It's been about a month since I climbed the South Sister in Bend, Oregon. But I am still dreaming about it. For those of you who read my blog, you know that I had a huge disappointment when I got in my own head at Mount Adams a few months ago. It was a really tough thing for me, and I thought maybe I was not cut out to be on big mountains. Instead of dwelling on this thought, I decided I needed to step my game up and train harder. I could not let a failure define me.
The gym has become more of a place where I go to ensure that I am healthy and strong for my dreams. I HATE working out my arms and back, but this has become a huge focus for my training, especially when it comes to a 20-30 pound pack. I take weight everywhere I go, and it isn't always my favorite, but I feel much stronger every time. I also am making it a priority to be outside at least twice a week. I know, you are all wondering how I do this. I had the corporate job worked 50-60 hours a week, and now I wonder why I ever did that.
Happiness is not about all the money you make, but about doing what your heart loves. My heart loves being outside and challenging myself. I would rather be able to barely pay my bills than live a life where I cannot follow my passions.
For those of you interested, the South Sister is awesome. But it is also a total mind f&%. She goes by the name Charity, and is the third highest mountain in Oregon next to Mount Hood and Jefferson. Driving into Bend, you see the Sisters sitting pretty and you start to get the butterflies. There is something about looking at a mountain and knowing you will be climbing it that really gets you excited. We got a little bit later start than we wanted, but I didn't intend it to take us almost 6 hours to get to Bend, Oregon. Oh well, we made it, and set out on our adventure.
You start the hike at the Devil's Lake Campground. This campground is so gorgeous! Make sure you stay here. The trail is gentle and you spend a lot of time in the woods the first few miles. The trail then opens up to peek-a-boo views of Moraine Lake, there were lots of campers who found their way down to the lake on this hot day. This is also a great place to soak in some sun and have a quick bite, because the trail is going to start kicking your butt shortly. After leaving Moraine Lake, life gets real, you start your steady gain through a little wooded area. The wooded area is short lived and you find yourself starting your first of many approaches.
This is where you think you see your summit. Don't get too excited, because this is just your first false summit. The snow was soft enough that I was able to kick steps in with my mountaineering boots. The differences where obvious to me when it came to this climb, as compared to Mount Adams. I felt strong, not once did I feel like my body was too tried. No thoughts of "I can't do this" came to my mind. This is what I was training for, I am strong and can do anything.
There was one spot on the trek that made me a little scared, there was a stretch of ice that you had to cross over that was a 5,000 plus drop. An Ice Axe would not save you if you fell, a few months ago, this would have stopped me in my tracks. But what the hell, YOLO. After you climb up this area, to what you think will be the summit (and you should never think anything is the summit), you get to Tear Drop Pond. Quite a fitting name for a pond that takes you over your first false summit.
We pushed on-ward and up-ward. Up steep snow and ice to make it to what we thought would finally be the summit. It was comical to us at this point to get to the "top" only to be disappointed once again. We were in what I would refer to as the crater rim. To get to the actual summit, you get to go up a scree field and inch on over.
Charity is a bitch. For lack of better terms. But I love her, I loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back. The day was perfect, the conditions were perfect, and life, well, I cannot complain. Life isn't about the daily commutes and day to day "work". It's about these moments, the moments you can never explain and never experience twice. The people you meet on these trails are amazing and you can make a best friend just from a single climb.
I want to also give a quick shout out to the gentleman who was nice enough to find my Patagonia jacket and return it to me. I love that Nano Puff and plan on making a lot more memories with it. So thank you for making that possible.
Thank you South Sister, for reminding me that I am strong and can do anything I put my mind and heart too.
Mount Adams, I am coming for you.
Until the next adventure.
