Thursday, October 11, 2018

Back to the mountains

Mountains, sky, clouds
It was only two weeks ago that I went with the Senior Trailblazers to visit Ptarmigan Ridge. Because the weather decided to stay nice, and our scheduled hike was a long drive away, we broke into two groups: one went to Ptarmigan Ridge to allow those who haven't yet enjoyed it this season, and the other went to Ridley Creek, another long drive and not one of my favorites. So I decided to do it once again, and what a beautiful day we had! Eight Trailblazers drove to Artist Point and set out in temperatures just a few degrees above freezing.
Ice crystals
This closeup of ice crystals show what we dealt with in the morning, lots of ice and slippery footing to begin our adventure. The sun reached the majority of the trail, and the only places that were difficult were where the sun hadn't yet reached.
Cathy, me, Jim, Victoria, Chris, Al, Judy, Melanie
I just this minute received this wonderful picture from Cathy, which was taken by a passerby, of the eight of us. We had hiked three miles to the overlook, before we started across the trail towards Mt. Baker.
Judy, Baker, Melanie
At the beginning of the hike, we had this view of Mt. Baker, which seems far in the distance. But after hiking several miles towards it, we get much closer indeed. By the way, Judy is a new hiker with us, and I'll bet it won't be the last time she joins us.
The same three at our lunch spot
When we stopped for lunch, the clouds had moved in and gave the entire day a much different feeling than our cloudless visit of two weeks ago. Plus all the incredible colors we saw then have become muted. Winter is moving in quickly.
Me in front of Baker
Melanie took this picture of me at our lunch spot, and I like it very much. It was not long after she took it that we began our trip back, covering the same trail we took to get here. All was well, until a short time later, I took a fall on the trail, hitting my left knee on a rock. It hurt so badly for a few moments that if Victoria hadn't caught me, I would have tumbled all the way down into the valley below.

Once I regained my wits, I realized that I would need to tape my knee with an Ace bandage in order to get back down the trail. Victoria taped it (she is an occupational therapist) and I struggled down the trail, with the help of Jim, who carried my pack the entire distance back, so I would have as little stress on my knee as possible. I carefully hobbled down the trail with my taped knee.
Mt. Shuksan today
And then, as if by magic, the sun came out to light up Mt. Shuksan, giving me a chance to capture what I think is the best picture of this glorious mountain I've ever taken. The mixture of clouds and light make it look (to my eyes anyway) like something taken by a professional!

Now I am home and have discovered that nothing is broken in my knee, and a few days of R&R should make it good as it gets. We covered more than eight miles today, and went almost 2,000 feet up and down. Nobody is happier to be home than I am, and I must say that the wine I've almost finished has helped me appreciate what a wonderful day we had together. Thank you to all my friends who helped me today.
:-)

18 comments:

  1. That was a scary fall today. Glad nothing serious resulted. Your photos are once again wonderful.

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  2. Falls at this age can be serious. You're one tough cookie. I hope things heal up quickly.

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  3. That is an amazing view of Mt. Shuksan! Wow!
    Holey Moley! That fall of yours sounds so scary. Thank goodness you're safe, but I sure hope you heal quickly.

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  4. I'm starting to worry about you. You were very lucky. That is a perfect picture of Baker, though! Stay safe.

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  5. Nice photos. Maybe you'd better ice that knee.

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  6. Ouch on the knee. What a spectacular landscape!

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  7. Oh, my. What a bad fall and lucky you have such nice friends to help you.

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  8. So sorry about your fall. Glad it wasn't too serious. That last picture of the mountain does look professional. Beautiful!

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  9. The last photo of Mt. Shuksan is outstanding. What a beautiful state you live in! I have visited there when my cousin lived in Shelton and she and her husband took me on several day trips. I love the whole thing!!!

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  10. I am so sorry about your fall and it was fortunate to have your friends bolster you like that. So glad it wasn't too serious. The views were splendid and am pretty sure they were worth the pain.

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  11. What a shame about your knee as it must have spoilt a near perfect day. The views look wonderful especially the last photo.

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  12. I'm so sorry about the fall! Hopefully your knee heals up soon.

    Yes, that last photo DOES look professional...so much so I would have that sucker printed and framed!

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  13. Wow! Gorgeous photos! Worth frames!

    Hope you recover quickly, Jan.

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  14. Your mountains are beautiful, especially that last photo.

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  15. Those crystals look like an alien life form!

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  16. Be careful...I wouldn't like a picture of you (as a speck) far below, in the gully!!

    Beautiful as always, and so I must say, you are a spitting image for a mountain climbing gear catalog layout!!

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  17. Such great photos of the mountains. Glad your injury will heal with some rest. Wine always helps!

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  18. I hope you are doing the Rest Ice and Elevate!! Thank you to Victoria for saving you from a much worse fall:)

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