Rowan and Jamie had planned a real “men’s adventure.” Just two men and nature. They wanted to hike the Red String Trail: starting at Meadowland, going up through Firgrove, reaching the mountain campsite, and tying a red ribbon there.

Rowan: “From Meadowland to the campsite it’s 14 kilometers. If we keep a good pace, we’ll be back in time for dinner.”

Jamie: “Hours in the wilderness. A challenge. We’ll come back as different men.”

A few hundred meters later—

Jamie: “Theoretically speaking… when do new hiking boots stop rubbing?”

Rowan: “You’re testing new boots on a multi-hour hike?”

Above the Silverglade sandpit, barely a kilometer from Meadowland—

Jamie: “I’m done. Let’s take a break.”

Rowan: “Jamie… we can still see the roof of the Silverglade Mine. Give me the water.”

Jamie paused.

Jamie: “What water? I guess our study on how long real men survive without water ends right here.”

They kept walking until they reached the barbecue spot at the start of the Red String Trail. Then a stomach growled.

Rowan: “Another break? You had breakfast an hour ago.”

Jamie: “I’ve got trail hunger.”

Half an hour later, climbing uphill, they were both so exhausted they had to stop again.

It slowly dawned on them: they would never reach the campsite like this.

Jamie: “This is embarrassing.”

Rowan: “Only if we tell the truth.”

So they came up with a new plan.

Jamie: “We stay here. Two hours. Then we return dramatically.”

Rowan: “With steep climbs and brutal headwinds. A borderline physical challenge.”

On the way back—

Jamie: “We smear some mud on ourselves, stick branches in our hair, and I limp a little. For credibility.”

Rowan: “Forget the mud. The limp will do. The walk back will handle the rest.”

They arrived back at Meadowland — limping, exhausted, and extremely dramatic. Claire and I were waiting for them.

Jamie: “Rough terrain… steep ascents…”

Rowan: “A true test of endurance…”

Rowan’s phone beeped. Claire picked it up and checked the screen.

Claire: “Congratulations! 4.6 kilometers and 2 hours of activity. Your hiking app just congratulated you, Rowan.”

Gillian: “Heroes.”