This was my first hike ever and OH MY GOODNESS! I was vacationing in Nevis and stared at Nevis peak all week. I mean, let’s face it. It’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s intimidating. It was calling me. I was a little bit hesitant reading the reviews as most of them said this is a 9/10 strenuous climb and do not attempt unless you’re an experienced hiker/climber, both of which I am not. PSH! What do they know? Turns out they knew a lot BUT…I’m athletic, I’m adventurous, I’m stubborn, I push my limits and test my own boundaries. I got this. So off I went. Jumped in the van with another far more experienced hiker and two fabulous guides (hey @ja.h.no and @dejhaunc) with @island_buzz_tours. I realized very quickly that this in fact was not going to be a hike but a steady vertical climb to the top. The trail was muddy, heavily rooted, steep, and fun! If you have health conditions and or bad knees, this may not be for you! I’m thankful for the ropes and mother natures oversized roots to facilitate the climb. I did purchase the gloves and I’m so thankful that I did! The higher up we went the steeper and more difficult it became. Taking breaks here and there to catch my breath and take in the stunning views. I remember hearing “we’re in the homestretch.” I’m pretty sure those words sparked the last little bit of energy I had left in my body. I reached the top. When we reached the top you couldn’t see a thing initially. We were in a cloud, which was really cool! Our guides were patient and waited to see if the clouds would burn off. They eventually did and WOW what a reward! The feeling of accomplishment paired with the breathtaking views from the top of Nevis Peak was profound. I’m thankful I got to experience something this incredible. What goes up must come down. The way back down was equally as challenging in its own way. Although easier, it was definitely more technical-especially with the muddy trails and slippery rocks. All in all this was a 10 out of 10 experience and I’m glad I did it. Challenging? Very. Rewarding? Absolutely!