Double Bow
New member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2005
- Messages
- 1,172
- Reaction score
- 219
11 years and 11 months after my first 4K, the day had arrived when it would be finished. After having never done more than 13 in a season, I would be climbing my 15th of the season. Unfortunately, due to the short notice that I had to give people and the fact that it was the end of a holiday weekend, most of the folks who wanted to join me were unable to. With last minute cancelations, I only knew for sure that Shammie would be there for certain but, that was enough. I wasn't doing this for anyone else but myself and I was only doing it to complete a goal I set for myself.
I had asked if folks could join us that they meet us at the Signal Ridge trailhead at 8am. We left the campground in what would have been time enough to get there but, we were delayed because while driving along Rt 2 we saw a female and then a male moose! We pulled over and took a picture and watched them for a little bit. Farther up, we saw another one! Finally on 302, Shammie saw a young bear!! It was definately going to be a day to remember.
We got to the trailhead around 8:15ish to find jmegillion149 and Eric Savage waiting for us. I knew that jme was a strong possibility to be there but I didn't think Eric would make it. What a nice surprise! What was really nice too was the fact that jme had thought about not hiking up due to a knee that was bothering him but, he decided to join us anyway. It felt really good that they had changed plans and/or were working though something to be with me on this hike. It really meant a lot to me.
The hike up was great and we had a wonderful time chatting about everything. The views from Signal Ridge were amazing! When we reached the summit Eric pointed out and named every peak we could see. The VFTT were everything I could have hoped that they'd be. We toasted with Double Bag and took all the pictures that everyone wanted and chatted with other folks at the summit before heading down and going to the Margarita Grill for dinner. When we got down to the cars, I found that someone had used their finger and written "VFTT" in the dust on my back window near my Views sticker. Whoever did that, thank you. It made me feel even more supported.
What will I remember most about this day? Well, sure, the amazing views but, more than that the comrodery among hikers and spirit accomplishment that others wanted to share with me. It was humbling that they wanted to be there with me for it.
How do I feel now that it's done? Happy about the accomplishment, sad that the quest is over, a sense of freedom that I'm no longer pushing myself to get certain peaks done by a certain date, and the desire to help my friends accomplish thier goals (hiking and non).
Someone asked me if I'm going to stop hiking now. Absolutely not! I am working on other lists and plan to revisit the 48 time and time again (some I've already done 3 times) but, there is not the same drive to hike certain peaks just because they are on a list. That focus is a thing of the past for me. This change probably happened on the Bonds for me but, finishing the 48 cemented it. I have certain hikes planned for the future but, I figure that now I'll be visiting a lot more peaks that aren't on lists or ones that I've really enjoyed in the past.
Thank you to everyone I've hiked with or just talked about hiking with. You have made the experience richer.
I had asked if folks could join us that they meet us at the Signal Ridge trailhead at 8am. We left the campground in what would have been time enough to get there but, we were delayed because while driving along Rt 2 we saw a female and then a male moose! We pulled over and took a picture and watched them for a little bit. Farther up, we saw another one! Finally on 302, Shammie saw a young bear!! It was definately going to be a day to remember.
We got to the trailhead around 8:15ish to find jmegillion149 and Eric Savage waiting for us. I knew that jme was a strong possibility to be there but I didn't think Eric would make it. What a nice surprise! What was really nice too was the fact that jme had thought about not hiking up due to a knee that was bothering him but, he decided to join us anyway. It felt really good that they had changed plans and/or were working though something to be with me on this hike. It really meant a lot to me.
The hike up was great and we had a wonderful time chatting about everything. The views from Signal Ridge were amazing! When we reached the summit Eric pointed out and named every peak we could see. The VFTT were everything I could have hoped that they'd be. We toasted with Double Bag and took all the pictures that everyone wanted and chatted with other folks at the summit before heading down and going to the Margarita Grill for dinner. When we got down to the cars, I found that someone had used their finger and written "VFTT" in the dust on my back window near my Views sticker. Whoever did that, thank you. It made me feel even more supported.
What will I remember most about this day? Well, sure, the amazing views but, more than that the comrodery among hikers and spirit accomplishment that others wanted to share with me. It was humbling that they wanted to be there with me for it.
How do I feel now that it's done? Happy about the accomplishment, sad that the quest is over, a sense of freedom that I'm no longer pushing myself to get certain peaks done by a certain date, and the desire to help my friends accomplish thier goals (hiking and non).
Someone asked me if I'm going to stop hiking now. Absolutely not! I am working on other lists and plan to revisit the 48 time and time again (some I've already done 3 times) but, there is not the same drive to hike certain peaks just because they are on a list. That focus is a thing of the past for me. This change probably happened on the Bonds for me but, finishing the 48 cemented it. I have certain hikes planned for the future but, I figure that now I'll be visiting a lot more peaks that aren't on lists or ones that I've really enjoyed in the past.
Thank you to everyone I've hiked with or just talked about hiking with. You have made the experience richer.
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