National Summit Day: That's a Lamotta Hike!!

It's been a year since my stunning defeat on Lamotte Peak (defeat because when I FINALLY got above tree line, I was so tired that I was grateful for the thunderstorms that had built up on all 4 points of the compass (and were threatening to electrify my day) because they gave me an excuse to not go any further <as if I could have...I was fried>{and maybe about to be fried}.[..anyway, I didn't make it].  Sue was a good sport about not summiting that day, as were Kent and Renel.  So I staggered back down vowing to be more prepared this year and not be turned away again.  With that in mind, Sue and I actually set up a training schedule, *gasp* to get ready.  I was walking several times a week after work doing BFR training (more on that another time, maybe), and we planned out several hikes on weekends and flex days to get us ready.  We made those hikes happen and they were wonderful on their own account.  We increased distance and climb, and most of them were above 13,000 feet.

At the last minute we invited Paul to join us and he happily accepted, and Kent and Renel talked their son Miles into it the day before.  We set an early start time to give us plenty of time before mid-day thunderstorms might build up, and were on the trail before dawn.  Now you might be wondering, what's the big deal here, it's only a 12 mile hike with 3,800 feet of elevation gain.  Not so bad, right?  Well, here's the problem:  There's no trail.  Not only is there no trail, the first 1.75 miles and 1500 feet of climb is through this:

Yes, yes, we know that Miles is handsome, stop looking at him and look at the "trail".  There isn't one.  The space between you and Suzanne is what the "way" looks like for that first 1.75 miles and 1500 feet of climb (can you spell Stepe...Steap...Steppe, STEEP).  We were roughly following a moose path, and every so often Sue would yell "moose poop" to let us know that she was on the path she wanted to be on.  But that kind of terrain takes it toll!  (and guess what?...after about 10 miles of hiking we got to go DOWN through that stuff as well, trying very hard not to break body parts).

Ok after that the going got easier for a minute or two, with this lovely meadow as a break after the first climb.

Then to our first water stop.

After this bucolic bit of beauty, we had the second climb to tree line (remember, no trail still) through some stuff where the grade was about a 50 degree angle.  Isn't hiking fun!!!

That took us above tree line to what I call the tundra.  This shot is looking back at the tree line.

Do you remember that part in Monte Python and the Holy Grail where the two knights charge the castle over and over and don't get any closer?  Well...that's kind of what the tundra was like.  I'd see a rise in the tundra and think, ok that's the ridge.  I'd make it to there and....MORE TUNDRA.  That happened several times.

More tundra.

That's Ostler Peak on the left with Amethyst Lake at it's base.  But, still not on the ridge! More tundra.

Finally made the ridge!  And the views....

Oh yeah, that's all that's left to go...easy, no?

NO!  Not easy, but we were still having a good time.  The ridge looks much shorter than it actually is...

Not yet..this is about half way...

Looking back down the ridge from about half way...

Almost there.  All that's left to do is climb that pile of rocks...

...and get to the top!  We made it!!  No thunder or lightning, no rain, no dying, no injuries.

Then all there was to do was turn around and go down.  Remember that first part?  Not so fun when one's legs are at WOBBLECON 4!  Sue developed a bit of mountain sickness, but a few pills, a Priesthood blessing and a large dose of faith, coupled with her incredible strength and endurance, got her down safely and happy.  We were bruised, scraped, really footsore (even the dogs stopped running around), and super tired, but we did it!!!  It was a wonderful day with the best people in the world, out in the beauty of God's creation.  Once, during the climb, we stopped to consider that 5 of the 6 of us (Miles is young) really had no business doing what we were doing, but we did it anyway because we love the freedom of the hills and being together.  We're already talking about next year, and hiking somewhere else we have no business being, but we'll be there!!!