Simple enough, I was going to take the Hunter Trail which is about a 4 mile hike graded as a "moderate" intensity hike with areas that require Class 3 climbing skills which according to wiki means "Classes 3 are steeper scrambling with increased exposure and a greater chance of severe injury, but falls are not always fatal"...hmmm..."falls are not always fatal"...that's reassuring...
So long story short:
1) Halfway during the trail, I lost my map, so instead of only doing the Hunter trail, I got lost and did the Sunset Vista trail, meaning a 4 mile hiking turned into a 10 mile hike and 6 nonstop hours of hiking
3) I slipped multiple times (mainly when I veered off the trail) due to the crumbling rocks beneath my feet trying to desperately stop myself from plummeting into either some sharp jagged rocks or a cactus. I wasn't sure half the time if slipping on crumbling rocks or if my legs buckling from utter exhaustion would cause me to tumble off the cliff. I learned that when you are really desperate to not slip down a cliff, you will grab hold of anything, a rock overgrown with lichen, jagged sharp rocks that cut your hands, and even a cactus! (which explains all the thorns in my hands)
4) I did not anticipate a 10 mile hike so I had to start rationing food and especially WATER (I was soooooo thirsty), I only brought ONE water bottle, one apple, one pear, a sandwich, and a small handful of trail mix. 10 miles, 6 hrs, over 85 degrees outside, you can do the math...
5) After hours of using cables to climb the peak, I really could have used some gloves to reduce the cable burns on my hands
5) I found out what physiological exhaustion feels like. If I were to compare this experience to anything, it's like as if I was a tribute in The Hunger Games (except no killing and all about survival). There were a few times I thought I was going to pass out and even after I took deep long breaths I still didn't feel like I had enough oxygen; my body ached all over and I couldn't convince myself to make one more step. I just wanted more than anything to be transported home.
6) I didn't stop drinking water for an hour after I got home. I definitely drank a lot more than I ate. I laid there the entire night half napping, half watching TV, but I really just couldn't find the energy to do anything else. I guess I've learned my lesson...don't lose your map, don't get lost, stay on the trail, bring enough food AND especially WATER!!
I think I sprang my wrist, cable burned my hands, have thorns all over my body, and I'm maybe a little sunburnt...but on a happy note...I survived!! What an accomplishment!!
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