The world around us was filled with a symphony of nature sounds sweetly singing as we climbed the path newly washed with a slurry of rain and snow. The dewy greenery plushly lined the once barren and dirt-packed trail to transport any traveler from the city streets below into a magical fairytale existence. The friend, who I had invited along for the day’s hike, was enjoying the conversation and scenery that came with the ascent of the Southern California mountain when we reached the halfway point along the trail. They had no idea what would follow after coming to this point.

The sun at this section of the trail was steadily rising overhead. The cool spring air was beginning to warm as the sun’s rays broke free from behind the barrier of thinly veiled clouds. Turning back to go to the beginning of the trail would have tallied a 5-mile trip. However, continuing to the next peak would push our hike to 10 miles.

“I thought we were going to the top,” my friend said, looking at the next section of the trail. “I’m ready to do the whole thing.” It was at this time that a petite older woman in brightly colored hiking gear walked up to us. “Are you guys going to the top?” She asked as we hovered by the path that would transport us another couple of miles to the next peak. “Do you know the way? Could I tag along with you?”

I’ve climbed this particular trail many times. I know exactly where to go, what we’ll see, where we should pause for breaks, and how it will feel to complete this particular trail. I knew I would be absolutely exhausted climbing the elevation of this mountain trail. I knew the route enough to know that it was a tough one, even if it was popular. However, the friend I was with and this new companion we found had never been to the top of this trail, and they were excited to cross the destination off their list of local hikes. “Yes, I know the way,” I said with hesitation. “It will add an additional 5 miles to the total trip, though.”

“The group I was with left me. I tried to catch up with them, but they're going to the top and really fast,” said the abandoned hiker. “I want to hike to the top, but I don’t want to do it alone.”

My fate for the day was sealed at that moment. The casual 5-mile hike I planned had instantaneously evolved into a 10-mile trek with an additional hiking partner. “Of course, you can tag along with us,” I replied before taking a quick sip of water.

The three of us took to the path and hiked the winding trail up the mountain. During our ascent, we bonded over cooking tips and creating hiking snacks and meals. Our new hiking partner told us how to dry various fruits out in the sun in bamboo baskets. She shared tidbits of information about traditional east asian dishes and gardening secrets. In exchange, I shared the few hiking and backpacking tips I’ve picked up over my years of hiking and traveling.

The unexpected experience of picking up a stray on the trail wasn’t new to me. It usually always involves trusting your life with and looking out for a complete stranger in a remote location outdoors. Watching the back of someone you just met and making sure they make it back to civilization okay is always an adventure. For however long the hiking trip takes, you are crossing paths with and coexisting with someone you may have never gotten a chance to speak to otherwise.

The insights and perspective you gain by haphazardly exploring nature and climbing a mountain with a complete stranger are unmatched. You get to rip the pleasantries out from the beginning, drive straight into deep conversations, and access knowledge unfamiliar to you. You get to experience a different point of view while moving through a challenging yet equal playing field of dirt, elevation, and the surrounding wilderness. I didn’t plan my hike that day with the people I ended up hiking with, but I also didn’t mind hiking with them and experiencing all that I did that day. So often in life, things are unplanned, but it’s all about what you pick up, who you connect with, and what you learn along the way that matters. The hike with Susan was no different.