Post by Walter on Jul 14, 2021 13:42:38 GMT -5
Went on my first post spine surgery, post Chemo, post COVID Sierra hike over the past few days.
The Report: We selected a relatively easy hike in Sequoia NP that was only about 1.7 miles out/back, or 3.4 miles total, and only about 600 ft vertical; literally, a 'kids friendly' trail.
Just about killed me.
THAT is how out of shape I am after essentially a year with no exercise regimen, being closeted by COVID, all piled on top of my new titanium reinforced spine.
It's a bit disheartening given how much I enjoy hiking, but OTOH, at least I made it without any issues other than just running out of gas with about 0.2 to go. So as a test run, I'm calling it a success.
Below is a photo of the end of the trail and the falls, (about 7300 ft ASL), though at this time of year, and with the drought, the "falls" looked more like someone strung a garden hose into the outback. Pretty unimpressive. But we knew that going in. This was really a test for all of us as it was the first post-COVID hike for all of us.
Fun fact: The second photo is an outcrop called "The Watchtower" on the Pear Lake trail taken from the Topokah Falls trail 2600 ft below. The Pear Lake trail takes you right out and along the rim of that cliff in the photo and is perhaps the most beautiful hike in the Sierras.
It was the last Sierra hike I had done prior to this one, so it was a bit humbling looking up at where I'd been in the past vs where I was now, getting my ass kicked by a kiddie trail, but inspiring to see if I can work my way back up there.
The Report: We selected a relatively easy hike in Sequoia NP that was only about 1.7 miles out/back, or 3.4 miles total, and only about 600 ft vertical; literally, a 'kids friendly' trail.
Just about killed me.
THAT is how out of shape I am after essentially a year with no exercise regimen, being closeted by COVID, all piled on top of my new titanium reinforced spine.
It's a bit disheartening given how much I enjoy hiking, but OTOH, at least I made it without any issues other than just running out of gas with about 0.2 to go. So as a test run, I'm calling it a success.
Below is a photo of the end of the trail and the falls, (about 7300 ft ASL), though at this time of year, and with the drought, the "falls" looked more like someone strung a garden hose into the outback. Pretty unimpressive. But we knew that going in. This was really a test for all of us as it was the first post-COVID hike for all of us.
Fun fact: The second photo is an outcrop called "The Watchtower" on the Pear Lake trail taken from the Topokah Falls trail 2600 ft below. The Pear Lake trail takes you right out and along the rim of that cliff in the photo and is perhaps the most beautiful hike in the Sierras.
It was the last Sierra hike I had done prior to this one, so it was a bit humbling looking up at where I'd been in the past vs where I was now, getting my ass kicked by a kiddie trail, but inspiring to see if I can work my way back up there.
................................
................................
