A week ago Monday, M took the day off to hike a mountain with her sister (Aunt R). The goal was to climb Mount Lady Washington--pictured behind R to the right. (Long's Peak--the 14,000 peak of the park is to the left). Since they actually didn't start the hike until after 9 am, they were racing the storm clouds all day--trying to get up and back below treeline before the afternoon thunderstorms started (and day-cares closed!).
M with the two mountains behind her. M woke up Monday morning with a sore throat but decided to go on with the hike anyhow. She did fine on the trail and below treeline. But once she got above treeline, she started slowing down.
M with the two mountains behind her. M woke up Monday morning with a sore throat but decided to go on with the hike anyhow. She did fine on the trail and below treeline. But once she got above treeline, she started slowing down.
Mount Lady Washington. This is where M and Aunt R went off trail and went straight up to the top. This is also where M started getting dizzy and nauseous. It took more than an hour to climb and scramble up the rocks, stopping every few rocks to take a break. After veering to the right near the top to get over the ridge, the storm clouds that were fast approaching scared M and R into turning around--and the fact that it was already 1 pm. They almost made it to the top, but decided safety was better than summit-ting, especially with how M was feeling.
Another glance back at Long's and Mount Lady Washington on the hike down. Aunt R thinks they made it to the ridge at the top right--so close to the top!
A view of Long's and Mt. Meeker overlooking Chasm Lake.
Taking a nature break!!
Taking a nature break!!
By the creek just below treeline and 2.5 miles from the trailhead on the trip back down.
A scenic water break!
Even though M and Aunt R didn't quite make it to the top and actually weren't rained onto until just before the trailhead, they both decided turning around was the best thing they did. Especially since the next day M was diagnosed with strep throat (along with my ear infection and C's strep). In addition, the blisters that M got within the first few miles still haven't quite healed up over a week later!
You might think it wasn't the best hike ever, but really it was quite good. It was a good 7 hours of bonding time and enjoying God's beautiful creation. Again even though the top wasn't met, the views on the climb up and down were still well worth the effort!
Thanks for the adventure R.
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