Walking the Miles ...: Hunchback Mountain to Great Pyramid Hike

WHAT A HIKE!

BRUTAL.

F’ing brutal.

The signs warn of Cougar and Black Bear

THIS HIKE...

was one of the toughest hikes I’ve ever been on;

gained a little over 2000 feet in elevation in the first two miles;

had a wild and rugged terrain;

had many steep - very steep - climbs and descents;

traveled on a narrow, slanted trail on a very steep, slippery slope;

traveled on the spine of a rocky, narrow ridge;

tested my fitness level, balance and nerve;

pushed me out of my comfort zone;

showed me how far I’ve come;

filled me with pride. ☺

This hike was AWESOME!
9.87 miles; 3734 feet of elevation gain

I belong to the Mazamas mountaineering organization in Portland. They offer guided hikes (climbs too) and those hikes are graded A, B, and C for their difficulty and distance, A being the easiest. When I hike with the Mazamas I almost always choose a B hike, sometimes an A if it's in an area or on a trail I really want to see. I have never applied for a C hike before (you have to be accepted on one). I know I'm capable of a C hike because I've done difficult hikes with my adventure sister but hiking with a group is completely different. I'm used to taking my time, going my own speed and stopping whenever I feel like it to take pictures or simply to catch my breath. Being with a group doesn't allow that kind of individual freedom.

The hike up Hunchback Mountain is a C hike. It was advertised by a hike leader I really enjoy hiking with - I know his style and know how he looks out for the entire group from the front of the line to the end of the line. I've seen him get the front of the group up to the peak of a climb and hike back down to bring up the straggling slower hikers. I've seen him take off his backpack, reach out and get the timid, balance challenged, and fearful hiker (ME!) across a log over a raging river. He is simply a great hike leader and I trust and respect him. Because he was the hike leader on this one, I applied for my first C hike with the Mazamas... and I was accepted. ☺

This was an out and back hike with a lot of very steep uphills often followed by very steep downhills all the while climbing up in elevation. There were steep switchbacks in the beginning, climbing over 2000 feet in 2 miles. At the top of the switchbacks we went through a fairly "tame" (ha!) area where there were no drop-offs next to the trail. We climbed up steep rocky areas, hiked along on a narrow, slanted trail on a very steep, slippery slope (I wasn't about to stop and take a picture!), bushwacked our way through some areas, walked on narrow rocky ridges, and climbed up, up and up.

Admittedly there was a time when we were about three-quarters of our way up the switchbacks (yes, within the second mile) when I questioned my ability to do this C hike. I was struggling to keep up with the group which was my fear of going on a group hike like this. I slow down - a lot - when going up steep inclines. I'm a "slow and steady hiker" going up hill... I will get there, just give me time. I wanted to turn back. I wanted to quit and retreat back into my comfort zone. B hikes are enough... Why put myself through this? HOWEVER... it was on this exact trail, within these switchbacks, where an Oregon woman hiker was killed by a cougar in August of last year. I was not about to turn back and leave the group. Nope, not happening. We had already discussed the cougar attack, the possibility of encountering one, and what to do if we did. I was afraid. I had no other choice in my mind but to suck it up and keep going up that mountain. To my relief, the hike leader slowed down a little and I was then able to stick with the group. (Kristin - thank you for staying with me and talking me through my moments of doubt!) No more negative thoughts in my head. I could do this. I settled into the hike, relaxed mentally and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. I didn't look ahead or think about it... I just hiked.

When we reached our destination I was so happy and proud! I made it! I did!! Woohoo!!! A couple of hikers congratulated me on making it to the top of my first C hike! I was beaming!

We ate our lunch and then headed back down. Going down was just as challenging as going up and required a lot more attention. It was dangerous. There were a few occasions when I hesitated in fear of the next step down, worried I was going to slip, fall, lose my balance and go over that edge. That edge was haunting.

Once back at the trailhead I let out a big sigh of relief and thanked the hike leader for allowing me on my first C hike. ☺ I received high-fives and hugs. I had doubted myself and almost let those doubts take over. This hike was definitely a huge challenge for me on several levels and I'm so happy I was able to conquer it.

We were socked in with fog and clouds the entire day. It sprinkled once in a while but didn't start raining until we were on our way back down which made the hike even more treacherous than it already was. My Garmin said the average temperature was 54 degrees. I'm not sure what the temperature was when we reached the top of the ridge but it was definitely colder than that. We had to wear coats and gloves up there. I'd rather be cold than hot while hiking though so no complaints.

As challenging as this was for me, I am totally looking forward to my next C hike! I know I can do it! ;)

Monday's update: I usually don't sleep well the night after a tough hike (I'm too tired, I think) but the past two nights have been different than others. I've struggled to fall asleep and to stay asleep. I'm restless. I've had multiple dreams in which I'm just about to fall over the cliff ... and then I'm startled awake again. I'm being haunted by THAT EDGE.