Shorties: Number 9

Fatigue pounded Jason’s senses.  After hiking to the peak of Mt. Elbert, the second highest mountain in the continental United States, he was plodding down the trail to his car.  He always believed himself a fit person.  He trained and pushed himself in preparation for this climb.  After hiking for nearly eight hours, he knew he was reaching the limits of his endurance. 

Ascending brought expected challenges.  Each step required his legs to reach for a spot and lift the weight of his body and backpack to that level.  Every movement demanded oxygen usage.  Since the trailhead was at an elevation of 10, 150 feet, oxygen was in shorter supply than Jason was used to.  This fact was highlighted when trying to sleep the night before the climb.  At rest, he awoke during the night to take deeper breaths to supply his oxygen needy body.  This concerned him greatly.

Jason felt much better when he began the hike at 3:30 AM.  He had to walk slowly but controlling the pace created no issues.  He was happy to reach the tree line just before the sun peaked over the mountains to the east.  He reveled in the beauty of the moment.  He thought of creation and all the wonderful gifts God gives His tiny blue speck. 

Shortly after clearing the tree line, Jason stopped to rest and eat.  He surveyed the expanse before him.  He could see a lake and the town of Leadville in the distance.  Off his left shoulder was Mt. Massive.  The power of the sun warmed him a little but the wind blasted steadily.  Therefore, he kept his jacket and gloves on.  An individual breached the tree line as Jason packed up to continue the climb.   

For most of the climb, he could see a false summit.  Having researched the trail ahead of time, Jason knew there were a few of them.  Therefore, he knew not to hope for the end at that summit or the next.  Or the next.  Or the next.  The trail had many switch backs as it zig zagged up the mountain.  He simply put one foot in front of the other, pushing his way on. 

As he neared the steepest part of the trail, perhaps 2/3 of the way up, people were coming down.  Many gave words of encouragement.  Nearly all mentioned it “wasn’t much further.”  Sadly, “wasn’t much further” still meant an hour of climbing.  When someone told him it was just beyond a false summit, Jason finally felt some hope.  By this time, his breathing still labored in the thin air but he was accustomed to it.  When he made the final push, Jason gave extra effort because he wanted to exert himself and feel triumph in the moment. 

He smiled at the other climbers who conquered the mountain as they stood around taking pictures of the vistas before them.  It was the first time in his life he was at the highest visible point on earth.  He knew everything within his vision was below him.  There were many mountains spread out in every direction.  He, and those with him, was above all.

Going downhill requires different muscles than up.  It also demands control at all times or a person will tumble over.  Though lighter than during the ascent, the added weight of his backpack which required compensation to keep his balance.  Each step needed control and a slowing of the momentum gravity exerted.  After hours of climbing, descending feels like a blessing at the beginning.  It soon shows its true colors and exacts its toll. 

Forty five minutes after reaching the tree line, Jason looked at his surroundings, trying to determine how much trail was left.  Not only was he anxious to just be done with the hike, he needed to urinate with great urgency.  However, there were many people on the trail and Jason felt there was no place he could go without being seen.  He had to wait until reaching the parking lot. 

Since it was pitch black when he first traversed the area, save the shine of his headlamp, nothing looked familiar.  Jason tried to occupy his mind with thoughts of the climb.  He remembered mossy grass on rocks, small rodents scurrying about and yellow and purple flowers that sprouted here and there.  The views during the whole climb were amazing and he took many pictures with his phone.  It was nice to text with family to give them updates. 

Jason thought of something his brother once told him.  He said,  “When you do a grueling hike, toward the end you hate it because you are tired.”  Jason completely agreed with that point.  His brother continued, “Just like women who give birth to a baby, you don’t ever want to do it again but you do forget the pain.  Eventually, you want to do it again.”  Jason thought to himself, “I know women who never wanted to have any more children.” 

He clenched and released his fingers.  They were red and swollen.  Jason removed his gloves just before reaching the summit when the climb was steep and slippery.  Perhaps they were red from sun or wind burn.  Maybe both.  For the rest of the day, his eyes were dry.  His left Achilles tendon hurt but Jason was happy he had no pain from blisters.  His whole body felt weak and he could only keep going by placing one foot in front of the other. 

Finally passing the sign that pointed to the Mt. Elbert and Colorado Trails, Jason knew he was close.  Two men on mountain bikes headed toward him.  Were they going to the top of the mountain this late in the day?  On bikes?  Are they planning to camp somewhere?  Jason would never bike the trail he just did.  Then he caught the first glimpse of the parking lot.  His bladder was overjoyed. 

The remaining hours of the day were spent trying to recover.  After munching more food and sucking down a sport’s drink at the car, Jason drove to the hotel where he showered and napped for an hour.  Later, he went to town to get something to eat.  Every sip of water and bite of food took great effort.  He was completely spent.

The following morning, he walked like an old crippled man.  Each step down the stairs to breakfast produced stabs of pain.  More jabs hit him when he returned to his room.  It was more than a week before he felt back to normal.  Then he was ready to do it again.