There is something wonderful about a good nights sleep. It was so quiet last night. Not an owl hooting, nor an elk buggling. Or maybe there was but I was so sound asleep, that I never heard a thing.
Day two of hiking solo and month three of being on trail! I hadn’t even considered it until I started writing tonight. I could have done all sorts of celebrating on the tops of peaks today. But I was joyful to get over them without any mishaps.
Today I spent the vast amount of time above 11000’, more-so than any previous day. My camp was pretty close to that, but once I made my right turn to Vasquez Peak, it was nothing but sucking air and breathing hard. Oh how I love being above tree line, just me and the Pikas.
Every time I hit a boulder field, I could hear them chirping. Some chirp warning the others that a giant is coming. Others just like to chirp perched on the highest rock, singing a song. A few even poised for me, like they were going to be made famous! They are the cutest of the smallest creatures that I run across. And they like elevation. Nothing below 11,000’ will do. I guess we have that in common.
The clouds were overhead, not sure if they wanted to unload or me, or just tease me from above. Knowing that the chance of rain was eminent, I decided to hike a bit faster and with more purpose. What I didn’t know was that part of my climb today involved a rock scramble. Oh joy! Well if the teeny tiny pika can do it, so can I. It was precarious, to say the least, but it was heading me in the right direction. Once atop of the rock, then I could feel my heart pounding!
The next climb was over Vasquez Peak which lucky for me, was a nice groomed trail that only skirted the peak. No ledges, no scrambles, no loose rocks, just a climb to 12,600’ and down. On my way off the cliff, I saw a couple hiking ahead of me. With the weather as it is, I was quite surprised. We were the only ones out here. But once I met them, I knew they were as bat-crazy as me!
Hugh and Magda are locals from Denver. Hugh is 80yo and Magda is 79yo. They drive to the mountains every week, and take no notice if the weather is inclement. “If we worried about the rain, we would never be in the mountains!” As I was talking with them, I found out that Magdalene is from Barcelona, and she is a true alpinist. Not just any mountaineer but one of the first females to climb over 8000 meters. In February 1989, Magda and another gal summited Cho Oyu, in the Himalayas between Tibet and Nepal. I truly me a legend! What a day I had.
After bidding farewell to Hugh and Magda, I decided to take the Silverthorne Alternate. Honestly, I had all intentions of going this route, and with the clouds looming overhead, it was solidified. There was a huge drop in altitude, which really frustrates me because I know, what goes down, goes right back up!
The roadwalk was close to three miles, all switchbacks and bloody steep! Once I reached the meadow, the trail returned and I started southbound once again. I knew it had to climb being I lost 2500’ in elevation. Yet it was gentle for the remainder of my day. I ran into two day hikers who were out for a ten mile stroll. These locals are hearty! They mentioned a nice campsite a couple of miles down trail. Yep, it’s pretty close to perfect. Up on a knoll, protected by giant firs and fairly flat. I think I’ll just stay put and get ready for my grueling climb out of here tomorrow. But tonight will be a long restful evening, knowing that our mighty and wonderful God has provided all that I need in this beautiful place which He created.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
