Day 2: The Supidest Idea I've Ever Had

I knew the day held a pretty steep stretch of trail, and I needed to get over it before the day got too late. What I didn't realize was exactly how steep that stretch of trail was. Over 3/4 of a trail mile I gained 800 feet. For those of you following along at home, that works out to be slightly more than a 20% grade. I feel I can call that steep.

As I trudged up the side of the mountain, slowly putting one foot in front of the other, resisting the urge to sit down and rest, I cursed myself for this whole trip being the stupidest idea I had ever had. When I was sure I couldn't continue on, I found a place to pause—just long enough to reset, I told myself. I set my pack on a rock, still strapped to my back. Then, I slid my butt up on the rock, leaning against the pack resting. Only then did I look around.

The fog was thick just away from where I was, so I snapped this picture down mountain. I don't think it does justice to the incline, but, there you have it—the worst switchbacks I've ever had the privilege of swearing at.

As I rested the fog parted and I watched a storm blow in. And, then, just as rapidly, blow out. The whole while, I stared at this view (which helped to reset my resentment of the mountain I just climbed). I'm really grateful that at the moment of my deepest exhaustion I didn't have to suddenly find shelter at the top of a mountain during what would have likely been an electrical storm.