Strength

CityStrides Monday: 9 Complete

Work Walk

Windy Morning

Cool Down

Back to continue the journey after a disappointing Labor Day weekend. Trying out a new pack and also checking off a few more summits with my "fancy pints." 

Started with Garfield knowing all well that if I started at the other end I wouldn't want to do it late and probably call it after three. Steady climb up getting there in just under 90 minutes (87ish) for 4.85. Had the first pint up there, Cranberry Crumble, and it was quite tasty. 

Headed down toward Galehead and remained dry despite an increasingly wet trail. First mishap of the day came just prior to the hut. Didn't quite lift my right leg up high enough so as it slid down the rock face managed to bounce my left shin off said rock. It was definitely a bounce and it definitely hurt, but I continued. Summitted Galehead where I had the second and final pint of the day. Apple Pie, good, but not as good as the Cranberry Crumble. It was very soft which was nice, but almost a little too sweet which is something I rarely say. I think some more testing may be required for a better analysis.

Left Galehead and began the climb of the back half of the hike. Never got overly aggressive, but tried to keep a steady effort for the duration and it seemed to work as strava gave me PR for it. Regardless, 1100+ feet in 3/4 of a mile is no joke. Wet down low, but dry for probably the top third. Blew through the summit and just continued over towards North Twin. 

Out and back to North Twin was largely uneventful, but very muddy. Was doing pretty good up to this point. Got some mud on the way out, but way more on the return trip. Began the descent back towards the hut and was moving quite well despite a fairly populated trail. And cue mishap number two. Down in the bottom third (the wet section) took a real good slip. Hit the ground (a rock) hard with my right hip and hand. Felt the hip, but wasn't bad, meanwhile I thought I broke my hand for about the next five minutes. Still swollen around the knuckles of my index and middle fingers, but think its just a strain or hyperextension. Still hurt and was pulsing like crazy. Slipped again not long after, but that was much more straightforward with my feet hitting the ground flat and my hands landing palms down on a rock. 

Continued my descent with several more minor slips and slides, but nothing ridiculous, just the usual stuff with wet rocks, roots, and leaves. Picking up steam as the descent got easier down towards the Galehead trail head. That was until the large group on who I'm guessing are girl scouts, early elementary age decided to take lunch on an outcropping of rocks just after a river crossing. The two adults really didn't care about the 10ish girls sitting five wide across the trail. Carefully stepped around them, but then slipped and slid down a rock while passing them. Nothing serious, more like a sit down and they all asked if I was okay, but just kinda annoying with the lack of etiquette. 

Rest of the hike was pretty standard and boring. Only excitement was some guy pretty close to the parking lot running up the trail with a legit backpacking pack with some sort of stringed instrument sticking out the top. Seemed to small to be a guitar, but that is now the second similar instrument I've seen on the trail today. He was also not a small man to be running up hill, regardless of how unsteep it was at that section. 

All in all, a pretty good day. Four more peaks and officially over 90 percent through the grid now. Would have been nice to be closing out September today, but oh well. Beautiful day to be in the mountains. 

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Jacob Wormald

Northern Pemi (517-520/576)

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Strength

CityStrides Monday: 9 Complete

Work Walk

Windy Morning

Cool Down

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