the time I cried on a mountain

So Nathan and his older brother have this hike that they love. I have heard Nathan talk about it for years but we never went on it. All the sudden last week Nathan decided it was time. It was definitely going to be a longer hike than I was used to, what with my stupid heart problem and broken knee and asthma. (Yeah, I am a broken woman. Also, asthma makes me sound nerdy*) I was really excited though, because Nathan was so excited.

The hike was to Naomi's peak in Logan which is the highest peak there. The hike started off great. The trail was easy and it wasn't too hot and we had trail mix and I even peed in the woods. Guys, I peed in the woods. Like a man. I am so brave.

We got to a certain point in the hike where Nathan said he thought we should go off the trail. (Side note- Nathan hadn''t actually been on the hike in years and he couldn't even rememebr if we were going the right way. Let's just say there were trail-signs removed and we kinda didn't know where we were). He reassured me that he and his brother had gone off the trail before and since we could see the peak we were hiking to it would be no problem. 

It was a big problem.

We are off the trail for about an hour when I really started to think the plan was terrible. He were hiking along a slant that was covered with big rocks and it was certainly taking it's toll on my knee, not to mention the fact that I am just generally out of shape. And a huge wuss.

We keep walking and walking and walking and stumbling over rocks and I felt like we were no closer to that massive peak. We reach a basin below a lower peak and Nathan says if we would just climb up to the smaller peak, we could walk along the rigde, climb another steep cliff, and then we would be at the top.

That honestly sounded like death to me, but I was determined and Nathan was so excited to get to the top. So we started.

I'll try and paint a picture of what we were climbing. After 3 full hours of hiking, two of which were spent off the trail, we were now climbing an almost vertical cliff covered with giant boulders. It was so steep that you wouldn't just walk up it, you had to climb. Using both hands. Hoping the rocks you are stepping on don't crumble. 

So anyways, we climbed and climbed and climbed and I felt like we weren't getting anywhere. And I was exhausted and in pain but I was still pushing myself so hard. Too hard. About half way up, I still felt like I was miles away from the top. Then I looked down and a thought hit me, "Even if I made it to the top, I would still have to climb back down this mountain." And then I couldn't help it. I started bawling. I sat on a rock and I cried and cried and Nathan came to me and was bewildered and had no idea what to say. I told him between my tears that I was going to have to die here because I didn't have the energy to make it up, or make it back down. (I'm not dramatic at all guys).

I sat there grumpy and sullen and blaming Nathan for all my woes even though I hadn't told him I was wanting to die. He was so sweet and gave me trail mix and told me we didn't have to reach the top. You guys, I really love trail mix.

After some renewed energy and the positive attitude of my sweet husband, I made it pack down that freaking mountain. And we trudged back, found the trail, found the spot where I had peed and relieved my bravery, ate trail mix, and eventually found the parking lot. What a blessed sight!

Moral of the story is, if your husband decides to take you on a hike make sure he knows the exact route and never let him go off the trail. Also, crying gets you what you want.

This will be the only picture I will be sharing. Too many painful memories.

*Why is asthma considered nerdy? Every nerd in every movie always carries an inhaler. So only nerds are allowed to have constricted airways when they exercise?! Come on guys. Come on.