Hiking in Paradise

Hiking in Paradise

Tristan Wright
Academic Writing and Research
Essay #1 “An encounter with Nature”
Second Draft

Hiking in Paradise

We all looked on in amazement at the stunning view of Diamond Head Crater just in front of us. Diamond Head National Park is located just off the shore of Hawaii and was just a short drive from where my family and I were vacationing. Knowing we would not be coming back to Hawaii any time soon we decided we would definitely want to hike up the crater to experience firsthand one of Hawaii’s most iconic and recognizable landmarks. We all did one final check to ensure we had everything we needed before we set off on our adventure.
The nine of us embarking on the trip included my parents, my sister Aubrey, my aunt and uncle, my cousin Brittney, my grandparents on my mother’s side, and lastly me. At the trailhead we examined a sign explaining the mile hike to the crater’s rim. The sign also said it was a two hour round trip and advised hikers to bring water. Well prepared we quickly started up the path.
Although the trail was not difficult, it wasn’t just a casual walk through the park. A metal railing lined the path at any place hikers were in danger of falling, and the ground had many places where it had eroded away as if encouraging careless hikers to sprain an ankle. The uneven path crumbled at each step we took, but we did not falter, for we quickly winded in and out along the first stretch of pathway like a slithering snake. Soon we began climbing higher and higher up the crater, and began noticing along the path that the small trees and plants grew in a bizarre pattern uncontrolled by humans.
After some time we arrived at the first set of stairs, over 90 steps almost straight up. Despite the daunting sight, we continued our journey up the crater. At the top of the stairs we entered a narrow, 225-foot long pitch black tunnel. We swiftly pulled out our flashlights to help aid our vision through the tunnel. Every step we took...

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