It was legendary. After four hours in a cramped truck, a one and a half mile hike in with all of our gear, and setting up camp at two in the morning, we were finally able to journey into the depths of Shawnee National Forest through Panther Den. Panther Den is a camp group in the middle of the forest with no civilization for miles around. The area is filled with natural structures that are perfect for rock climbing, rappelling, bouldering, and cave exploring.

The faded yellows and oranges of the cliffs blended to make them look like they had been painted on. The neverending forests filled the ground below with green and all the colors of autumn leaves. Waterfalls splashed onto the bare rocks below as the wildlife went about their daily lives. The massive cliffs and enormous dropoffs created a view of the land below, while the caves and narrow passageways gave room to explore. With all of these surroundings, I, of course, only had one thing on my mind.

“Hey guys.” I yelled back to David and Tristan. “When’s lunch?”
David sadly told me, “Not for another hour or two.”
“What are we having?” I questioned.
“Sandwiches and chips.” Tritan shouted.

David and Tristan caught up to me and we continued to walk.

“What kind of sandwiches?” I asked David.
“Does it matter?” he asked me.
“Not really,” I replied “but it’s nice to have options.”

We were walking along a narrow ledge overlooking a thirty foot drop that ended with certain death.

“So you guys gonna go rapel after lun--” I was cut off because at that moment a piece of unnoticed moss slipped from beneath my foot. I began to fall but luckily grabbed onto the ledge. I yelled. David and Tristan raced to the edge of the cliff where I was hanging. David grabbed onto my arm and tried to pull me up while Tristan got my other arm. I tried to get a foothold but the cliff was smooth and and I was panicked. They couldn’t pull me up, but finally I got a hold on the side of the cliff and we were able to to pull me from my doom.

“Thanks guys.” I said, gasping for air. “I could’ve died.”

“No problem,” David replied “Would have looked suspicious if we came back without you.”

We all laughed and turned to continue our quest in Panther Den.