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!