The Orange Trail Experience!

My last official hike of the season will be affectionately known as the Orange Trail Experience! Once again our group was split up into two teams -- one team that is doing the 13+ mile hikes in Yosemite and one team that is doing the 9 mile hikes. Well, it turned out that my other team mate opted out of Saturday's hike so she could recuperate a bit so once again I was hiking with just my coach, Coach Kate!

So Coach Kate and I met at Sugarloaf Mountain for a 8 - 9 mile hike. In deference to my misbehaving ankle, she came up with a course with a lot of options. I definitely wanted to get the 900 ft climb in and as much elevation work as I could. So we started with a hike that would give us at least 5 miles and elevation that could be expanded as my ankle would allow.

We set out on the blue trail and hiked that and then up to the summit on the red trail -- gorgeous views, but as it was hot and humid (a typical MD spring/summer day) it was a bit slow going but we did it! Then she asked how I was feeling; well the ankle was doing OK since we were babying it a bit. So I said 'Let's add on some more mileage!' cause I'm gung ho like that :-) So she decided to take a short cut, the Orange Trail, that she had never taken before. Well now, the Orange trail is a short cut cause it goes almost freakin' straight down!!! YIKES!! I mean she was apologizing to me all the way!! I was a bit freaked out, not by the height, but by the fact that, if I fell, I have a lot for gravity to work on (if you know what I mean :-P) so there would be no stopping Ty's rapid and rather painful descent! We got about 1/2 way down and it was looking worse. Kate stopped and said we could go back up and come down the long way. But I was like -- I can't go up this thing, so we gotta keep going down! So down we went! There was one small section where she and I both kinda slid down (me more than her) but I MADE IT!!! I was so proud of myself --and my ankle! At the beginning of the season I think I would have just sat down and cried! But now I was able to make it down -- slowly, but I made it!

After that we followed the white trail and did some more climbs. We got to a point where we could have cut off, but once again I decided we should soldier ahead and get in that last 400 - 500 foot climb out to our cars. I'm telling you guys, endorphins are better than crack for making you think you can do things! (and its also free!!) :-) I also think that the knowledge of a port-a-pot at the parking lot instead of 'finding a tree' was also a powerful motivator! I was tired, but I made it! Coach Kate declared me ready for Panorama Trail!!! Thank You Maryland Hike Coaches!!

Even better, I came home and didn't need to nap! I showered, made some phone calls, and went about the rest of my day! I finally have the endurance to deal with the hike!

So now the event is in about 2 weeks! But I am still far short of my goal! I am urging you all to make a contribution today! There is still time and the Leukemian and Lymphoma Society and I really need your support!