Every time I read this book, I feel inspired to go hiking. I think, I should go hiking on the Appalachian Trail, not the whole thing, maybe a weekend or even a week. I start doing research, googling the Appalachian Trail, reading first hand accounts of people that have hiked the trail. Then I start to read about the trail in depth, the nitty gritty, you could say. Like how you have to use outhouses. If they are available. Otherwise, you have to bury your own poop. I might have discussed my bathroom issues in the past. I have a profound dislike, bordering on panicked fear of, port-a potties. And there are snakes, and spiders, and ticks, and rodents, and bears. And there are NO showers available for many, many, many miles.
By the time I'm done with my research, I've usually decided overnight hiking might not be my thing. But day hiking, that sounds like something I could do.
Thus the purpose of the story. Yesterday I went on a hike with my friend Jackie. I had recently bought a pair of hiking shoes and was excited to try them out. Lets just say that hiking shoes did not exactly prepare me for this hike but I was very happy to have them.
Our initial plan was to hike the Billy Goat Trail Section B. The Billy Goat Trail is located in Maryland and has amazing views of the Potomac River, especially Great Falls. It is divided into Sections A, B, and C. Section A is the most challenging and sections B and C are easier. Initially, Jackie and I had decided to do section B since I am an unexperienced hiker. Parking issues forced us to park in another parking lot that was closer to section A. Jackie got there first and had come up with a plan. She thought we should try out Section A. I mean, why not try the most difficult trail first and then every trail after that would seem easier??
Had I actually researched Section A, I might have reconsidered. Had I read the description located here http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/greatfallstraildescriptions.pdf, I might have reconsidered. Let me quote, "Strenuous. Be prepared for this trail. See cautions. It is very a physically demanding trail. Scrambling over angled rocks, boulders, and climbing are required."
Never one to back down from a challenge, off we headed in search of Section A.
The first part of the trail, I was optimistic. We were quickly off the "trail" and climbing over rocks. I thougt, Ok, I can do this. These rocks and boulders don't seem so bad. I even stopped to pose for pictures.
Not actually posing. Just trying to figure out where to put my feet.
Contemplating my next step.
Still contemplating. But willing to smile for a picture.
Oh, look at that view!! This is fun!!
Then there was the sign. The sign that signaled that I didn't have a clue what was ahead. It said something to the effect of "This part of the trail is extremely dangerous. Do not proceed if you are not in optimal health and physical condition, have adequate water and are a very experience hiker. A lot of people are injured and even die on this part of the trail every year. Take caution. This includes you Julia!" (I'm probably exaggerating here slightly. It might not have said anything about people dying. And I don't think my name was actually on the sign. It could have been. It's fuzzy now).
At this point, I questioned my "always willing to accept a challenge" but figured, hey, I'm in fairly good physical condition. I ran a 5K! And I have a camelback full of water! And snacks!! I'm all good, let's go.
Then there was this.
And I was all like
But at this point, it was either turn back and go over the rocks I'd already gone over, jump in the Potomac and swim back, or climb the damn rock.
So I climbed the damn rock. I even paused long enough for a picture (I may have been hanging on for dear life, trying like hell to catch my breath but at least I'm smiling)
And I made it to the top!! (Notice I'm sitting, my legs were like rubber and my heart was racing. Time for a snack.)
After this challenge, I thought we were good. You know, I climbed a damn rock wall!! But the rocks just kept on coming. We went up and we went down. Every time I made it over a set of rocks, I felt so happy and accomplished. And the trail would flatten out and we would walk on a path just long enough to get my hopes up that this punishment was over, and then ahead, I would see...MORE ROCKS!!!
There may have been some whining. There was most definitely some cursing. Jackie was extremely patient and a wonderful cheerleader. She promised me ice cream at the end (I think she knows me well). I apologize to her for every time I may have seemed less than appreciative (cheerful). There was the particular time that I was terrified by the prospect of climbing down a smaller rock wall and I just stood there, and when she asked me if I was ready to go, I said something to the effect of "NO, I'd rather not." Again, I apologize. Rock walls really bring out the best (worst) in people, huh...
I am proud to say that I made to the very end. The trail itself is 1.7 miles long but then you have to walk back to the visitors center. In total, it is 3.7 miles which means that after you finish crawling through 1.7 miles of rocks, you must walk approx. 2 miles back to the visitors center. They should consider a shuttle, I'm just saying. I contemplated taking down the park ranger and stealing his bike. I was pretty sure I could take him.
Once we made it to the parking lot, it started to pour down rain. I am so very thankful that it did not start raining sooner. The only thing worse than climbing over rocks is climbing over wet rocks. Jackie and I had a great lunch at Jetties and I had ice cream. Then I came home and had the most amazing shower ever.
Today, being able to look back on the experience and contemplate, I really did enjoy the hike. I am proud of myself for doing it. Yesterday, I swore that I would never step foot on the Billy Goat Trail Section A again. Ever. Now, I think, maybe I would do it again. Someday.
But first, I think I'll try Section B.
What I learned climbing Billy Goat Section A:
- Reconsider my stand on never turning down a challenge
- Climbing down rocks is actually a lot scarier than climbing up
- I am not scared of heights. But I am scared of jumping off (falling off) very high things
- I do not "shimmy down" very well. I also do not "spring" off of things
- Bring more water
- Bring more snacks
- When you find a tick on your arm during the hike, every itch for the next couple days will inspire a full scale tick search
- Showers are wonderful (I probably already knew that)
- Talk to the National Parks Service about a Shuttle. I mean, I'm surprised no ones thought of that before now.
- I actually do like hiking, but next time, I think I'll try a path without rocks.
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