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On Friday, my co-worker/friend Amanda and I hiked Guadelupe Peak. It's a butt-pucker of a height, but one with a real neat prize at the end: being at the highest point in the state, one hell of a workout, and getting the Lion King's Pride Rock view of the surroundings.
By the third mile into the hike, shortly after crossing the wood bridge and passing the forest, I was tired. But both of use refused to turn around. I also drank up my 2 liter water bladder before getting to the top of the mountain. I always carry a Dasani bottle for cleansing after pissing and I was drinking that soap scummy water plus a bag of melted ice I packed to keep my lunch cool.
We made it to the top and after a photo shoot and signing the register in the ammo box by the pyramid, we sprawled out on the rocks. I never thought stones could be so comforting. A 50 year old couple from Houston joined us shortly and we took off to get back to camp before sunset at 7:24.
We were in hell on the descent. Amanda got two blisters and had to put bandages on her feet. My feet hurt like hell but no blisters or blood. It felt like the front was getting wrenched in a vise. I was lagging behind and even babbling at one point.
And when we got back to camp, Mother Nature had a real neat surprise for me:
I started menstruating on the hike. I wouldn't be surprised if the strain made me bleed. It was enough to where I didn't want to eat but just go wash my undies in the restroom. I wound up tossing out my dinner (Amanda's chili) and I walked in the dark to the restroom with plumbing to clean up and get more water for camp. Then I got lost and went down the wrong path (it was pitch dark). I made it back to camp just before the coyotes started yapping.
It wasn't too cold so I slept well for once and even rigged a blanket in the tree so that I could sponge bathe before going in the tent. When we got home the next morning, Dad was nice enough to cook us eggs and bacon.
The pyramid from the Peak.
Almost there.
El Capitan as seen from a nearby rest stop. (Not what we climbed)
By the third mile into the hike, shortly after crossing the wood bridge and passing the forest, I was tired. But both of use refused to turn around. I also drank up my 2 liter water bladder before getting to the top of the mountain. I always carry a Dasani bottle for cleansing after pissing and I was drinking that soap scummy water plus a bag of melted ice I packed to keep my lunch cool.
We made it to the top and after a photo shoot and signing the register in the ammo box by the pyramid, we sprawled out on the rocks. I never thought stones could be so comforting. A 50 year old couple from Houston joined us shortly and we took off to get back to camp before sunset at 7:24.
We were in hell on the descent. Amanda got two blisters and had to put bandages on her feet. My feet hurt like hell but no blisters or blood. It felt like the front was getting wrenched in a vise. I was lagging behind and even babbling at one point.
And when we got back to camp, Mother Nature had a real neat surprise for me:
I started menstruating on the hike. I wouldn't be surprised if the strain made me bleed. It was enough to where I didn't want to eat but just go wash my undies in the restroom. I wound up tossing out my dinner (Amanda's chili) and I walked in the dark to the restroom with plumbing to clean up and get more water for camp. Then I got lost and went down the wrong path (it was pitch dark). I made it back to camp just before the coyotes started yapping.
It wasn't too cold so I slept well for once and even rigged a blanket in the tree so that I could sponge bathe before going in the tent. When we got home the next morning, Dad was nice enough to cook us eggs and bacon.
The pyramid from the Peak.
Almost there.
El Capitan as seen from a nearby rest stop. (Not what we climbed)
