Day 53: : A hike of Olympic proportions…

 

It was the day after my 5k, I have to say, I was still on cloud 9!  I felt like I could take on Mt. Olympus if I set my mind to it!  Well, since Mt. Olympus is many miles away, I decided on visiting and taking on the next best thing, Squaw Valley, CA… home to the 1960 Winter Olympics!

Having never been to Squaw Valley, I decided to follow the recommendations of several friends and visit the historic haven of winter sports.  I thought that after completing my racing feat that doctors said was impossible, that an almost 2000ft hike to 8000ft was in order!  So, I woke up that morning and started the day with a 2.14 mile swim to clear my head and prepare myself for the adventure ahead.   The swim was cathartic and relaxing and my knee was feeling good after the race.

I arrived back home after the swim and packed my bag and pulled out my hiking shoes I had not used in over a year. Then I applied a little bit of sunscreen, wrapped a light long sleeve shirt around my waist and Siri and I were ready to make the trek to Olympic village.  The drive would be about an hour but the sun was bright and not a cloud in the sky, almost as if it were just supposed to be.   I turned on the radio and found myself lost in music that had me going miles with smiles… not a thought in my mind except excited anticipation to see and walk the grounds that were graced by true champions!

Siri directed me to the Squaw Valley resort and a green meadow with a crisscross wooden fence greeted me.  I followed the road next to the meadow for about ¾ mile when suddenly there in front of me were the Olympic rings and a lit Olympic torch which sat at the base of the rings.  I gasped with disbelief… it was majestic, magical, awe-inspiring and left me thinking, “What an honor it must have been to be part of these games!”  I struggled to focus on the road as taking pictures was all I was concerned about at that moment.  I turned into the Squaw Valley village and it was as if the air had an energy that I can hardly describe.  It felt as if everyone in the village held onto the same appreciation of where they were…

 

I parked the car at the base of the trail that would lead up 2,000 ft. to an elevation of 8100ft.  I was unaware of what to expect on the hike except that I knew I was going up!  The trail started with a gentle incline through a cool forested area.  Before I knew it I was climbing… climbing rocks anywhere from a foot high in some places to actual large boulders in others.  The resort had spray painted blue directional marks to help lead the way.  This proved to be useful as I found myself spell-bound by the landscape not wanting to miss a tree, flower or view, as I climbed ever higher.

 

 

The wildflowers were abundant and the mixed colors were reminiscent of a Claude Monet painting. They were delicate from afar, with muted lines, but ever pleasing to the eyes.  The butterflies danced in joy and I could hear water as I continued the hike.  There to the right was a waterfall that beckoned me to come frolic, but alas, it is snowmelt mountain water and the temp was just a little too chilly to shed my threads and frolic.  However, my naked toes were thankful for the quick dip to cool them off just because I could.  I stood atop a granite slab and in every direction the view was more than worthy of a picture or taking a minute for pure appreciation.    A quick sip of water and the 4 mile hike was nowhere near completion.

   

 

I continued upward and the trail had me entering thick cool lush forest where the ground was as soft as cotton as I walked on a pine needle layered trail.  The trees were giants by Olympic proportion.  It was obvious that this forest was quite old as the trees that lay on their sides had a girth that indicated that the rings need not be counted to calculate their age.  I continued the hike and my mind began to wander.  I was feeling good and the knee was holding up just fine.  I thought for a moment about all the Quests I had completed up to this point.  I thought about how each day I wake up feeling grateful not only to be able to do these Quests but to share the adventures and revelations with the world and whoever might find them remotely interesting to read.  I tried to think back to the day, not so long ago, that this shy girl would not even want to pick up a phone to place an order for something or walk into a new store without feeling some sense of fear.  I couldn’t help to think about how this Quest has changed my perspective on so many things that I would never have done or seen had I not decided to take on this mission.  And as I thought about the past, one thing was very clear, I did not want to go back!  I am excited about the fun, challenging, thrilling and provocative things still left to do and the people I hope to meet along the way.  And just as I was lost in thought, I came across yet another waterfall that was different than the last, but still required my full attention to absorb its beauty and movement.

I continued yet again with the hike, until I came upon a concerning part of the trail.  There in front of me were more rocks to climb but in this particular section,  a dried up creek/river bed, there were trees to climb over and rocks I had to scramble over and “precarious” would be the only way to describe it.  I remember looking up and then looking down and thinking, “If I fall my body will probably land… there!”  With that, I cautiously made my way up the rock and relishing the accomplishment when I completed the climb.  Again there was a forested flat area to hike until the next rock climb.

As I exited the forested area there was a muddy ravine and then one long and questionable rock climb to the top…  I was able to traverse the ravine but the rock climb was rated a Class 3 over a granite cliff face.  Although it proved to be challenging yet again, I cannot even describe the view but to say, I could not think of a closer place to heaven than this.   When I made it to the top, I sat for what seemed like an hour but just felt compelled to take in the view and make sure it was locked away securely in my memory.  The sky was as blue as I have seen it and the sun warmed me as though I were a lizard laying on a rock in need of a recharge in energy.  The village sat off in the distance and there I sat confounded as to why and how I was presented with this mission.  There was so much to ponder and take in that I had to force myself to stand up and feel secure that the time I spent was nourishing for both my body and my spirit.… there was still mountain to climb and I wasn’t going to leave a single rock untouched by my hiking shoes.

Just a little further and I came upon the most serene and picturesque lake…  her name was Shirley Lake.  A small alpine lake that seemed to come out of nowhere.   I was being called to come sit and enjoy her beauty.

I sat and rested one last time and had no hesitation to dip my naked toes in the water and found the water to be warmer than I had anticipated.  If only I had my swimsuit!!!   I must confess that skinny dipping sounded so tempting as I have never done that, but alas, with other hikers around, it wouldn’t happen today.  But somewhere along this Quest, I may just have to go Eve and take the plunge!  No, here I decided to just sit and rest and think… and as I looked around, it appeared that the other hikers seemed to feel the same pull, the same draw, the same need to just sit and be.

After just a little while and a couple hundred pics later, it was time to finish the last portion of the hike and climb to base camp to take the tram down the mountain.  The climb was just that, an all uphill climb, no forested breaks, just up and beyond!  I came around a bend and there in front of me was an area of snow!  I realized at that moment that in fact I was close to the summit.  I stopped to inspect the snow.  I reached down and picked up a handful to rub onto my neck and chest as my body was feeling hot at this point from the continuous climb.  The snow on my body felt oh-so-cold and refreshing!  Laying in the snow sounded like a wonderful plan, but time was ticking and I had to continue on the trek, but not without leaving a reminder for the hikers that followed.

 

The trail leveled off at 8100 ft as I had made the summit!  If I thought the views were fantastic at the granite cliff, these views were truly breath-taking!

I remember thinking that I could do this climb all the time if it meant having the privilege to see such a sight.  As I arrived at High Camp, I was impressed to find it was an important Olympic venue in 1960. This was a place that Olympians from around the world graced with their presence.  There was a roller skating rink at 8,100 feet that once served as the venue for Olympic hockey. There was a swimming pool, climbing wall and more activities than I could even mention.  And there by the skating rink stood a tall reminder of the greats who once visited and had the courage to use every ounce of energy and spirit to compete for that coveted gold medal… the Olympic rings were aged but regally standing with no less majesty than they did so many years ago.  I stood at the rail as I looked out with the other visitors and just remembered thinking, “The trail that led the great athletes to this place of competition was one of challenges, difficulties, disappointments and surprises.  They had the courage to take chances to believe in their abilities when perhaps others did not.  To work hard and then work even harder everyday with their eye on the medal. They worked to continually condition their bodies.  Determined, strong, fearless, brave, driven and some destined for greatness…  How humbling it is to stand in the shadow of greatness from countries across the globe…  as I stand here I am inspired to be the best, do the most, and appreciate everything life has to offer… and they may never know the gift of inspiration that they have gifted me some 64 years later.”

 

The tram ride down allowed for more spectacular views and once down the hill, it was time to indulge in some not so low calorie pizza and a cool refreshing and rewarding glass of Zinfindel…  It was gratifying to sit and take in the views of the village after a hike of Olympic proportion.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I had the privilege to climb a mountain and appreciate the bounty of the earth. I crossed difficult terrain cautiously but determined to reach the summit.  I made sure to fuel my body and nourish my soul with views and images that encouraged me to remember life before the Quest.  A hiking trail that is as good as gold helped me know that this is the path that I was meant to be on and to think the adventure has only just begun….

Walking in the shadow of greatness…  Wondering what tomorrow will bring…