Total Distance: Approximately 9 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1400 ft.
Time: 7:15 pm - Midnight
Weather: Clear skies and a cool evening.
So this was the 104th weekend hike, marking 2 years worth of weekends spent at least day hiking somewhere. Every 2 years I am required to be re-certified in Wilderness First Aid by my school. The last time I took the course was the weekend of Aug. 28th and 29th in 2010. The course runs from 8 am to 5 pm, both days. Usually longer because I raise my hand and talk, probably too much. Two years ago, the thought of a hike before or after class would never have occurred to me. Months ago I was planning this week, knowing the hike would have to happen between the hours of 5 pm and 8am. It was obvious that it needed to be close, relatively short, but spectacular too. Green Lake immediately came to mind. Carbon river road in Mount Rainier is close, this hike is 10 miles (but 6 on an old road), and the Carbon River is a special place for me.
I sent out a big invite to all the participants of the course and friends. Thankfully, I had three people say yes (two of them I had never hiked with before). We didn't get to the trailhead until 7 pm. We had to run around after class situating cars, pick one person up, and get gas. It was a beautiful evening, and as we walked the first 3 miles through the old growth forest of the Carbon River valley, it got dark quickly. About 70 minutes later, we were at the trailhead (2 miles from Ipsut and the trailhead for the Carbon Glacier). We took off up the 1400 feet and 1.8 miles to the lake. It was headlamp time after a good 20 minutes of night hiking. We pushed up at a good clip and were at the lake by 9:06 pm. We enjoyed a good break with some snacks. We got some water and treated it, and began the walk down close to 9:45 pm. We were at the car by midnight. The hike was really nice. We laughed and had great talks. The moon was at half and would reveal itself in brief, mysterious stints. I decided not to wear my boots. My feet felt great, and my ankles held up.
I made it home around 1:30am and thought about where I was 2 years ago. Life was pretty rough that week. I was lost. I claimed a love of the woods but only had a handful of experience as a hiker. I started hiking on the weekends to prove to myself I had the capacity for big love and big commitments. I remember thinking how I had to show everyone I knew or would come to know that this is what I was up to. Then a year went by. I distinctly remember the evening a year later on my hike around Mt. Hood. Creighton and I were sitting fighting bugs and sore feet (I was, you know Creighton doesn't get sore feet). I remember sitting and watching the sky as the light faded in the west. I remember the tears that welled up behind my eyes as the milestone set in. And I remember countless other memories of that first year and of this past one. Some are preserved in this blog and others only in my mind. As I reflect on last's nights hike, and all the others before, I can bring that same emotion up but its different. This last year really stretched and grew my commitment. This year it got hard, it got inconvenient, it got uncomfortable. A big commitment is not always easy, it is not always convenient, it is not always comfortable. I guess that's why it's a commitment. For about 100 weeks, I thought the commitment was to hiking, but during my time in the Winds I started thinking about other commitments to make to myself. I did not feel the need to blog or recruit the world in hearing these. I have made commitments to aspects of my exercise, fitness, and training. It all fits in what I think the original was all about, but I wasn't able to see it until now. I made a commitment to my own life. To live life in a way that makes me at my best in all areas with a fierce dedication. I will still blog about my hikes on here because I like the preservation of memories. I will continue to list the week's number as long as there is a consecutive streak to mention. I have no idea when the streak will stop, but when it does it will be on my terms and not out of some obligation I make to the internet.
Picture:
Forgot to charge camera.
Google Map
No comments:
Post a Comment