The New Face at the Hiking Club

Kestrel led hikes for her local club every month. She knew every trail well. New members often felt nervous on their first hike.

Kestrel memimpin pendakian untuk klub di kotanya setiap bulan. Ia hafal setiap jalur dengan baik. Anggota baru sering merasa gugup pada pendakian pertama mereka.

One Saturday, she noticed a man near the wrong trailhead. He checked his phone and looked around. He seemed lost and unsure.

Pada suatu hari Sabtu, ia melihat seorang pria di dekat pintu masuk jalur yang salah. Pria itu memeriksa ponselnya dan menoleh ke sekeliling. Ia tampak tersesat dan bingung.

Kestrel walked over and smiled. "Are you here for the hiking club?" she asked. "I'm Kestrel. I lead today's hike."

Kestrel menghampirinya sambil tersenyum. "Kamu datang untuk klub pendakian?" tanyanya. "Aku Kestrel. Aku yang memimpin pendakian hari ini."

"Yes, I'm Ilyas," he said. "I think I found the wrong spot." He pointed at a small sign near the parking lot.

"Ya, aku Ilyas," katanya. "Sepertinya aku salah tempat." Ia menunjuk sebuah papan kecil di dekat tempat parkir.

"That sign is old," Kestrel said. "Our group meets at the north entrance now." She waved for him to follow her.

"Papan itu sudah lama," kata Kestrel. "Sekarang kelompok kami berkumpul di pintu masuk utara." Ia melambai agar Ilyas mengikutinya.

They walked together across the parking lot. Kestrel pointed out landmarks along the way. Ilyas relaxed with each step.

Mereka berjalan bersama melintasi tempat parkir. Kestrel menunjukkan penanda-penanda arah sepanjang jalan. Ilyas makin santai di setiap langkah.

At the north entrance, ten hikers waited by a bench. Kestrel introduced Ilyas to the group. Everyone said hello and shook his hand.

Di pintu masuk utara, sepuluh pendaki menunggu di dekat sebuah bangku. Kestrel memperkenalkan Ilyas kepada kelompok itu. Semua orang menyapa dan menjabat tangannya.

During the hike, Kestrel checked on Ilyas often. She showed him where the trail turned steep. He walked well for a first hike.

Selama pendakian, Kestrel sering memeriksa keadaan Ilyas. Ia menunjukkan di mana jalur mulai menanjak curam. Ilyas berjalan dengan baik untuk pendakian pertamanya.

At the top, the group stopped to rest. Ilyas took a photo of the wide view. He thanked Kestrel for her help that day.

Di puncak, kelompok itu berhenti untuk beristirahat. Ilyas memotret pemandangan luas di depannya. Ia berterima kasih kepada Kestrel atas bantuannya hari itu.

"Same time next month?" Kestrel asked. Ilyas nodded and tied his shoe. "I already marked it on my calendar."

"Bulan depan lagi?" tanya Kestrel. Ilyas mengangguk sambil mengikat tali sepatunya. "Aku sudah menandainya di kalenderku."

Months later, Ilyas led his own beginner hikes. He remembered how lost he once felt. He always checked for confused new faces.

Beberapa bulan kemudian, Ilyas memimpin pendakian pemula sendiri. Ia ingat betapa tersesatnya dirinya dulu. Ia selalu mencari wajah-wajah baru yang kebingungan.