Training Day

Mt Defiance is one of the hardest and highest hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.  Climbers use it to train for Mt Hood and other mountain ascents.  A friend of mine is training for an Everest climb in April/May and invited me along.  We had great weather with temps in the mid 60's and mostly sunny skies which, I was told, was rare for this hike.

The trail switch backed up and up through trees.  We were soon shedding layers as the sun rose and from exertion.  We had a picnic lunch by a snow covered frozen lake.  Yes, snow and the adventure began!  The trail from that point on was buried in snow and markings were difficult to follow.  We began bushwacking in the general direction.  As we headed up the snow got deeper.  It was slushy from the warm temps and we were post holing.  I punched through up to my thigh at one point.  So we strapped on snowshoes for the remaining climb.  Mac did an excellent job of navigation with the gps.  We found the trail, lost it, found it again and so on but made it to the top!  We were rewarded with great views of Mt Hood and the Columbia River.  The gps said 5000 feet of elevation gain!  It was a long, knee jarring descent but there was one more obstacle.  A mile from the car was a waterfall that we had to cross below.  Because it was late in the day and there had been a lot of snow melt the water was swift and ankle deep on the rock crossing.  The spray from the falls got saturated my shirt.  It was better than a water ride at an amusement park!  

This morning my muscles are sore but happy.  I need to get used to carrying a pack again and my legs need to get stronger.  In the same way my "pen" needs to get used to writing again.  It's a bit rusty and needs to get flexed & stretched too.  I'm on my way.