Highonlife
03-06-2010, 11:09 AM
:drink::drink:
Normally I wouldn't post a trip report for these two, but my good friend Val who has not hiked a high peak since her accident asked me to join her. It's been a long road for her, she had her second surgery and she has been working out and physical therapy ever since. Prior to Thursday she had been doing some small trails, hikes but now this was yet to be her biggest challenge. To be asked to go with her was very special to me as I was with her when she climbed her first mountain in August only to be set back with another surgery.
So we met at the trailhead and big, big hugs. From the start I felt like I had my winter hiking partner back, however she said she would try Porter, Cascade if it wasn't too much. I told her I was fine with that, not being a peak bagger it wasn't an issue. Val donned her snowshoes, I wore crampons. I was surprised how much snow there was but with the melt and cold at night it was a great walking crust.
We were off, and I couldn't believe how well she was doing so much better than the last time we hooked up. She said she felt good but the descending was the issue, hey we have all day!! Finally we got to where you started to have some views and she kept saying how good it was to be home. I was so happy for her. Val said she felt normal again, I said I hope not.:D We got to the intersection but where's the sign it was buried so I dug to where I could see it. Val hugged it and started to cry, and well so did I. I knew what she was feeling, something that takes you in a direction that you didn't expect but you make the most of whatever comes your way. It's funny how just the small things can make you feel whole again. I was so honored to witness this day for her. After we took some photos we were off to Porter. The views were breathtaking so just added to this special day. On the way there would be at times branches down I was plowing the way for her, she was thanking me and we had a lot of good laughs about this. Trail maintenance. Well we got to Porter with some hooting and hollering and just hugs and hugs. :drink:I teared up again, for me it was an emotional day. We took some time on the summit, taking everything in and talking about anything and everything. She told me the story how she first met Rik and how she got confused with Whiteface and Owl's head. Rik was kind enough to tell her the difference, I got a good chuckle out of that one. Dam it felt so good to have her back. We talked about her remaining winter peaks....next year!! And yes Seward's here we come. It was time to depart, one more look and we were off.
We got back to the intersection and she said she wanted to try for Cascade, I let her make that decision, I was satisfied with Porter but I said okay. The one thing that looked good for Val is Cascade was all snow. I even offered to carry her supplies because of the weight bearing. I told her I do that for Jim C all the time,:D we laughed and said thanks but said she wanted to try that too. We were off and no wind which is unusual so this helped her too. We got to the summit and really big hugs as this was our first time on Cascade...she said that goes on her Nancy lists together summits. What a day...
Again one more look around and we headed down, Val was feeling mighty high. The mountains are such healers.
We got back down and went to Placid for lunch, we weren't ready to let our day end. She got a call from her honey and he thanked me for getting her back safely was there any other way? We chuckled and said we were thankful that we didn't have to deal with a turnaround time. :twisted:
Finally it was time to depart and big hugs until our next adventures. I was so grateful to have my friend back, being on a high peak was sure special. Cascade and Porter have a new meaning for me now!
As she is driving I was thinking of all the people I have hiked with who have overcome obstacles and feel lucky that they have shared their story with me and now are part of my life. God Bless you all and thanks for not giving up but pushing forward.
photos of the day... http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d54557a4f5459794d6a42384d5441324d4451314e44413d0d 0a&sb=1
Normally I wouldn't post a trip report for these two, but my good friend Val who has not hiked a high peak since her accident asked me to join her. It's been a long road for her, she had her second surgery and she has been working out and physical therapy ever since. Prior to Thursday she had been doing some small trails, hikes but now this was yet to be her biggest challenge. To be asked to go with her was very special to me as I was with her when she climbed her first mountain in August only to be set back with another surgery.
So we met at the trailhead and big, big hugs. From the start I felt like I had my winter hiking partner back, however she said she would try Porter, Cascade if it wasn't too much. I told her I was fine with that, not being a peak bagger it wasn't an issue. Val donned her snowshoes, I wore crampons. I was surprised how much snow there was but with the melt and cold at night it was a great walking crust.
We were off, and I couldn't believe how well she was doing so much better than the last time we hooked up. She said she felt good but the descending was the issue, hey we have all day!! Finally we got to where you started to have some views and she kept saying how good it was to be home. I was so happy for her. Val said she felt normal again, I said I hope not.:D We got to the intersection but where's the sign it was buried so I dug to where I could see it. Val hugged it and started to cry, and well so did I. I knew what she was feeling, something that takes you in a direction that you didn't expect but you make the most of whatever comes your way. It's funny how just the small things can make you feel whole again. I was so honored to witness this day for her. After we took some photos we were off to Porter. The views were breathtaking so just added to this special day. On the way there would be at times branches down I was plowing the way for her, she was thanking me and we had a lot of good laughs about this. Trail maintenance. Well we got to Porter with some hooting and hollering and just hugs and hugs. :drink:I teared up again, for me it was an emotional day. We took some time on the summit, taking everything in and talking about anything and everything. She told me the story how she first met Rik and how she got confused with Whiteface and Owl's head. Rik was kind enough to tell her the difference, I got a good chuckle out of that one. Dam it felt so good to have her back. We talked about her remaining winter peaks....next year!! And yes Seward's here we come. It was time to depart, one more look and we were off.
We got back to the intersection and she said she wanted to try for Cascade, I let her make that decision, I was satisfied with Porter but I said okay. The one thing that looked good for Val is Cascade was all snow. I even offered to carry her supplies because of the weight bearing. I told her I do that for Jim C all the time,:D we laughed and said thanks but said she wanted to try that too. We were off and no wind which is unusual so this helped her too. We got to the summit and really big hugs as this was our first time on Cascade...she said that goes on her Nancy lists together summits. What a day...
Again one more look around and we headed down, Val was feeling mighty high. The mountains are such healers.
We got back down and went to Placid for lunch, we weren't ready to let our day end. She got a call from her honey and he thanked me for getting her back safely was there any other way? We chuckled and said we were thankful that we didn't have to deal with a turnaround time. :twisted:
Finally it was time to depart and big hugs until our next adventures. I was so grateful to have my friend back, being on a high peak was sure special. Cascade and Porter have a new meaning for me now!
As she is driving I was thinking of all the people I have hiked with who have overcome obstacles and feel lucky that they have shared their story with me and now are part of my life. God Bless you all and thanks for not giving up but pushing forward.
photos of the day... http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d54557a4f5459794d6a42384d5441324d4451314e44413d0d 0a&sb=1