Labor(filled) Day

I like to walk.  I like to run.  I like to hike.  In the Dominican I feel like in a given week I can log quite a few miles...some recreational and some by necessity...in sandals no less (ok, so not when I run).  I like to get out and hit the pavement..or the trail.  

So, it is a bit disheartening that a couple days back in Canada and I have run my shoed-and-socked feet ragged.  

Let me set the stage.  So Mike, Matthew and Darin set out on Labor Day to summit Golden Ears (Maple Ridge, BC).  Their guide book said it was an 11 hour round trip hike (24 kilometres, 1500m elevation gain) of quite mixed terrain.  The day was  overcast but the promise of sun breaking though was assured by all.  So the hikers stuffed their bodies full of carbs, stopped at  a gas station for some emergency rations (prepacked tuna salad and beef jerky..turns out they pair well).  

Mike, Matthew, and Darin got to the base (sounds too professional...really: parking lot) did our stretches and set off at an eager pace.  The hike started out great: Beautiful scenery, fresh air, crossing streams, guy time, and even some snow en route to make it very Canada-in-summer-unique.  About 6 kilometres into the trip Darin didn't quite clear a water blockade and now had 20 kilometres of hiking to enjoy with soaking feet--recipe for blisters he now knows.  With increased elevation came sweat turned cold and the promise of clearer skies being literally clouded over.  By the time we reached the summit we were "lost" (not "panic" lost just "not sure where we are" lost).  Matthew has cell signal so he called a friend who had successfully summited Golden Ears numerous times for directional advice.  His advice: you shouldn't be up there in those conditions.  Come down.

While this was somewhat disheartening given the hikers' proximity to the summit (ok, I realize I said the hikers were lost but they really were close!) it did come as good news as their bodies were needing warmth, food, and rest more than (so it felt for them at that time) more ascending.  Not too mention Darin was describing his feet as being jabbed with shards of glass.  Poor guy.

Ok, as an aside, Darin who wasn't sure about bringing his camera along did end up bringing it but at half way the batteries died so he carried a heavy useless camera adding insult to injury.

So, after a bit of a break, beef jerky, PB & Honey sandwiches, granola bars, and dark chocolate, the trekkers set off in the right direction for the base (with great thanks to the random hiker that they met who asked them if they were lost and guided them back to the shelter just below the summit).

Metres seemed like miles but 5 hours after leaving the "almost-summit" the weary hikers made it back to the car.  Shoes & socks were quickly removed and the car was subsequently filled with a corresponding odor.  Starbucks provided some needed warmth and nourishment and then bodies made it home and flopped.  T'was indeed a Labor(filled) Day.