Number 6

Number 6 on my 30 Before 30 list is "Go on a hike". When I originally wrote this, I had no idea what type of hike I'd be going on, but had an easy stroll in mind. How wrong I was!

My friend from high school, Luz, told me she was doing the Pikes Peak Challenge for the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado in support of her Godmother. I loved this idea and when the opportunity arose to join her team, I jumped on it.

We started the hike at 5:15 a.m. and reached the summit a little before 2 p.m. It was one of the most difficult things I've put my body through but was more than worth it! In Colorado, you hear a lot about people hiking 14'ers so you don't really think a lot of it...until you do it yourself. There are easier mountains to climb and ones that have a lot shorter trails, but the 13 miles to the summit of Pikes Peak was a journey I really appreciate taking.

During the first three miles of the hike. What a beautiful sunrise!

7.5 miles to the Summit

A much needed rest. The branch was a perfect resting spot.

The views were beautiful, well worth the 8 hours on the trail.

With Luz as the temps started to drop.

At timberline and what we were climbing over, around and on top of.

About one mile from the Summit, freezing but loving it!

What I saw looking down. One wrong move and I'd be going down.

At the Summit with the Weebles. We named ourselves this because Weebles Wobble but They Don't Fall Down!

One of the reasons it was so difficult is because of the terrain. It was very rocky and pretty much straight up for 13 miles. At about 5 miles to go, I did begin to get sore and thought I would end being immobile the next day. Surprisingly, I was not that sore that night or the next day. I only felt as if I'd been to a really great Zumba class.

I'm proud of myself for accomplishing this and being in a good enough shape to complete the hike and not be out of commission for the next week :) I actually can't wait to climb my next!!