Editor’s note: it has been three years since writing this and the reality is we are simply doing a better job of choosing itineraries that match our current level of fitness because the ultimate goal is time together in the outdoors. Here are of our latest trips: Lake Josephine to Chain Lakes and Lakeshore Trail to Stehekin.
My friend Anne and I are already planning our girls trip for next summer (one of the ways we make it through winter) and it has me thinking about this past summer’s trip. Like most of my adventures this year, it didn’t go as planned and it is one of the reasons I have had to lay down some rules with my hiking family.
If you want to backpack with me, you better get in shape for it. Tough love but after this summer it was clear that the itineraries we had planned together were more than my friends had physically prepared themselves for, which is often the case when you work full time outside the home and family responsibilities mean sacrificing what little time you have for yourself. And we might as well admit here that middle age doesn’t help much either.
Safety became an issue.
So far, one friend has kept her promise up and weekly hikes are keeping her participating in the 52 Hike Challenge. So proud of her! I obviously need to keep up my end and heal myself up proper, too. If you can’t tell, I am mentally preparing myself to be able to do all the things I want to do so my shoulder will get the hint. I have hopes for the others and I am excited to see where we end up next year.
In case you missed our adventure this year, you can click on the picture below for a link to my trip report and photo gallery. It was yet another example of how my summer held both breathtaking views and unexpected twists but I think that is one of the things I love about my time outdoors and well, a good metaphor for life itself.
For more hikes nearby, check out my page on the Highway 2 area and for the previous year’s all girls trip on the Pacific Crest Trail, read Out With The Girls.
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