Chapter 1

I tightened the straps on my backpack, making sure it was snug against my body. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the path, dried leaves left over from winter crunching underfoot.

I was completely alone, the parking lot empty, the trailhead deserted. Even for hiker standards, it was much too early. The sun was just starting to rise, peeking out from the distant horizon, painting the world in muted yellows and reds.

The wind picked up speed, whipping a few wisps of hair into my face. I had braided it that morning, but no matter what I did, there were always a few strands that managed to get away. I pinned them behind my ear as I took in the breathtaking view before me.

I couldn’t believe I was here.

After four years of working day and night to get an undergraduate degree, I succeeded in obtaining straight A’s, the privileged spot as valedictorian, and a free ride to a Ph.D. program at Oxford University. Life was finally falling into place, becoming just what I hoped it would be.

To reward myself, I decided to take a gap year between my studies so I could backpack across Europe. As an ecologist, I hoped to study the various biomes such as forests, marshes, and fens.

With this thought in mind, I hooked my thumbs under the straps of my bag and headed out, following the path into Germany’s Black Forest. About a hundred feet in, I stopped at a birch tree. Its white bark stood out in great contrast against the fir trees that surrounded it.

I rested my hand against its crooked trunk, running my palm over the rough surface. I dropped my bag, rummaging around for my pocket knife. Carefully, I cut away a piece of bark, exposing the inner layer. Just as I suspected, the tree was dying.

With a frown, I placed the specimen in a clear plastic bag. I would examine it later and hopefully, find the cause of its illness.

At one point in time, the Black Forest had been a very diverse ecosystem with hundreds of different of trees and shrubbery. Now, due to the logging industry, the forest consisted mostly of tall, branchless fir trees.

Knowing there was nothing I could do to save the tree, I continued my hike.

As the sun rose higher and higher, birds started to emerge from their nests. They scavenged in the foliage, looking for a worm to snatch up and bring back to their young. Quietly, I snuck up behind a bright yellow Warbler with a beetle in its mouth. Picking up my camera, I zoomed in, capturing the moment perfectly. The second the bird heard the shutter, however, it flew away, alerting the other birds in the area that there was danger afoot.

A cacophony of bird sounds filled the forest, reverberating against the trees, amplifying their chirps and squawks.

When the forest once again fell into a state of relative silence, I could hear the bubbling of a nearby brook. Deviating from the path, I followed the sound, eager to see what kind of aquatic life I might find.

After a short walk, I found the stream. To my amazement, it looked completely untouched, despite its proximity to the well-used trail. Smiling, I took a minute to appreciate the crystal-clear water.

On the other side, a chipmunk scurried forward, filling its oversized cheeks with water. It did this a few times before it heard my approach and dashed into its nearby burrow.

I sat down by the water’s edge, mesmerized by its beauty. A few feet down, a fish jumped out of the water, before diving in again. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures, hoping I could submit them to a nature magazine once I got back home.

Eventually, I grabbed my journal and wrote the first entry for my trip.

May 17th,

I have arrived at the Black Forest. I plan to spend approximately three weeks traveling along its paths. Some of that time will be spent in the wilderness, underneath the stars. Of course, I will also have to visit of the tourist cabins, especially when I need provisions.

The weather is perfect. Clear skies. Warm, ambient temperature. A slight breeze. I checked the forecast this morning and they predicted a full week of sunshine. Hopefully, it stays that way. Backpacking in the rain is never a fun experience.

So far, I’ve seen a dying birch tree. I suspect that the loggers are managing to slowly kill off entire species through deforestation. For a biome that was so diverse a hundred years ago, now there’s nothing but fir trees. Hopefully, a protection act will be passed soon to preserve this beautiful place.

Currently, I have stopped beside a brook. It seems free of pollution and other contaminants that one might expect in such a heavily-populated area. Perhaps tourists don’t like to deviate from the path. The monoculture of fir trees definitely makes the forest confusing to navigate. Everything looks the same to the untrained eye.

Took some pictures. Will include them as soon as they are printed. Will write more later tonight. For now, this is all.

-Pearl Haynes

I finished my entry, placing my journal back in my backpack before I continued my hike. The hours passed by quickly as I immersed myself in the forest, wandering deeper and deeper.

I was surprised when the sun started to set. Where had the day gone?

Knowing I would have to set up camp before nighttime, I started looking for a clearing. I found one rather quickly.

To my benefit, someone had been there before me as there was already a makeshift fire pit composed of large rocks organized in a circle. Depositing my bag near it, I headed out, looking for firewood.

Since the spring season had yet to fully penetrate the depths of the forest, most of the area was damp, making it difficult to find dry pieces of timber. After quite some time, I came back with a bundle, dropping them into the pit.

Carefully, I stacked them into a pyramid, placing some tinder underneath. Using my lighter, it ignited almost immediately. The fire roared shortly after.

I held out my hands, warming them against the flames before I started to unpack. Seeing that it would be a rainless night, I set out my sleeping bag next to the fire.

Tonight, I wouldn’t need a tent.