Chimney Tops, Great Smoky Mountains

[kassidy62]

Today I hiked. I love the mountains so much, but I've not walked the trails for a few years mostly due to the health issues. However, I had promised my oldest and her best friend that we'd go hiking in the mountains before the summer is over.

At one point I didn't think I'd be able to keep my promise, but I was prescribed some meds that helped me be get moving after waking up, so I grabbed my two girls and Johnny and we headed up into the Smokies. Only a 30% chance of rain for later in the day according to the forecast - good odds, I thought. Which, like many of our local weather forecasts, turned out WRONG. A steady rain all day.

We still went. Johnny wanted to try a more difficult hike (well, difficult for us - we've none of us ever been regular hikers) because he'd had surgery recently and wants to regain his strength. (He's sixteen.) I agreed to go for the Chimney Tops, which I hadn't hiked in about twenty years! (It's not a long hike, but as this article will tell you, it's quite steep).

I frankly figured I couldn't make it, but if that were the case, I'd just sit and wait for the kids while they finished. I wanted to try. I hate owning up to being unable to do things I used to be able to do. I already do that so much, and it kills the spirit.

It was the hardest thing I've ever done, physically. My body just didn't think it could do it, and I tended to agree with it. I'm a stubborn cuss, however, and for the last half mile up the trail I sent the kids on ahead and took the climb as I could (talked to myself a lot). As I climbed higher, the wind began to blow, cold and crisp. It was rejuvenating, and really, by the time I made it to the foot of the rock climb, I was exhilarated. What a gorgeous view: clouds rolling over the mountains, wind hissing and rocking the tree tops.

Though I didn't quite make it to the top of the final 50 foot (wet, slippery) rock climb as I did twenty years ago, I got most of the way there. Only my thirteen-year old got higher than I did. My sixteen-year old got a bit freaked by the height, and Johnny didn't climb without her.

(This photo isn't mine - the others are)

my view, if a little blurry - see my daughter's red hair? :)

I can't say I didn't overdo it. I did. The walk down was kind of horrible, and my stride became very awkward and shambling (my left side drags). The legs almost gave out on me. I did a sort of crab-leg thing part of the way. But whatever works.

I'm my father's daughter - too much spleen to be good for anyone - irritable, stubborn, but determined. The last mile was pretty much stubbornness, pride, and mumbling to myself through gritted teeth about a bottle of wine at home if only I could get the fuck off the damn rock.

Not pretty, but what the hell, I did it, and I wanted to do something I know I used to be able to do.  It makes me sad to think I'll probably never do it again.

One of many reasons I love my husband: he'd just gotten off work when we came back. He immediately noticed my gait. I told him where we'd been and said, I'll probably never be able to do it again.

He said, "You might." He believes it, and makes me consider the possibility.

Cone flower by the side of the trail

Comments

[lolabobs.livejournal.com]

Wow. What a fantastic achievement. Stubbornness with a wonderful pay off - Fab message for the kids too. So glad you made it - and I really hope you got your wine at the end of it. You certainly deserved it!

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

I TOTALLY HAD WINE. That bottle was MINE:)

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

Congrats and thanks for sharing these lovely pics!

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

Welcome:) There's something amazing about watching the clouds and fog swirl around the mtns.

[duluthgirl.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful post both in imagery and tale. You rock, you know that? When I graduated college, I moved to Missoula, Montana, where I hiked nearly every day. I know well what it takes to get to the top, and sometimes determination and mumbling is all that's left. :) Good for you! And I wholly believe you can do it again. Hell, as much as your health will allow, you could do shorter hikes and build yourself up. The next time you tackle that mountain, you'll be up it without the agony of this time.

We were once socked (sp?) under cloud cover for over a month, and I missed the sun so much! I took off up Mt. Sentinel, and didn't stop! Most the hike was a foggy mess and I couldn't see a thing. But the last 20 feet, I broke through and felt the sunlight on my face! Talk about rejoicing! I couldn't see Missoula or the valley for the clouds, so it looked like I was standing on a little island in the middle of a great white lake. I'll never forget that moment. The mountains are a magical place that I visit whenever I can.

Thanks for bringing back some memories with your pictures, and keep hiking! :)

[cynatnite.livejournal.com]

The husband was born in Lolo and grew up in Missoula for most of his childhood. We still have family up north in Ronan.

[duluthgirl.livejournal.com]

Missoula is an awesome place to live! i want to go back some day. I've been blessed to live in all different places, but Duluth and Missoula were my favorites!

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure you rock pretty hard, yourself:)
I looked up Mt Sentinel in Missoula, and imagined the view you must have had. Sounds wonderful, sort of stranded amongst the clouds.
You know what, I hope very much that you're right and I can keep on with hikes now and then - though I think I'll take some easier/shorter ones for a bit. I love the mountains so much, too, and even moreso since I've gotten older (there is NOTHING like a refreshing cool wind for a woman with hot flashes;)

[cynatnite.livejournal.com]

Beautiful pics! Congrats on making it. Tell husband 'never say never'. LOL

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I would never have thought I'd made it as far as I did, though I will tell you if I go again soon it will be an easier trail. So sore!

[thayln.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. We took the trail down to Crabtree Falls, which was only a 7, and it about killed me. Great feeling of accomplishment when we finally made it back to the parking lot. I can't imagine taking the route you did, though. I'm definitely impressed.

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

I don't understand what you mean by Crabtree Falls being a 7 - do you mean miles? Seven miles would be difficult for me. The hike I did was much shorter but pretty steep, about did me in;) Still worth it.
I AM SORE.

[zebra363.livejournal.com]

That looks like a beautiful hike – glad you made it!

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

It was really lovely, with three bridges and some mini-falls:)

[hardboiledbaby]

So proud of you :)

[kassidy62.livejournal.com]

YAY!! I climbed. I saw. I got sore:) I win!