I reached a milestone of sorts this past Sunday morning, a personal best time hiking to the top of Camelback Mountain from the Echo Canyon trailhead: 24:27. (As a point of comparison, the best I could muster last year, just before the Chinese pulled the plug on all Everest expeditions planning to climb the mountain from the Tibet side, was 24:59.) Now I'm wondering just how much faster I can go. As it is, I have to run all of the traverses. I use my Sunday morning jaunt up Camelback as an unerringly honest gauge of how effective my training is. The mountain simply doesn't lie. A lower time means that my cardio-vascular workouts in combination with sleeping in my altitude tent are paying off. Yes, there are world-class athletes who could probably still kick my butt climbing Camelback, but I've said many times that you're in great shape if you can climb Camelback in as many minutes as your age. What does it mean that I can climb Camelback in less than half as many minutes as my age? I suppose I should feel ecstatic, but the reality is that I wonder if it's even close to being enough for a challenge as big as Everest. Yesterday, I climbed Camelback with my pack filled with over six gallons of water. The total pack weight was around 70-75 pounds. It took me an agonizing 55 minutes to reach the top. To save my knees on the way down, my plan was to dump the water out at the top, but not wanting it to go to waste I first offered it to anyone at the summit who wanted to top off their water bottles. A line of about two dozen people quickly formed, all thankful for the water, and all probably quite convinced that I was crazy. I look forward to Sunday morning, when I will once again see if I can lower my (unladed) personal best time.
Michael, I wrote this for you - just because...
ReplyDeleteSweet Dreams (title)
Drawn -
to the climb
his wares
are the perils
of his path
flat footed
by the scope
of his dreams
the high of his hopes
he listens
to the steps
of his pace
and knows an Old Friend
by Heaven's skies
he is in step with God
by philanthropic persuasion
he donates
the callus
of his calling
and perseveres
thru his reunion
and wakes yesterday
tomorrow
with the love
he found - back,
with the child
that dreams in his sleep
borrowing his hand
on his trip
to powdered pillows
of Heaven
where he notes
to God -
his love
for the children
of the world
and finding his peace
his porch swing
to Heaven;
Written by: Melinda
smittysbunch@hotmail.com
I have been writing Anthology poetry for many years and your story touched my heart, so I wrote this for you. I hope it helps to carry you through your journey.
Take care,
Melinda - Scottsdale, AZ
Congratulatins on your Camelback time. I look forward to watching your progress. Thank you for sharing your experience with us...Lori
ReplyDeletehow did you know my friend berk?
ReplyDeleteI knew Berk as an aviator at Burning Man. Even though my twin Cessna 310 seats six, allowing me to give rides to people five at a time, it was all I could do to keep up with Berk, who was the most generous soul at Burning Man in terms of giving rides to people. I only associated with him at Burning Man, but he left a deep impression on me, one that makes me want to honor his legacy by emulating his generous behavior.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you were answering your blog, did you like the poem I sent?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did, very much, so thank you for sharing your gift. Poetry is perhaps the only way to use words in a way that reveals rather than conceals.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you liked the Anthology poem I wrote for you. Yes I agree, poetry is the other side of the mountain before we get there. Safe journeys and again thank you for acknowledging the poem I wrote.
ReplyDeleteMelinda