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September, 2007
Up Sharptop
By Gloria Hrit, grade 7, Grand Blanc, MI
A scorching hot afternoon in Bedford, Virginia usually means this: stay inside with the A.C. blasting, and read a good book with some ice cream. But plans changed instantly when I was invited to hike up one of the tallest mountains in Virginia: Sharptop.
At approximately 1,900 feet, this might not seem like the ideal thing to do on a 95 degree day. I agree. But it was worth it.
There are basically two downhill parts on the mountain. You might think: "Downhill? That's crazy!" Well, I thought so, too. But, I will also say that by the time I got to those parts, I was too grateful for something besides uphill to say much of anything.
There were also some flat parts, which was wonderful. The rest, you ask? The steepest (and only) mountain I have ever climbed.
I started, and thought, this is easy, man. But it gets harder. If you've ever hiked up Sharptop, you know that after even five minutes your legs start aching and you feel like you want to rest forever. That's not a good idea. You really want to get to the top. Yes. You do.
There are some animals, like deer, and (thank God!) some shortcuts. You have to find them. You'll enjoy them a lot if you like to climb.
A suggestion: DON'T WEAR A SKIRT/DRESS!!! Those things get tangled up and they weigh you down, and they're just a nuisance. Stick to shorts, please.
It's about a half hour to forty five minutes to get up there, and when you do, you won't regret it. Not even when you're old and white! At the top, there are so many rocks you can climb, for all you children out there, and there are places to sit, stand, eat, even sleep (if you like to sleep on rocks)! Oh, and did I mention the view? The view is incredible! Everything looks doll-sized! The lakes look like puddles, and the puddles don't even exist! And there are millions and millions of trees! There are tree tops, and tree leaves! There are also tons of stacked rocks that are like stepping stones, they're so easy to climb! That's one of the best parts!!! And (this is for kids who like to be active) the best part (besides getting to the top) is that you can run the whole way down! Don't run too fast, or you'll more likely than not fall and hurt yourself, and we don't want that, do we?
Bored this summer, or next summer?? Climb Sharptop!
The author is a cousin of the publisher.
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