Well the pros won. I couldn't stand the thought of being left out of events and future conversations. People cannot have fun without me! Besides I was told this wouldn't be a bad hike (only 1.5 miles up) and I would be fine. "The trail is completely paved and old people do it all the time." while this was true it left out some crucial details. So I got up and prepared for the hike which was leaving in a half hour.
We had eight people go on this hike. The buff jokester, the sensitive teddy bear, the flirt, the boss/guilt tripper, the new guy and new guy's friend, the voice of reason, and me. We hiked up Mount Timpanogas to the Cave. We arrived at the perfect time to start hiking. Not too many people and right in time to make it up in time for the next tour. I was all set, I had my camera and video camera, 2 bottles of water, granola bars, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a jacket for the cave. We set out.
The crucial details I mentioned above became immediately apparent. Yes the trail was paved but it was almost completely vertical (exaggeration). Seriously the steepest hike I have ever been on. I feared my calves were not up to this challenge. And if old people do this all the time then they are really in shape old people.
Within five minutes of the hike I wanted to quit but you just can't do that when you are hiking with University 46th Ward outdoors club. So I pushed on. I wasn't always the last one behind until it we got 3/4 of the way up. We had to stop for me several times (this is where the lowering of the self-esteem comes in). When people are constantly asking you if you are alright and do you need to stop (even though we just stopped minutes before) or telling you each time they spotted a bench up ahead. Now don't get me wrong, these were all said in the kindliest of ways and I appreciated everyone's help and understanding. The Flirt even offered to carry my camera bag for me, which I refused but she took it anyway. The altitude was affecting me (slight headache coming on and felt my legs turning to mush) I just had to keep telling my feet to put one in front of the other. Along the trail they have markers that tell you have far you've come. They were real motivators especially that 3/4th marker. Several group members took turns to hike with me at the tail end while others pushed on ahead where they would wait for me to catch up. One guy I think got a little frustrated with me and even though I told him to go on ahead he wouldn't he just kept pushing me to go on. That was both great and annoying, but I made it to the top.
We rested for a few minutes until our tour started. The caves were pretty cool. The buff jokester razzed our tour guide the whole time.
There was a lot of ducking and sucking in to get around some big rocks but it was cool. Then we went back down the mountain which was much easier than going up and went very fast, though I was concentrating very hard on how to walk to not put too much strain on my knees and ankles.
We went and got some free pizza from a joint which The Voice of Reason designed. We scarfed that down in no time. Even us girls kept up with the boys no problem. We were so hungry. Then back to Salt Lake and a nap.
I am glad I was able to do it. I got some good footage and pictures too. I don't that I will ever do it again but we'll see.
8 comments:
Great pictures. Great description of your pain. I can truly sympathize since I'm always out of breath and I hate people to wait for me. I'm glad you made it though. Did you do this today of Saturday? Just wondering if the muscle soreness has set in yet.
That rock look just like a tooth.
I've always disliked the going down more than the going up. It uses muscles that are hardly ever used, like the front of the thighs.
Don't feel bad Cassie, because I'm the same way. I'm always at the end and always out of breath. I just backed out of a cave tour this weekend (Whiterocks cave) because I don't think I'll be able to make it to the cave. The hike is actually a 3 mile climb with a rise in elevation of 1800 feet. It really is vertical. It doesn't help that I have blisters from fire school and an ankle that has been giving me problems (but those are just excuses, because I even if those weren't a problem I wouldn't be able to make it). I used Wayne and Susan's visit and my High School Reunion as the reasons I couldn't go; both very good reasons that I'm happy to be able to use.
Every time I hike my favorite hike (Navajo Loop at Bryce Canyon) I get looks from people like, "I can't believe you haven't killed over!" or "I bet she's about to have a heart attack". I don't let them bother me any more. I enjoy hiking, even though I'm overweight and completely out of shape. Fortunately, I take my time and stop a lot and my friends don't mind. In fact, I think it gives them a chance to stop without looking like they need to. :)
Those are good pictures but they aren't mine. I got them off a website.
I don't mind some hikes, because I do love being in nature and seeing new things but I can't take the too rigorous ones.
Another irritating thing about being the last one is that everyone gets to a stopping point first and is able to spend a lot of time admiring the view and then by the time I get there they are ready to move on. I barely get a chance to look after I've sufficiently catch my breath.
Whatever, Julie. I completely confess that I need to stop. :) Actually, on a recent hike, I was taking my sweet time and going so slow. Why is it that we are all bothered that people wait for us? I admit that it bugs me. I supposed it's because I feel like I'm a hindrance when that happens.
One experience I had that was funny was that someone volunteered to take my pack, thinking it would help. Actually, no, I'm just really slow. I have a hard time going uphill. That's it. They realized it later. I let them have the pack anyway because I think it made them feel good. Suckers!
Now, me, I identify with the buff jokester. JK.
I love Timpanogos Cave, a fond fond memory from my boyhood. It was even hard then, when I was tough and skinny.
Myke, when did you quit being tough and skinny?
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