Tuesday, July 15, 2014

If At First You Don't Succeed...

try AGAIN!
And try again, we will.

On June 29 we set out to summit Half Dome in Yosemite Park via the Mist Trail. We arrived at Yosemite the night before after a twelve and a half hour drive. It should have taken us six hours. Unbeknownst to us, there was a fatal bridge collapse on the freeway in LA that morning. We were stuck in traffic for HOURS!

By the time we reached Yosemite we were tired and hungry. I was also having some major joint pain and mild stomach upset. We decided to spring for a night in a lodge and a hot meal in hopes that we would get a good few hours rest and I would feel better by the time we hit the trails.

We only got a few hours rest, but it was good rest, before we were up again to drive an hour into Yosemite and hit the trail. We were on the trail by 0400. This was my first time hiking in the dark (though we did have head lamps) and I was nervous at first, but it didn't take long for my nerves to settle. My joints were still pretty sore and swollen but I was determined to get as far as we could without overdoing it.

My favorite part of the whole hike was when the sun started rising. We only came across a few other hikers on the trail at this hour. It was quiet except for the roar of the waterfalls. To slowly see more and more of our surroundings as the sun got higher and higher was just...well, it was beyond words. Absolutely amazing. We were in awe the whole time.

The way up the falls was a whole hell of a lot of stairs and rocks. A LOT. We had to take quite a few breaks so my lungs could catch up and acclimate to the altitude change, but we kept a pretty good pace. The longer we kept going the more I began to wonder if I was actually going to make it to the top. My joints were in quite a bit of pain, but I was enjoying myself despite the pain.

About two and half miles or so from the base of Half Dome we sat down to snack and I really started to wonder if I could do this. I'm not much of a crier (at least not compared to when I was a kid) but the tears started rolling. Lot's of them. I was so damn frustrated with my body. I knew that I could have made it to the base of Half Dome, but there was no way I could pull myself safely up the cables, the joints in my fingers were ridiculously swollen and where most of the pain was. After about 20 minutes of talking with L I decided it would be best to head back down.

It was the best decision I could have made for myself. The way down, at least going back down the falls, was much more difficult than going up! About the last mile out I injured my IT band on my left knee. It was horrible! I would take a few steps and then have to rest, the pain was insane. And this is coming from someone with a high pain tolerance.

I was pretty bummed that I didn't make it to the top. I beat myself up for it for a little bit, but my husband being the great man he is reminded me that I made the best decision for myself, and that I made it further than most others.

We spent 10 hours on the trail and I loved every minute of it. Even when my joints were throbbing and my lungs needed a break. I love hiking and being outdoors. It's where I feel most alive.

Next year we are going to attempt Half Dome again, and this time, I will get to the top!

I also have set another goal and it's a pretty damn big one. In a year or two my goal is to hike the John Muir Trail. 200+ miles, starting in Yosemite and ending at M. Whitney. This of course will require lot's of training and planning and will take a few weeks. What can I say? I'm just a small woman with BIG goals and dreams! And ain't nothin' gonna stop me!
The stairs up the falls seemed to be never ending!


Don't fall!

Words can not explain. We were in awe the whole time.
You have to see and experience for yourself.



My best friend. My rock. My adventure partner.
My biggest supporter and motivator.
My love.
I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend my forever with.


I prefer rivers and lakes to the ocean, pine trees to palm trees, hiking trails to beach trails.

Our first view of Half Dome.
Next year, it's mine.

We found a friend!

Doing what I love.





Out here is where I feel most at home. Where I feel most alive.
Where I feel most like myself. Where I feel most at peace.
I was born to wander, born to explore.

Little beggar. 

No words.



Take me back! Yosemite will forever have a piece of my heart!