I woke up just before the alarm and went to use the bathroom, resulting in it ringing while I was unable to reach it. So, it was time to get up and I did. I got to work making my breakfast, a hearty one of corned beef hash and oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts. I wanted something that would help power me up the mountain for the day’s hike.
After eating my hearty breakfast, I got dressed in the hiking clothes that I’d laid out the day before. Since the weather was a bit chilly, I added a short sleeved t-shirt to wear under the long sleeve shirt of Ambrose’s that I’ve been wearing on these hikes. I also put on my fleece for extra warmth. Then it was off to the trailhead with me.
When I got there, I wanted to take a nap in the car. I was just so sleepy. But part of this training is to push through when I’m tired and don’t want to hike. When I’m out backpacking, three days into a five day trip, being sleepy can’t be an excuse for not hiking. I pushed through, and while my miles were very slow, I got them done.
Someone left a painted rock on a log. It was a bright blue, with an otter holding a shell depicted on it. Very cute, and it brought a smile to my face. After my second break, I heard the sound of motors down the valley. I quickly emptied my bladder and then hiked on a bit so I wouldn’t be so obviously by the wet spot in the trail. The first rider paused to tell me there were four more to come. Most of them slowed to tell me how many left; it’s the etiquette. After the last one, I continued hiking, wondering if they would be going the same direction I was.
Not too long after, my question was answered as I heard the motors again and saw the bikes, now tiny in the distance, making their way up the very trail I intended to hike. I didn’t see that group again though.
Today, I had decided to do the other peak, which made for a longer hike, but I didn’t have to go off trail at all. My alarm rang for a break as I was making my way up the last stretch to the next junction, and I decided to get there rather than break at the side of the trail. There would be a lot more room up there in case more motorbikes appeared.
It was a good thing I did that, too, because no sooner had I sat down for my break when a few bikes pulled up. Then more. And more. I think there might have been two dozen all told, each new group giving me a look. Some of them talked to me, asking where I’d started from, and commenting that I was making good time. One guy kept apologizing for disturbing my peace; he seemed to be the leader of the group. I watched them gather and then leave again as I ate my Walking Tamale snack and drank my water. Usually, I pee when I take a break, but they were still there when I was ready to leave, so I skipped that step.
The way to the other peak had a bit of snow still covering it. It looked a lot like when Ambrose and I had hiked it together last year, when we spent the night out on a side trail and then hiked up to the peak with our backpacks and had a hot lunch just below the high point. I went around the snow and when I got to the peak and looked at the trail register I saw that we had, in fact, hiked this peak on June 15th last year. No wonder the snow looked pretty much the same!
I took some time to dig a hole up there. I had quite a view while doing my business. I heard motors again, but I didn’t think they’d come up my way with the snow on the road. I could see them, I think it was the large group, heading off in another direction. I doubt they would have been able to see me, but they certainly wouldn’t have been able to see what I was doing – not without stopping and taking out some binoculars.
I didn’t linger at the peak. I headed down on the snowy sections I’d avoided on the way up. I wanted to slide. But first I had to get to a place with a steep enough angle. On my way to that, I saw prints in the snow. I’m pretty sure they were from a small bear, from the size and shape. They were partly melted, which made identification a little difficult, but also reassured me that there wasn’t a bear nearby.
I got a few good slides in before my butt and legs were so cold they hurt, and then a few more at the next snowy section closer to the junction. It felt good on my legs, actually, soothing them from the hard work I’d put them through on the way up.
I saw no more motorbikes on my way down, nor any other people. Just lots of birds and butterflies. I thought a lot about Ambrose on the hike down, and started a song. It was a really good hike, even though it was very hard. My body is feeling the work, and I ended up not doing a mowing section today.
I got home around 3 and after taking a shower and eating, it was almost 4:30. The transfer station closes at 5, so I had to hightail it to make it before they closed for the week. I made it, but I didn’t end up going shopping because my bladder was too full to stop. I’ll have to go shopping Monday instead.
I did make time to do my next set of Shoulders & Arms level 2 exercise sets, as Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals began. I’m disappointed in the outcome of that game, but maybe the Oilers will come back in Game 6.
I want to get at least two mowing sessions in tomorrow. And a walk. Maybe some rock picking, definitely some cleaning in anticipation of my parents visiting next week.
