Last I left you, Felicia and I had just left Tuckerman’s Ravine Trailhead. It was a gradual incline with a rocky but well-worn trail. I was taking pictures of some cool root systems and really enjoying the time in nature. It was a somewhat crisp (but not cold) morning. I was excited for what the day was going to bring. It wasn’t long (quarter mile) before the trail started to get steeper and the rocks turned into boulders. I remember this first section thinking that it would level off and from time to time it did. There would be a section uphill and then a smaller section across (typically a wooden bridge across a stream) that was flat. Well at least for the next quarter mile, but it was increasingly getting steeper with relief from the incline getting further and further apart. I remember, at one point in the bottom half of the climb maybe 30 minutes in, there was a waterfall that Felicia wanted to show me. There were two view points for the waterfall. One was at trail level and one was a few big steps up. Knowing what was ahead of us, Felicia chose to view the waterfall from trail level. I (not fully understanding what was before me) decided to get my picture from the higher location. Admittedly, even at this point I was not sure I was going to make it to the top and in the long shot case that I did, I didn’t want to feel compelled to do it again to get a picture of a damn waterfall. After a few quick pictures we were back on our way. After a few hundred feet more, we sat down for our first snack. At this time I am really questioning my decision and wondering if I am going to make it. I am not one to back down easily but I was scared. I couldn’t tell Felicia and I wasn’t sure I could admit to her I was woefully unprepared for this hike. It was also at this time that I began to think I had worn the wrong pants. I was hot, sweaty hot; they were proving to be too long and too stretchy. A wardrobe malfunction was eminent. And so Felicia and I laughed made some small talk and after a few peanut better filled pretzels, some water and folding up my pant legs so they were cropped, we were back on our way. The round trip should not take more than a mere 8 more hours. I would have to stop every 15 minutes to hike up my pants and tighten the draw string... After 1.5 hours we made it to the Hermit Shelters. These are shelters that are located about halfway to the top. They have bathrooms and a place to replenish water. These shelters make the Joe Dodge Lodge look like the Ritz Carlton and I for one was grateful that I stayed at Joe Dodge. The shelters are basically a structure with three walls. I imagine anything can get in the unprotected side (spiders, snakes, bears, raccoons, mice, mountain lions) and don't get me started about the walk in the woods to the bathrooms - I have nightmares even thinking about it. After a brief check in and another snack break we were back on our way. I spent most of this break really inspired. I made it halfway, I can totally do this. It would not be long before I realized that the first half was basically a walk in the park. What was to come would be so much more challenging than what was behind me and really harder than I could have ever imagined. As I look back at the pictures the evidence is clear, between the Hermit Shelters and the top I have may be 3 pictures most of which were taken within 10 minutes of leaving the shelter area. So there you have it, I spoiled the end. I survived and made it to the top. I did… but it was a challenge. It took just about 3 hours from the Shelters a total of 5 hours from the bottom. It got increasingly steeper and the rocks got larger until it was just boulders. The trail is essentially rock face, and precarious in parts. At one point, I remember looking up at Felicia not sure where my next step was going to be and telling her I was scared out of my mind. Which she found hysterical, this is the product of my life in sarcasm. Only this day I wasn’t being sarcastic, but I don’t think she knew that. That said her unwavering faith in my ability to do this is what kept me going. That coupled with the top was closer than the bottom. At this point we are probably an hour or so from the top. What started out as a nice day was now a chilly, cloudy, and windy day? The climbing was basically on all fours and as much about upper body strength as it was about leg strength. But mostly it was about endurance and mental stamina. I was certain I had no more left but I was going to finish because there were no more options. Just put one foot in front of the other. My clothes were dripping wet from sweat, every part of my body was tired, exhausted and my mind wanted to see beyond the fog so I could at least see the destination. I can do almost anything as long as I know my destination. Just as my mental state is wearing I can hear some cheering in the distance, then I hear the rumble of a couple of motorcycles, and finally I see it. The road. The road is just ahead… I SO have this, I will make it to the top; I am NOT going to die on this mountain. The relief runs through my body and fills me with energy... “Filling me with energy” may be over stating it just a bit, but I have hope and a little more spring in my step. As we continue the clouds get thinner and we see it - we are there. As I approach the rocks that will get me on the road I see this couple. All I can think is… “You have to be freaking kidding me…” He was in an alpine get-up with knickers, she was appropriately attired in hiking pants, a scarf, both had packs and poles and they were headed down (what looked to be) the same path we came up - they were fresh as daisies - down is harder than up … if you can believe it…. Gravity makes it more challenging. They had to be at least 70…. Throughout the day I had been passed up by many people. It was, at times humiliating, especially when some would bound past me like it was 10 feet. Felicia assured me they started at a different location. But the elderly couple was the final deflating straw…I felt so out of shape but these thoughts were not going to get me to the top so I divert my focus to the road. We climbed the last few steps and we are on top at the road. Relief... I did it... We did it! Get me a chair I can go no farther. But alas… I looked up and to add insult to ever lovin injury there are about 3 more flights of stairs until we get to the very top. Serious, can you give a girl a break?? But we do it not, our legs are jelly. It is 35 degrees on the top, we are cold and wet… and starting to feel grateful that we decided not to walk down too. There was just no way.. it was more of a risk than I wanted to put myself or Felicia in. We went to the hut arranged for a van to take us down to Joe Dodge and breathed a sigh of relief. It was over and we did it! I have often said had I known - I would never have done it. Remember, I decided to do this because I was taking a break (because of injuries) from triathlons. Next time I will wrap up the rest of the trip, provide some final thoughts on the journey. Let me know if you have any questions I can answer!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Part 2: Mountain Washington is a Mountain
Last I left you, Felicia and I had just left Tuckerman’s Ravine Trailhead. It was a gradual incline with a rocky but well-worn trail. I was taking pictures of some cool root systems and really enjoying the time in nature. It was a somewhat crisp (but not cold) morning. I was excited for what the day was going to bring. It wasn’t long (quarter mile) before the trail started to get steeper and the rocks turned into boulders. I remember this first section thinking that it would level off and from time to time it did. There would be a section uphill and then a smaller section across (typically a wooden bridge across a stream) that was flat. Well at least for the next quarter mile, but it was increasingly getting steeper with relief from the incline getting further and further apart. I remember, at one point in the bottom half of the climb maybe 30 minutes in, there was a waterfall that Felicia wanted to show me. There were two view points for the waterfall. One was at trail level and one was a few big steps up. Knowing what was ahead of us, Felicia chose to view the waterfall from trail level. I (not fully understanding what was before me) decided to get my picture from the higher location. Admittedly, even at this point I was not sure I was going to make it to the top and in the long shot case that I did, I didn’t want to feel compelled to do it again to get a picture of a damn waterfall. After a few quick pictures we were back on our way. After a few hundred feet more, we sat down for our first snack. At this time I am really questioning my decision and wondering if I am going to make it. I am not one to back down easily but I was scared. I couldn’t tell Felicia and I wasn’t sure I could admit to her I was woefully unprepared for this hike. It was also at this time that I began to think I had worn the wrong pants. I was hot, sweaty hot; they were proving to be too long and too stretchy. A wardrobe malfunction was eminent. And so Felicia and I laughed made some small talk and after a few peanut better filled pretzels, some water and folding up my pant legs so they were cropped, we were back on our way. The round trip should not take more than a mere 8 more hours. I would have to stop every 15 minutes to hike up my pants and tighten the draw string... After 1.5 hours we made it to the Hermit Shelters. These are shelters that are located about halfway to the top. They have bathrooms and a place to replenish water. These shelters make the Joe Dodge Lodge look like the Ritz Carlton and I for one was grateful that I stayed at Joe Dodge. The shelters are basically a structure with three walls. I imagine anything can get in the unprotected side (spiders, snakes, bears, raccoons, mice, mountain lions) and don't get me started about the walk in the woods to the bathrooms - I have nightmares even thinking about it. After a brief check in and another snack break we were back on our way. I spent most of this break really inspired. I made it halfway, I can totally do this. It would not be long before I realized that the first half was basically a walk in the park. What was to come would be so much more challenging than what was behind me and really harder than I could have ever imagined. As I look back at the pictures the evidence is clear, between the Hermit Shelters and the top I have may be 3 pictures most of which were taken within 10 minutes of leaving the shelter area. So there you have it, I spoiled the end. I survived and made it to the top. I did… but it was a challenge. It took just about 3 hours from the Shelters a total of 5 hours from the bottom. It got increasingly steeper and the rocks got larger until it was just boulders. The trail is essentially rock face, and precarious in parts. At one point, I remember looking up at Felicia not sure where my next step was going to be and telling her I was scared out of my mind. Which she found hysterical, this is the product of my life in sarcasm. Only this day I wasn’t being sarcastic, but I don’t think she knew that. That said her unwavering faith in my ability to do this is what kept me going. That coupled with the top was closer than the bottom. At this point we are probably an hour or so from the top. What started out as a nice day was now a chilly, cloudy, and windy day? The climbing was basically on all fours and as much about upper body strength as it was about leg strength. But mostly it was about endurance and mental stamina. I was certain I had no more left but I was going to finish because there were no more options. Just put one foot in front of the other. My clothes were dripping wet from sweat, every part of my body was tired, exhausted and my mind wanted to see beyond the fog so I could at least see the destination. I can do almost anything as long as I know my destination. Just as my mental state is wearing I can hear some cheering in the distance, then I hear the rumble of a couple of motorcycles, and finally I see it. The road. The road is just ahead… I SO have this, I will make it to the top; I am NOT going to die on this mountain. The relief runs through my body and fills me with energy... “Filling me with energy” may be over stating it just a bit, but I have hope and a little more spring in my step. As we continue the clouds get thinner and we see it - we are there. As I approach the rocks that will get me on the road I see this couple. All I can think is… “You have to be freaking kidding me…” He was in an alpine get-up with knickers, she was appropriately attired in hiking pants, a scarf, both had packs and poles and they were headed down (what looked to be) the same path we came up - they were fresh as daisies - down is harder than up … if you can believe it…. Gravity makes it more challenging. They had to be at least 70…. Throughout the day I had been passed up by many people. It was, at times humiliating, especially when some would bound past me like it was 10 feet. Felicia assured me they started at a different location. But the elderly couple was the final deflating straw…I felt so out of shape but these thoughts were not going to get me to the top so I divert my focus to the road. We climbed the last few steps and we are on top at the road. Relief... I did it... We did it! Get me a chair I can go no farther. But alas… I looked up and to add insult to ever lovin injury there are about 3 more flights of stairs until we get to the very top. Serious, can you give a girl a break?? But we do it not, our legs are jelly. It is 35 degrees on the top, we are cold and wet… and starting to feel grateful that we decided not to walk down too. There was just no way.. it was more of a risk than I wanted to put myself or Felicia in. We went to the hut arranged for a van to take us down to Joe Dodge and breathed a sigh of relief. It was over and we did it! I have often said had I known - I would never have done it. Remember, I decided to do this because I was taking a break (because of injuries) from triathlons. Next time I will wrap up the rest of the trip, provide some final thoughts on the journey. Let me know if you have any questions I can answer!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment