Attempted Death By Mountain

Yesterday I dressed warmly, strapped on a snow shovel and a pair of snowshoes, and headed mountainward in search of deep enough snow to snowshoe in.

As I arrived at Water Canyon, a state police cruiser was exiting. As I parked, a four-wheel drive two truck arrived and started to head up the ice-packed road. I went up trail 13, one of my favorites, because there was certain to be snow on top.

On the way up I encounted lots of snow 8 inches or deeper. All powder, and all in shady areas on the sides of the mountain. No chance for snowshoeing, but it did make the hike extra tiresome as I plowed through it all.

The hike up was amazingly quiet. The air was perfectly still, and the canyon was deathly quiet.

Up top, the stillness ended, and a bitter cold wind blew across the mesa. I'd packed with the plan that I'd add my windproof layers last, but I was too warm for the stuff on top of my pack and needed the shells, so it was a pain to dig them out. At some point, I took my googles off, and forgot to put them back on. I'm not really sure how long I had them off, but I didn't seem to burn my retinas, so it must have been thankfully short.

I took a few silly pictures of myself up top with my camera in the self-timer mode balanced on my snow shovel which was on top of a mound of snow. I set up my hammock and laid around for a while looking up at how crisply green the trees were above me (in retrospect, it was probably the tint of my googles that made them look so good), and then headed back down. Descending the trail was a lot more treacherous than ascending it had been, but I made it.

I took pictures, but I'm not sure any of them are interesting enough for a follow up post, but I might put some up anyway.

Two Weeks Have Passed...

Two weeks have passed, and the only pain I've had was when I had a misadventure with the corner of a box. I went on a vigorous walk a week ago, and there was no indication that it aggravated my surgery.

I shall soon be trying again for more adventures in the mountains. I think I'm finally recuperated enough.

Still Not Better

I suppose I should keep this somewhat up to date.

Me and my surgery are still at odds against each other as to whether or not I'm better. Someday I'll be able to stand up and walk without pain...

Walking

I walked about 8km yesterday, not sure I mentioned that earlier. I think I walked about 3.8 miles today. I definitely feel sore from yesterday. And tired from today. I over dressed for today. It was hotter out there than I imagined.

Gear

I replaced the green Marmot jacket I'd lost. Then I found it. It had made it back with me. My cats had taken it, and hidden it from me. Along with it I also found a backpack that had been missing for quite a while.

At REI yesterday I picked up a Smartwool neck gaiter, some Smartwool glove liners, an OR balaclava, a The North Face hat, and a couple of other things. I should be well prepared for hiking/walking/bicycling in the cold this winter.

Serious Lack Of Progress

From 2091011

Once again I'm ready to declare that I've recovered from my surgery. Who knows if I'm right?

Yesterday I hiked in the forests of Santa Fe because it's about the time of year when leaves change. I don't have pictures offloaded yet. For the most part, I missed the change. I was told that a week before not many had changed, and by yesterday many had finished and already dropped their leaves. Oh well. I went about 8km I'd guess. I forgot to turn the GPS on at the start, and I forgot to turn it off before driving away in my car.

More Walking...

Last night, after gaming, I walked to Jason's house. He says it is a little more than a mile from his house to the plaza, and it is about half a mile from my house to the plaza, plus I took a trip around the field and a slight Northern detour on the way home. That should be at least 3.5 miles last night. By the end of it my back was feeling sore, and I was feeling tired, so I know I put some effort in. I haven't done much since the surgery, with last night being only my sixth time out walking or hiking since August 5th, but things are looking up.