After waiting for the excitement of the weather game (also whether) because the hikes being planned were based on whether it is nice weather or not. We woke up to SUNSHINE and clouds. Everything was still wet, but at least it was not raining or snowing. Now we had to decide on the hikes.
Wes offered to lead a strenuous hike and wanted me to co-lead with him. Of course I am not into a hike that involved 720 meter elevation climb and a return distance of 15 km. So I passed. Somehow, I ended up offering to lead a hike that ended up being 680 meter elevation climb and a distance of about 15 km..... where was my mind?
Well I had a group of 7 to take on this hike, and what a great time we had. We left about 9:30 and first thing I started to head to the wrong gate to leave camp. Then we have a great time hiking along to the corner to head across a meadow – no cairn so no marker. But fortunately, being tuned in and working closely with the co-leader we knew we had missed the junction – but knew where we wanted to go. So we just headed cross country (open meadows remember) to get to the meadows below the climb to Hounds Tooth Ridge.
To get to the ridge involved walking through snow, climbing over BOULDERS, going up, up, up and up some more. Finally we all reached the ridge.. and what great views. No one complained about the difficulty and technical nature of the hike. However, I was fired and re-hired as leader several times.
Camp life includes Tea/Coffee at 4, Happy hour at 5 and Dinner at 6. The only concern by any members of our group was that we would be late for happy hour. Tea/coffee – who cares. Well we got back in camp at 5 precisely.
This was my first time as trail leader and I was pleased to report that I left with 7, made the destination and returned with 7. I was never lost or confused. I am likely the first ever to be given a strenuous and technically difficult hike on their first time.
But to say that I was tired.... well understatement. I was so tired that I could barely manage to get my boots and socks off – yes Wes helped me. Happy hour was well deserved as well as dinner. By the way, it was sunny with cloudy periods all day. Tomorrow is suppose to be even better and my feet are demanding that I lead an easy hike (yes I was given another chance to lead a hike).
Wes successfully lead his group up and back and he was really tired as well. However, one of the other leaders accidently left a radio in the middle of the hike and so Wes volunteered to go with that individual after dinner to find the radio. This meant another hike for him and he was VERY tired by the time he got back. I was not able to even consider making such a trek even when he figured I should be able to do so.
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