire fifteen miles, but we were forced to stay on the trail and walk left, then right, and then back right.

As much as I hated the switchbacks, I knew that they were there for my own good. If I had chosen to disregard the trail and walk strait down the mountain, it more than likely would have resulted in someone falling, a broken ankle or another injury. Many rules that we encounter may seem ridiculous and without purpose, but they are for our own good and protection. All rules and guidelines are created because someone, somewhere was hurt. For example, I used to think that the rule ,”No running next to the pool,” was ridiculous until I witnessed someone fall and get a big booboo. As I said, all rules are made because someone got hurt.

My advice to you is obey the rules. If you are having trouble accepting a rule or guideline, think about why that rule was put in place. In this case, please don't “break a leg”.