Yesterday Stuey and I did our second peak in the 'Adjust your Altitude' Challenge - the North Sister. There were a lot of people climbing the mountain with us and we even met Stuey's babysitter from way back. It was also very hot and steep. We went up the front steep side and without any wind or shade it was sort of a slog. But we made it and there was a breeze out of the north on top.
Rather than negotiate the steep front side again we opted to climb down the less steep backside. Stuey and I both agreed that going down steep slopes hurts the knees and shins. However, on the backside the top section is super scary! And I was wondering what I had got us into, and even suggested that we go back up and down the way we came. To this Stuey replied, 'are you crazy - go back up!'
So we continued on down and once past the scary section it was far more pleasant than the other side of the mountain. There was a breeze and even shade trees lower down. It was also far less steep and we did not see a single other soul on the trail. We just enjoyed the view while we meandered through the wildflowers. We also filled our water bottles with the most 'delicious water in the world' from a cold spring on the way down.
At the bottom Stuey sat by the side of the road and drank the 'delicious water' while I walked a mile or so up the road to collect the car. Lap 2 complete!
Patrick
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| On the way up - steep pretty much the whole way and no shade |
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| We begin the descent - there is a steep scary section at the start |
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| Hiking down through the wildflowers on the backside |
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| This flower has a great name - weaselsnout (Lagotis glauca) |
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