Overcoming the literal and figurative hump

Man, it seems in this day and age, there are way too many online outlets to share good news or thoughts. I'm really happy that I hiked Camelback Mountain--the harder trail--all the way to the top. I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't sure if I could keep up a good pace. But it wasn't as bad as I thought, and the view was awesome. I'm so glad that I want to write about it. But if I write about it in one place, I feel like I have to do it other places. Let's count: 1) here on my blog, 2)Facebook status, 3) Twitter update, 4) Yelp review. Nobody expects me to take the time out for any or all, but I feel like I should. Sigh...

So, this all started with my co-worker, Andy who is one of our sportswriters. The guy is in great shape. Go figure, a sportswriter who is athletic. Really, I haven't met many of those since college. He has been after me for like six months to go hiking up Camelback Mountain. He thought I could easily do it. I resisted and seemed to always have excuses. I couldn't go on a weekday morning. I already had plans that day. I resisted because all I ever heard about Camelback Mountain is it's for hardcore hikers. I didn't think running miles on flat terrain would prepare me for that. Also, a couple months ago, a girl died (I learned later that she had fallen after going off the trail. If you stay on the trail, the worst you could do is injure yourself). He brought it up again with me on Wednesday about heading out there Sunday morning. I said I'd have to think about it. I realized I had no excuse. And then I realized, I don't hike often because I don't like to go alone in case I hurt myself. Here was someone familiar with the area willing to keep me company and look out for me. So Friday, I told Andy I was game.

I have to admit I'm glad I did. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and met him near the park at 7:30 a.m. It wasn't what I pictured. I guess I pictured skinny trails and my sliding into an abyss or landing on someone. Plus, I don't like heights. But the trail is pretty wide. A lot of the climb is on a lot of sandstone rock. You just have to be careful about where you place your feet. Of course, the klutz in me didn't escape completely unscathed. I have the scraped knees and leg bruise to prove it. But it was all worth it. I was pleasantly surprised that I kept up with Andy and didn't have to rest for too long. The hardest parts were when you really had to lift your whole body weight upward and coming down, my knees and upper legs were asking 'Why?' The hike was 1.2 miles each way with an elevation gain of 1,264 feet. Getting to that summit was really a great feeling of accomplishment. I haven't had that feeling in a while. I'm happy I can say I did it, especially as hiking season will end in a couple of months.