My Santiago Peak Hiking Experience
Yesterday, I climbed Santiago Peak. Jannah and kids went to Emily’s in Utah and left me a lone man here in Foothill Ranch. I was notified of their departure on Thursday and they were gone Friday. I had to react quickly to find something productive to do with my time. So I decided to do an all day hike like Santiago Peak.
It is difficult to get to the trailhead with a low sitting Audi so I decided to bike in 3.5 miles. This worked well, except for the fact I was soaked with sweat and water. Sweat from my pores and water from my camel backpack. The water was forced out because of the bike chain I had stored in the backpack. I hoped I would have enough water for the hike despite the ride in. I started the hike and felt good. I never stopped to rest all the way up the 8 mile mountain. I was slow at times but just kept plugging away. I got up in 2 hours and 45 minutes, enjoyed the views, ate some food and headed back down. Since I was feeling pretty good I decided to jog down the mountain part of the way. I jogged two of the next three miles. When I got to mile four I ran out of water, started to feel light headed and tired, and slowed my pace dramatically. Soon thereafter I was on the ground trying to give my body rest to continue and to get rid of uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. The rest was not working nor was it enjoyable with the flies hovering around my head and not a comfortable spot to sit or lie down. I tried to go on but my stomach just got worse. The nausea increased and the rest was not helping. I tried to press on but could only go twenty steps. I did this a couple of times, disguising my condition to the fellow hikers that passed. Over the next 1.5 to 2 hours I tried to recuperate. My thoughts were turned to water, powerade, gatorade. I couldn’t think of much else except the distance I was from the bottom of the mountain and my bike to the car. I was overwhelmed. I cursed that damn bike chain that wasted my water four hours ago. I didn’t know I was going to get down. The thoughts of a blue powerade were so strong it almost became an obsession.
I decided I needed to ask for some water from somebody. A big group passed and I acted happy and just needing a little breather. I chickened out. Why...I don’t know because I was ashamed and didn’t want them making a big deal of my plight. I continued with my twenty step process for the next 30 minutes. I also resorted to prayer. I remember thinking of the story of the man stuck in a boat asking for help from God. A fellow seaman comes and offers help. The stranded man says no as he knew God would help him. A helicopter comes and he gives the same response. My thirst could help it no longer and I decided the next people that pass I will humble myself and ask. I asked and they gave.
Interestingly, I couldn’t get much water down. Having to suck it from my pouch took energy I did not have. My stomach also couldn’t handle it. I knew I had to get some down so I forced sips every once in awhile. I continued to try to rest. A woman I jogged past down the mountain while she was climbing towards the top past me. I laughed a shameful laugh. I allowed my mind to take my body beyond its comfort and it left me stuck on this mountain.
I continued to step and rest. One annoyance I want to note were the flies. Since I was wet and sweaty they flocked to me. They attacked my ears and head. They, along with the uncomfortable resting spots, drove me nuts and are what kept me moving. The thing is I was so slow in my pace from one rest to the next that the flies were able to follow me. It felt like I was never really able to get rid of the original set of flies from an hour ago. Extremely annoying. Eventually I was able to increase my distance of travel, allow new flies to feast on my sweat, and press on. I noticed that I kept walking although my stomach made it uncomfortable still but I was making progress. Leaves and rocks became my markers, my short term goals. Once I passed the first leaf I picked a new rock to walk towards. I couldn’t go too far out on my target or it overwhelmed me. II still took breaks but they were becoming less frequent. The mountain just kept going and I kept getting discouraged. I ran out of water 45 minutes or so after I got it. Knowing that water didn’t bring me the relief its seductive nature lessened and I turned my obsession to the moment where my bike reached my car. The thought of putting my bike in my car was too overwhelming but I would deal with that when I got there.
So I slowly continued down the mountain with my leaves and rocks. Eventually I was able to walk without breaks. My stomach was normalizing. My throat became more dry and my body was aching but I could deal with that. Nausea was something I could not deal with. I hate it. It is the feeling I fear most. 45 minutes later I reached my bike with a throat that had no saliva or wetness to it. I was craving liquid big time. I kept licking my lips and slapping my chops just to get something going in there...it didn’t really work. When I swallowed I swallowed dust and dryness.
I got on my bike, took a deep breath, and started the three mile bike ride. Much to my pleasant and merciful surprise the bike ride, although very bumpy, was more downhill than I thought it was going to be. I coasted and glided most of the way down. The coast down reminded me how exhausted I was when I started the hike having biked in somewhat uphill for three miles. I struggled to keep myself on the bike but eventually got to the car. I loaded it up, drove to a small convenience store, and bought a $2.50 bottle of orange gatorade (they didn’t have powerade or blue flavor). It tasted fantastic. I sat on a shaded bench outside the store for a couple of minutes and allowed the liquid to fall down my throat and fill every part of my inside body. It was a magical moment, perhaps worth the whole trip.
Over the next couple of hours everything felt great. The food, the shower, sitting. I like this feeling. I like appreciating the small and simple things. Those small and simple things go unnoticed and I am needing more. It was a good experience and so easy to look back and laugh at it. I knew this would be the case when I was on the mountain but didn’t see how I could think it was something I could take likely then. It was a good but tough day.
