Our Blog of Love: Summit

Well, I always thought I could do hard things, and things that I set my mind to, but this summer I proved it to myself. Devin always talks about doing BIG hikes at Waterton. Like Summit or Crypt. I think he'd like to do an overnight hike someday. Somehow he ~~convinced me~~ told me that I could do Summit and that I was going to do it and like it. Haha.

Devin recruited Lisa, Jeff and Ali to come along. Chinton was smart and stayed away. We started pretty early in the morning from Cameron Lake. I knew from the start that it was a 20km hike, but I didn't really know what that meant. Now I do.

Starting out...happy as can be!

The trail doesn't start out to kindly...I wasn't sure I would even make the first leg of the trail. It starts with a million switchbacks and steep sections. Devin helped me when I was tired by putting his hand on my back and gently keeping me going. I wouldn't have been able to do it without him.

Devin's sisters were an inspiration to me too. They chatted along the whole time, not seeming to be exhausted, like I was feeling. Every once in a while they would call out to me, telling me I could do it and that I was doing great. It really helped.

Eventually we got to the shale section. It made me dizzy and I had to concentrate to stay upright and not fall down the mountain. It was sheer down one side and the trail was very narrow. The ground seemed to zoom by me, keeping me slightly off balance. And then we arrived at the top. It was breathtaking. It made everything worth it.

I did it!

What a handsome man!

So, these are the mountains you look at from the ridge we were standing on. Jeff decided that it would be a good idea to go and run them....for real! He had a drink and then took off. He ran down our ridge and then up the shale mountain, down a bit on the backside and up to the far right peak of the brown mountain behind. He ran there and back in an hour....while I sat and died on the top of the ridge. I cannot believe he had the energy to do that! Amazing!

So after Jeff came back, we all hiked onward to the townsite. There was a bit more up, but most of the way was downhill. My knees thought it was pretty tough. And by the time we walked the last few steps into the townsite, I wasn't sure if I would make it another step. But I did it. And it was worth it.

I guess that's how life is. It's hard and we're never sure if we will make it another step. But we do. And it is worth it.

Here is some of the fun we had along the way.