Friday and Saturday, 08 & 09-April, 2016… though not much of Friday, I’ll admit.
Quick post this time… since let’s be honest, a training hike isn’t really the most exciting thing out there.
Friday
Wake up and hit the climbing gym “early” for a warm up… at 9:30 or 10:00. Good leading, though I still pop off that 5.12b from the comp. Then drop Sarah off at the house, hit REI to get some gear that I wrecked on the hike the weekend before (trekking poles and snow pants), and back home to Hood River to sleep. Sleep, pack, eat, stress, sleep, stress, etc…
Saturday
Finally leave the house @ 4:00, way later after I’d planned, thanks to forgetting stuff and generally being annoyed and flustered. Start hiking Mt Hood at 5:45, as it’s just starting to brighten up. It’s a long walk… and honestly not the most exciting one. But walking solo is kind of nice, and I keep a… pace. Definitely a pace. Rest a lot, enjoy my time. Nap at the top of the Palmer, play on some high-angle ice, chat with photographer and give him water, see an injury from icefall (wear your helmets, kids!), and walk down. Not… not super exciting, I’ll admit. It wasn’t a super fun hike, but it did get me some good training and altitude conditioning… I think?
