Magic Bus

After finding my way back to the trail, I chose a different direction, hoping this time I had made the right decision. After a few minutes, I realized my earlier mistake.

First of all— instead of bringing the map, I had memorized it. The trail was actually quite simple: follow the road until you reach the first river (small), cross it, then continue until you arrive at the second river (much bigger), which you also need to cross. After that, just follow the road until you see the bus.

Approaching the second river, I thought I had already crossed it. It turned out the first "river" was just a random creek. The river in front of me wasn’t just big—it was huge. A massive amount of glacially cold water was rushing down the stream at high speed.

I decided to cross it anyway. Without overthinking, I grabbed a stick and stepped into the river. The water was freezing. My feet instantly felt a sharp, bone-chilling pain. With every step, I sank deeper until the water reached my waist. I hadn’t even crossed a third of the river when the current began pushing me downstream. I needed to turn back, but that was easier said than done. Slowly, step by step, I retreated to the shore.

I tried three more times to find the right spot to cross, but each attempt was impossible. Eventually, I walked further downhill and found a place where I decided to try again. This time, I made it across and stepped onto the opposite bank of the river.

It was already 11 p.m., but the sun was still shining. As soon as it reached the horizon, it would start rising again. Never-ending summer.

P.S. Years later, when I was visiting Poland, my friends told me a story about how they went to a meeting with some famous travelers who had been to Alaska and tried to reach the bus. They couldn’t cross the river and ended up taking a helicopter. They couldn’t believe the story my friend told them about my adventure there.

Alaska, 2017