It's Just Me

What did I do? Well in August I hiked to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park - why is that a big deal? Well because it was over 7 miles, but it was a 1600' elevation change in 3.5 miles!!!! UP UP UP! I can out walk many - on flat ground. Uphill? UGHHHH. First of all I smoked for many many years. It isn't so much my legs that cause a problem it's my breath - I can't keep it....

Anyway our friends Wendy and Mike and my husband and I had long been wanting to do this hike. In the last few years we have been going to Glacier together at least once a year. We had been going on the 'cheap' weekends because we like staying at the old lodges and they can be expensive. When you go at those off times, the park is less populated, sometimes the boats are done for the year etc. This year we were determined to do the Grinnell Glacier hike and we wanted to take the boat to cut down on the already long hike. So we booked way early and booked lake facing rooms at Many Glacier for 2 nights in August.

I have to say this trip was in the back of my mind all summer. Through our trip to Yosemite and our trip to the Redwoods. Why? Because of the hike! Could I really do it? I worried and fretted about it. I hoped for bad weather maybe to keep us in the lodge. Maybe I'd have some injury I would use as an excuse..... It all crossed my mind. And I even said it out loud a couple times - told our friends I didn't think I could do it. Keep in mind that Mike and Wendy are 7-8 years younger than us! Have never smoked etc.... sure no problem for them....

I decided I needed trekking poles. We ordered them online from REI and went to Spokane to pick them up - I had no idea if they'd really help.... I had my hiking boots - had barely used them, but got some good smart wool socks. We took our backpacks and made our plans for carrying cameras, water and some protein bars etc. We were ready to go!

We arrived at Glacier - and Many Glacier Hotel - LOVE that place. This was the first time we had lake facing rooms - and I'm not sure I'd pay the extra to do it again. We didn't have a balcony - the rooms on the other side are just as nice, and we've always had adjoining and a balcony. We settled in, had some drinks and dinner and then off to bed - up early to the hike!

I did finally resign myself to the hike and then lookout! Was ready and wanting to do it. It looked like rain and we had all the good gear so off we went. Boat, hike, boat and off to the real hike. It took me some time - I had to rest often, but all the better to check out the scenery. It was so beautiful. I just trudged and trudged. Kept going one foot in front of the other. The scenery just really made up for all of it!

Ted, Mike and Wendy were just fantastic - never pushing me, always telling me to take my time and do whatever I needed to do. There is a last little part of the hike I think maybe 1/4 mile that is just fricken straight up - switch backs to help - I guess many people don't do that part - WHAT??? I knew about it - had read up and there was no way I was not going to do that final piece and get the REWARD of the glacier itself. And OHHHH was it worth it.

Going down..... As hard as going up was I thought going back down would be a breeze - NOT. 1600' elevation change down is hard too. My trekking poles were invaluable going downhill. They kept me from falling many many times. My toes were pushed into the toes of my shoes and were really hurting by the end of the hike (update - I lost a toenail on my left foot about 3 weeks ago - from that hike!). It did start to rain on us the last bit of the hike - but the feeling at the end of it was sublime. I was tired, sweaty, wet, sore - but elated. I had brought a little milk type carton of wine and we passed it around while waiting for the boat - sighhhhhh.... I did it.

This is one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done - I am out of shape and admit it - I HATE to exercise, even when it's disquised as recreation. Maybe if I had pushed myself when I was younger I'd be better off now - maybe not. I guess it's never too late to do something you want to do. I wanted to do this hike and I did it. I feel much more confident to do more hikes now and at 48 years old I think that is a good thing.

There are other hikes in Glacier that are longer, but flat - I look forward to doing those - really next year I want to do the hike to Granite Park Chalet - 7.5 miles one way. Spend the night and a shorter hike out the next day. It's long, but you are already starting basically from the top - so pretty flat - I think I can handle that now!