So I’ve been listening to podcasts on the National Parks and wilderness type adventures lately, my favorite is Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast, and it has made me realize that over the years I’ve taken several unnecessary risks while enjoying the great outdoors. Surprisingly, none of them involve rock climbing, surfing, or even spelunking:
Not carrying bear spray in bear country. This is probably the biggest risk on my list. I’ve hiked in places like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and others known to have not just bears but Grizzly Bears in them. Though I think I make enough noise to alert any animals that I’m around the reality is that there are some places you just want to be prepared for the absolute worst. If there are bear warnings in the parking lot (Sequoia National Park) it’s probably worth having some bear spray very handy. Especially on a back country trail!
Going into the woods alone without telling anyone where I am headed. Traveling alone gives you an amazing amount of freedom. You go where you want, when you want, and don’t have to negotiate anything with other people. However, it also means that if something happens – sprain, fall, bear attack, etc. – you are completely on your own as well remember you can’t rely on cell coverage in the deep woods or mountain tops. Especially if you are on a back country trail and no one knows you are there. In general I’m pretty good about giving people an idea of the area I’ll be in but rarely specifics. A quick text to a loved one at least before hitting the trailhead is always a good idea. If you don’t have cell service there may be a sign in or Ranger’s Station you can check with before venturing out. Don’t forget to let someone know that you’re back, too.
Not taking a back pack with some essentials. If something does happen in the woods it’s likely that you may have to hunker down for longer than expected before help arrives. Even if only a few hours having some food, water, rain gear, warm clothes (especially in the mountains) and a first aid kit could all be life savers.
And here’s a bonus risk I’ve taken that maybe should be number one: not knowing my exact route before hiking or, in the case that I’m thinking of, while cross country skiing. Let’s just say that my brother and I spent what felt like a couple hours after dark skiing around a state recreation area because we took a wrong turn and couldn’t find where we thought we parked our car!
That’s it – the three things I know that I’ve been guilty of and the top three things that I’ll try never to do again. The great outdoors is a wonderful place to go and explore, but let’s all be safe out there.
What are the biggest risks that you have taken while hiking?
All photos by David P. Wahr unless otherwise noted in which case the original artist retains all rights. Otherwise photos and words @copyright by David P. Wahr
In lieu of a blog post this week I’m trying something different – a YouTube video! It’s on my new channel and is a pretty basic attempt to record a walk on a short hiking trail near my home. I’m hoping that they become more interesting as I become more proficient in editing and such with the goal of adding a new visual element to my Journeys as things open up once we are post-COVID.
The video is located here and last a little over 10 minutes. For those interested, it was filmed on a Galaxy S10 and edited with MS Photos. So nothing fancy. But hey, I’m just starting out.
I’ve learned a lot on this one video. For example: did you know it takes an incredible amount of time to load a video up to YouTube? Nearly 2 hours for a 10 minute adventure. I can’t imagine how long my video of my upcoming trip to Egypt will take.
Oh yeah, did I tell you I’m going to Egypt in the fall? Now that will be an adventure and a journey.
Onward!
This tree didn’t make the video – but it should have!
All photos by David P. Wahr unless otherwise noted in which case the original artist retains all rights. Otherwise photos and words @copyright by David P. Wahr
Like John Muir I occasionally hear the call of the mountains. There is something both comforting and awe-inspiring about these lands that seem to be trying to touch the sky. Who hasn’t thrilled at the site of the Grand Tetons rising above the plains of Wyoming? Dreamed at least once of climbing Everest or at least of owning a mountain cabin in the woods somewhere? As a result, I’ve been to a few in both the United States and Canada (I’m presuming that Mont-Royal in Montreal counts) and have attempted to climb some as well. Though it seems that my climbing limit is somewhere around 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) and the only way I’ve gotten above that elevation is by car, Mt. Evans and Pike’s Peak in Colorado, I still enjoy the attempt.
I also find that if you are open to it you may encounter a new friend or two along the way. Hikers in general seem to be a friendly and helpful group. I think that they share the common knowledge that out in the woods we are all to some degree strangers in a strange land. If we don’t help each other “out there” there is a real chance that someone may not make it back to the comfort of their living room that night.
Here are a few of my favorite mountain hikes from coast to coast. Including a couple where I did not make it to the summit. We’ll start with the “urban” climbs:
The view straight down from Diamond Head. Photo by David P. Wahr
Diamond Head, 761′ (232m): located in Honolulu, Hawaii this ancient volcano crater may not technically be a mountain. However, it’s the only one I’ve climbed where I had to access it by going through a tunnel in the crater wall. Again, it’s another urban hill with stairs. There’s 165 of them in total both 99 steps straight up and another 76 from a circular staircase. The tropical heat can make this short climb deceptively difficult. Your reward is a stunning view of Honolulu, the Pacific, and some WWII era “pillboxes” and fortifications at the top.
A few of the stairs at Mont-Royal. Photo by David P. Wahr
Mont-Royal, 764′ (233m): located in the heart of Montreal, Quebec it is the mountain from which the city takes it’s name. It’s small by most mountaineering standards and even has a stairway leading to the top, but it’s worth the climb to see the views of the city. Don’t feel like climbing 550 steps? Don’t worry, you can drive to the top. Bonus, you’ll have plenty of time to see all of Montreal after your short hike!
Me after a refreshing hike up Stone Mountain!
Stone Mountain, 1,686′ (514m), the Atlanta metro area’s largest monument and tourist attraction to the Confederacy (what is this fascination people have with carving things into the faces of mountains? See also Mount Rushmore). Regardless of your feelings about the carving the park is pleasant enough and there are plenty of things for a family to do including a tram to the top. However, I chose to take the trail up the backside of the dome. Slippery when wet, you are climbing a large granite stone after all, it’s a gentle trail with a gain of about 700′ (213m) in elevation.
Camelback Mountain, 2,707′ (825m), when I first started going to Phoenix on a regular basis about 30 years ago I swear that this park was on the edge of the city. Now it’s surrounded by residential housing. Technically another short hike but it’s also a demanding one. Not only because of the desert heat but because there are sections that require some actual rock climbing. No gear needed, but you will be using arms and legs to scale the side of the camel’s “hump” at least from the Echo Canyon side. I don’t know if I would have made it except for the urging of a young woman (my “angel”) who took pity on the old man who looked so cute trying to climb to the peak like he was a real person. You’ll want to have plenty of water and the rangers are pretty serious about making sure that you know you need to be off the peak by sunset!
Me and my “angel” – proof that she was not a mirage. The shadow of Camelback looms large over the Phoenix metro area. Photos by David P. Wahr
Mount Monadnock, 3,165′ (965m), is located in southern New Hampshire and the main reason I visited it was because I had played the Narrator in a production of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town in which this mountain is mentioned. Another relatively easy climb but a rocky one if I recall correctly. The mountain is surrounded by a state park and is isolated on the plain. In fact, the name comes from the Abenaki Native Americans word for isolated hill.
Blue Mountain Fire Tower circa 1993. A scary climb then for sure. Photo by David P. Wahr
Blue Mountain, 3,750′ (1,143m) is a more serious climb. Located in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, where the chairs come from, it is easy by mountain climbing standards in the sense that this is a hike not a technical climb I found it a little challenging when I climbed it nearly 30 years ago. There is a abandoned fire observation platform at the top which appears to have been repaired some since I visited.
Mount Pisgah, 5,721′ (1,744m), located in North Carolina outside of Asheville, this mountain is in the Appalachian Mountains and accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is about 2.6 miles (4.2km) roundtrip and has an elevation gain of only 750′ (229m). It’s rated as ‘moderate’ difficulty by most sites but this is another one that I found more difficult than it looked. It had been raining earlier in the day and the trail was very slick, a real issue on the steeper portions. This is another trail where I found an “angel” who kept an eye on the novice who seemed to be breathing too hard for comfort. I’m sure that he would have gotten up and back a whole lot faster if he hadn’t been keeping an eye on me. The view from the top is great – just ignore the broadcasting antennas and equipment behind you.
Fresh as a daisy at the summit of Mount Pigsah!
Brad, the mysterious hiker who made sure I got back down safely.
Photos by David P. Wahr
Sign post ahead. Next stop, the quiet zone. Photo by David P. Wahr
North Chilco Peak, 5,635′ (1,718m), located in the Idaho’s panhandle this climb was a more true wilderness experience for me. I only encountered two other people on the trail who were mountain biking. How they got to the summit, the final approach was through a boulder field, on bikes I’ll never know. But they said they did so who am I to argue. The view and silence were both spectacular! An easy climb with multiple switch backs and a well maintained trail. The trail is about 4 miles (6.4km) round trip and the elevation gain is nearly 1,500′ (457m).
At the Keyhole in 1988. I’m in the middle, my sister on the right and my brother-in-law’s friend on the left. Photo by Rodney D. Blanchard
It’s no coincidence that the peaks I’ve failed to summit are in the Rocky Mountains. Despite the best efforts of my cousin and his daughter, both avid outdoors enthusiast and climbers, I only made it to about 13,000′ (3,962m) on Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert which summits at 14,400′ (4,389m). The part of the mountain I climbed wasn’t difficult for most people who were used to the relatively thin air and , let’s face it, in better shape than I was. Thin air at least by this Michigan boy’s standards. The trailhead is at an elevation almost twice as high as any random mountain out East for gosh sakes! The trail was well maintained though and passed through lush forests before going above timberline. I may not have made it to the summit – which is a shame because I was actually fairly close based on the map. But, every foot at that altitude for me was felt about the same as trying to travel a half-mile. I was moving slow to say the least. I found the view so wonderful though that I was content to just sit and stare into space while my hiking companions went on ahead. At least the day was clear and calm.
I’m also sorry to say that I was never able to summit Longs Peak (14,259′ – 4,346m) in Rocky Mountain National Park. Realistically, I know that this goal is now out of reach for me. It is a climb which could require some climbing equipment, depending on conditions, and frankly my sense of balance probably isn’t up to crossing the “ledges” safely. I did make it to the Keyhole (13,200′ – 4,023m) in my youth and I’ll always savor that memory.
There have been other mountains and trails, of course, but these are the ones I remember best. What’s your favorite climb? I’d love to hear about it!
A little late on my update for last month – but it’s been a busy week so this update will flow into the first part of November as well:
Crohn’s Update: things are going very well with my Crohn’s. I’ve had only one or two days where I got off to a slow start do to the disease. I believe that being regular with my vitamin regimen, staying active as possible, keeping up with my weight training, and watching my diet are all helping. If I feel better over all, my Crohn’s stays quiet.
Workouts: progress continues! I’m gaining strength, slowly but surely, and stamina. My arms are a little larger, my chest is larger, my shoulders more defined, my waist is shrinking, and my weight is decreasing.
I did spend the first week of November in Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor Resort no less (one of America’s true luxury resorts) at a business conference (NACAS – where I was inducted as the board President). Though I suffered early on a brief attack of altitude sickness, several gallons of water and many deep breaths later I was feeling positively energized in the thin mountain air. So good that by the end of my stay I was lifting weights in the fitness center each night – including 250 on the bench for three reps. Twenty five more pounds than at home – it was on a machine though so it didn’t require as much use of the stabilizing muscles as a “true” bench press. Still felt good though!
Cardio: most of the month was ho-hum in this area. Being in a play (mentioned in the last post) did slow me down somewhat. However, one the play was finished I was able to step things back up so to speak. Also, as I mentioned above, I took a trip to Colorado Springs. Nothing like a stay in the thin mountain air, hikes up a couple of hills (and 224 steps to the top of Seven Falls and another 185 to the Eagles Landing) and walking all over a spread out resort (the Broadmoor) and conference center to get those steps in!
Nutrition: I’m doing pretty well in this department. I hit my protein goals most days and stay below my carb goals. Fats, still an issue, but getting better. I’m finding some supplementation with protein drinks is really helping. I’m making my own smoothies starting this week as well. Now that my weight is down, I’m considering adding a few more calories per day to see if I can spur some additional muscle growth without adding fat. A challenge for anyone – let alone a middle age man with a history of being fat prone. But, if you don’t experiment you don’t learn, right?
Other Cool Things this Month: the biggest cool think I did this month was visit the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs as part of the aforementioned conference. Here I got to meet several Olympic and Paralympic athletes and I’ll post more about that later. But what a thrill it was to participate in an Olympic Flame lighting ceremony and meet so many athletes. If I needed any more motivation to keep working out, I got it that night. I may never have the body of a gymnast – the shoulders and biceps on those guys – but I can keep pushing my own personal limits.
And so can you.
Onward!
Olympic gymnast Sam Mikulak having fun with a fan.
Journeys With Dave 