The night is dark and full of terrors, but not for me. Saturday night there was a full moon. A supermoon as some call it because it occurred during the moon’s closest point to the earth during its orbit. I had been feeling the energy build up and needed to do something. Sometimes I like to go out and howl at the moon (see if I can get all the neighbors’ dogs going) to let off some steam. This time, though, I needed more. I was just to charged. So, I decided I was going to take a night hike down into the forest.
As night rolled around, it looked like my plan might not work. The sky was overcast, blocking out the light of stars and obscuring the moon. I kept checking every so often until the moon was high past the tree line and peaking through breaks in the cloud cover. I felt it was enough illumination to go so I geared up. I put on some long sleeves and bug repellent and got out my headlamp.
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| Even in shadow, the moon still lit up the landscape. |
I have done hikes in the dark before and ran around the woods at night. This was different though. Usually it was some kind of group activity. Most of the time it was never too far from light and a small piece of civilization. In scouts we would play capture the flag, but usually we were never that far from the campfire and would have flashlights on hand.
As I made my way down past the woodline I turned on the red light for my headlamp. I chose that because it would not destroy my night vision. Pointed at the ground it was enough to keep me from tripping over branches, but it was weak and did not shine out very far. So most of what I saw was in a pale half light.
Paths that seemed so familiar in the daytime were transformed into an alien landscape. Leaves seemed to have a gentle glow to them as though my sight were growing hazy. Every sound was amplified and the scents stronger. My senses and body were on edge. Any little shift or movement left me to wonder what might be out there. Vines grabbing at my cloths gave me a startle.
With each step I became bolder. This was my forest, my home. The thick breaks in the trees were letting plenty of light down on the path. Pausing, I fortified myself for the big step. I clicked off my light. I was left not in darkness, but in a shimmering dreamscape. I headed deeper into the umbra, but Luna continued to light my way.
I walked along the edge of the stream, listening to the steady flow of the water. I tilted my head back to howl and let out all that was pent up in me. This was my place. I banished my fears and let the energy of nature flow around me. Light cannot exist without shadow, so here I was in the depths of something primal and often forgotten.
Ultimately, I chose not to walk to deep into the woods. I believe in trying to practice good sense safety when I hike. Given that no one would notice me missing until the next day at least, an injury could prove disastrous. The possibility of falling off a small clift was quite real. Had there been someone expecting me back by a certain time, I might have tried climbing down to one of my favorite spots. Nothing is quite so embarrassing as a search and rescuer who has to have his own team come find him.
I headed back up the path to home. This time, there would be no light save for the orb above. I leapt the recently fallen branches and ducked under the spiders web. I pushed through the overgrown greenbriars. Up the hill I went feeling renewed. I breathed in the life saturated air and gave a final howl before turning in for the night.
