Trail To Kaiser Peak
Dale Matson
I am ascending a mountain trail. Where is the top? Is
it just up there or is that just another false summit? I can see a hole in the
trees. As I walk my heart pounds in my chest. It is not like running down
below. This is much more noticeable. I need to pause from time to time to get a
deep cleansing breath as I lean forward on my trekking poles. Someone approaches
from up above. I gladly step off the trail to let him by. It is as much an
excuse to rest as it is being polite. He says he’s from England. “This is a
heck of a lot higher than Ben Nevis” I say and he nods his head.
I take a long drink from my water bottle. I gasp for breath
again. It was too long without breathing. A bead of sweat mixed with Deet drips
from my forehead into my eye. It begins to burn. I squirt water into my eye
from my water bottle and wipe it with my towel hanging from my pack.
There is a distant sound like someone blowing rapidly into a
Coke bottle. It is a Partridge drumming on a log. There is a stone in my shoe.
It has been there awhile, sometimes painful, sometimes not but I need to find a
sitting rock and take my shoe off. There’s a good rock that is the right height
to support my pack too but it’s too far off the trail. Maybe I’ll find one on
the next switchback. I need a rest again too.
I hear a conversation. Is it above or below me? It’s below
me. People are catching up and will soon pass. Dang! This never happened in the
old days. I think to myself as they pass, “I could be their grandfather.” It’s
time for another drink. Well, that’s almost the last of my water. I need
resupply the next time I come to a source.
Man, this climb is never ending! I can’t take any more caffeinated
energy gels till I have lots more water. Oh, I’ll just shorten my stride and
get into my marching mode to conserve energy. There goes my hope for a two
miles an hour pace for this climb. Did I put my car key in my Velcro or my zip
pocket? Man, I wouldn't want to do this climb in the afternoon.
Oops, I almost tripped on that root stub. Where did it come
from? I then scold myself for looking at the altimeter too much on my watch. I
pause again to take another cleansing breath. Just as I think I am on the last
switchback and I can see the peak ahead of me, the trail takes a hard left and
climbs in another direction.
Finally, I see people sitting just above me. The view is
beginning to open up. I wonder
where those folks are from. I’ll ask them when I find a place to sit and admire the view.
View East From Kaiser Peak With Banner Peak
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