What Now?

Well I went on a few hikes over the last time I’ve blogged. A couple with a really cool friend Bill. Don’t judge a smoker by his habits, this dude held up with the hike. We once did Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park, and the following week we did Cedar Breaks. I’ve been trying to get my rock climbing strength back so when I depart back to SLC, I can keep up with my fellow climbers. I bought a used rope for 50 bucks, and now all I have to buy is quick-draws. Lead climbing is scary! Another hike I’ve done recently was a small water hike called The Kanarraville Falls. It was pretty gnarl. I went on a hike with two buddies in the Festival, Becky Merold and Amber Scott. Approaching the first waterfall we saw a log placed along the side of the fall with a gerry rigged metal ladder and ropes on the side of the rock. It was pretty scary climbing up to the top of that fall. But further down the stream we came to a natural water slide. The algae made it slippery for my booty to slid down to the pool of cold water. As we came to the 2nd water fall the log/ladder was so slippery I couldn’t get up. I slipped and put a good slice in my right knee. My mom has a saying, “It’s not a good summer unless you have scares to prove it.” I guess I’m having a gnarly summer. I would  have put pictures up, but when I went to take my camera out, I found the LCD screen broken.

Moonlight Hike

Last night was a full moon. Is there any better time to go on a hike at night when the entire trail is lit with moon shine. I had decided to go on this hike by myself, but when I had mentioned it to a bunch of people I work with, they thought it was a good idea, so I invited them to come along. It was Patrick, Amber Scott, Jessie, and Bradley. The location was Cedar Breaks, just 21 miles from Cedar City; the little town I’m working in for the Utah Shakespearean Festival. We loaded my truck around 12:45 am and headed up the hill to the National Park. On the drive we passed by 2 deers in the middle of the road, and an entire flock of them just right outside the main entrance. We parked at the visitor center and hit the main trail to The Perspective View. Along the way there were bats flying over us, we knew this by their clicking and quick silhouette’s flying overhead. It was a mile out, and we only used our flash lights for a couple small patches where the trees blocked the moonlight. The view was gorgeous. I don’t have a picture of it because the capture time on my camera couldn’t pick up any light, let alone a nice picture of what I saw. We stared at the giant hole of Cedar Breaks for about 20 minutes, and had our own personal time reflecting on life. After we were finished we had to hike back up the hill and make it back to my truck. Time was about 2:45 am by the time we made it back to the apartments. I had mentioned hiking to Angels Landing the next time the moon is Full. Let’s see how many people will actually do it with me.

Grand Teton National Park

A weekend away from work was well worth the efforts and money spent. I drove from Cedar City to Salt Lake City on July 10, 2008. Friday Pitt and I drove up to Logan, UT to pick up his buddy. Then set off to the Grand Teton National Park where we met up with Pitt’s brother and camped out at a campsite not too far from the trail head where we would start our ascent to the top of the Middle Teton. Pitt, Jackson, Duke, and myself left our campsite at 5:30am and arrived at the trail head around 6am. We gathered our day packs. I drank a protein shake to boost up my strength and to wake up. The first 4 miles weren’t too bad. Just switchbacks and lots of soft dirt.

Lake Something?

Then the next two miles going up was a combination of loose rocks, big boulders, and little patches of snow. Once we got to the lip of the mountain we had to pull out our ice axes and have a quick snack. By then we were at 10,000 feet in elevation. The air is thinner, and we just naturally moved a lot slower up the mountain. Of course we rested once we got to the saddle.

Pitt and Jackson

The view was spectacular of a half frozen lake. The color of the water was such a bright see through blue with icing covering the reflections of the clear sky. What a view! The wind was chilly again at 11,000 feet so I put on my fleece pull over and start the next portion. It consisted of slipping rocks/boulders and snow packed climbing. It was hard but once we reached the top, it was well worth.

Highest Climb I’ve done thus far

    It’s when you’re away from the horns of cars, city congestion’s, and all your life’s problems, is when you see such amazing land formations. The wind blows and whispers good karma through your bones and allows you to breathe normal again. A recharge of life if one could describe it. The breathe of nature is the reminder that God is watching us and we still have something to live for.