Introduction
Late last year, on Wednesday, 12/30/2020, I took a personal day off from work and managed to hike House Mountain for the 175th time. Seven weeks have gone by. I haven't hiked since due to several reasons. The main reason has been the too warm and wet weather on those previous seven weekends. Other reasons exist. A time or two, I blamed myself for my “weakness.”
I almost hiked on Saturday. In my laziness, I decided to let the muddy trails dry another day. That was my excuse.
176th Hike on House Mountain on Sunday, 2/21/2021
Well, the trails on my mountain, as I call House Mountain, were still sufficiently muddy in the usual areas. Yesterday afternoon, Sunday, 2/21/2021, I hiked House Mountain for the 176th time. I hope you enjoy the following photographs and my comments.
I started up at 1 PM on the dot. I chose the easier east trail, because I wanted to reach the middle bluff faster.
The above photograph is about 15 minutes from the middle bluff. I decided to take the photograph, since I do not think that I have taken one at this spot in a while. The area is not too hard.
Farther up, the final switchback is still hard enough for my “bionic” knee and foot, especially in the mud. Hikers, over the years, have cut the switchback and eroded it, which makes it harder. I had to place my left knee in the mud to secure a position to climb up by using my hands, feet, and knees. I do not have to do that if it's not muddy. I have taken a few photographs of that switchback in the last year or two. You can find them if you search previous articles about hiking.
It took me 59 minutes, to 1:59 PM, to get to the ridge. I used to do it in about 40 minutes. My foot and knee do not slow me down that much! The mud is what slowed me down this time. Also, I talked with a few folks hiking down as I hiked up. I have the gift of the gab!
At 2:12 PM, I reached the middle bluff. (The time is the same before and after my “bionic” joints.) The above photograph shows some snow that was still in shady areas. Do you see the snow? The position of the sun cast long shadows in the image. I saw the snow more clearly.
The above photograph looks northeast. Most of the middle bluff is to the right, not visible in the image. I still enjoy the view even after all these years.
As I was leaving, I met a couple who had just arrived. The man and the woman both had “bionic” joints, as I do. They are both younger than me by a few years. We talked about our “bionics.” They hike. I hike. They endure. I endure. They have endured more “bionic” years than I have. I am only almost five years, from 3/29/2016, into my endurance. This couple inspired me.
From 2:30 to 2:45 PM, I hiked back west along the ridgeline, reversing my own path to the middle bluff that was behind me now. Yes, I stopped to talk with a few other hikers!
I hiked down the same east trail that I had hiked up earlier. The downward hike took from 2:45 to 3:59 PM. No, I am not that slow! I met additional hikers who were hiking up.
Notably, I met a group of three. The man was 82 years young. His name is Mr. W. I know his first and last name. Two others were with him. Mr. W. is a man of God and a brother in Christ. Recently, he was diagnosed with the same type of illness that my father-in-law, also 82, has endured for a couple of decades. Mr. W. had to wait on the other two. They could not keep up with him! Mr. W. inspired me.
At 3:59 PM, I finished my hike. It was three hours, minus one minute. I have been noticing that my right knee and right foot seem to be improving. Of course, my left shoulder seems to be improving since 2/6/2021. My hike down was easier today. I feel something different in my knee and foot. I assume that it is progress. Give me another four or five years! I hope to make more progress to the point that I don't notice much difference anymore!
The above photograph is of my silver 2006 Frontier. He loves to have his photograph taken. We were lucky upon arrival. A person who had that spot was leaving. I waited. I took the spot! Folks were parked everywhere. The lower parking lot was full. The spots along the sides of the road were full. Folks were improvising parking spots.
Conclusion
After my hike earlier today, the time is now 5:58 PM, as I am typing now. I may not publish this article until tomorrow. I'm hungry. I hear our Half Pint microwave warming up supper. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman has two minutes to say, “It's ready!”
I'll publish this article tomorrow, on 2/22/2021.
Well, I'm back on Monday, 2/22/2021! I am finally publishing this article. Guess what? It's close to suppertime again today! The time is 5:52 PM, as I type this last sentence. Happy hiking, y'all!
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