Garibaldi Lake

A Whisper in The Rock Guestbook   Mar 13, 2015

A bead of sweat had begun to pool near my hairline, growing in size it started to slide down my cheek leaving a wet trail amidst my freckles and dry parched skin as it went; alike the lines drawn of where someone has been on a map. Funny how a face can tell a story just as easily as a word, a picture, or a map can depict one. As the drop reached my upper lip I tasted the salt but didn't care enough at the time to swipe it away. My senses were on high alert, every inch of me was buzzing with the sensation of the looming forest above me and alluring nature that enveloped me on all sides. Aware of the moist shirt under my backpack, the ache of my calves, and the sound of my teeth grinding together as I grimaced with each step from the newly formed blister across my heel I trudged onward. Scents of pine needles and dirt intermingled with sweet fresh air reached my nose, my lungs had never felt so alive as they did in that moment. The branches hung above me drooped inwards from all the rain making me feel like royalty walking beneath their arched tips. The gruelling four hour hike was almost at its end; I reached the transparent aqua lake and was awarded with the most magnificent sight. Upon seeing one of British Columbia’s unique specialties I had thought to myself how lucky I was to call this my home. I felt as though I was sharing a secret with my own Country, how many people were lucky enough to discover this rarest of treasures. Beautiful British Columbia; the epicentre of its beauty lies within its mountain ranges, tall forests, and lakes that are found scattered across its land such as this one. Garibaldi Mountain is a Provincial Park located just outside of Whistler, Canada. A Canadian’s connection to the outdoors is what makes them a proud member of its unique heritage and culture, I could not have been more in awe of my own country than I was standing there. Rounding the corner I ate my peanut butter and jelly sandwich (that tasted like Lobster and Caviar to my grumbling stomach) as audience to the astounding glacier. That was until the clouds over my head began to darken and thrust the entire contents of the ocean atop my head. The torrential downpour came instantaneously and out of nowhere. I ran for cover into the nearest cave, a choice I learned to later regret. It stank of mold and I could hear the unpleasant sound of rats scurrying around my feet in the deserted cave. Soaked but settled I ate my dinner and tried to get a blink of sleep. I awoke what seemed like hours later but must have only been minutes as the cave was still pitch black. Again I raised my head only to find darkness. The third time I awoke I knew something was wrong, the sun should have come up by than. It was then that I sat down in this same spot that I am now still writing the days events in this journal, staring at the impermeable wall of rocks that had once been my entrance. It must have fallen during the night trapping me with the rats inside. I have tried my cell phone, even searched for another exit, but have come up with nothing. Three hours go by and I am still sitting here. Ten Hours, and I try to yell to get someone-anyones attention. A day? Definitely two by now and I'm slowly running out of the food I brought. Maybe three? Okay officially out of food and water. This can not be how I die. I love you mom. I love you dad. These words repeat again and again in my head forming a mantra. I have so much left to do I thought aloud, places I wanted to see, people I should get the chance to meet, someone I have to marry. It was by chance the rain started that day, bad luck that caused the rocks to crash down, and now devastation that is seeping in my cold joints as I come to the realization there is no way out. Five days now. Six. Seven.