Blog Abandoned

 I started this blog 4-years ago.

Then, ABANDONED it!

Since, I have traversed through some pretty intense medical issues. 

In 2018, I had two back to back emergency surgeries removing multiple 5mm+ kidney stones, then my body went into kidney failure and eventually succumbed to sepsis. Once overcoming this myriad of urgent and serious conditions, I promptly quit my 18-year career of being an educator. I decided there was more to my life than the cruel circumstances of public education. 

I decided I'd go hiking. 

I started the CT (Colorado Trail) wishing upon a thru hike, but only made it through segments 1 & 2 and had major trail fails. Dang! REGROUP.

Back to work. Time to figure out another plan. 

Blog, Still DESERTED!

In the fall of 2018, I went to work for the Department of Human Services. What was I thinking!? As if public education was not enough abuse to my psyche, I was going to double dip! YIKES! 

My run away from this horrific job was to hike! The summer of 2019, I decided I was not a thru hiker, rather a segment hiker. I went back out and hiked Segments 3&4 of the CT. Yeah! Success. 

Blog still silenced.

However, also in Summer 2019, I was struggling with hiking. Struggling with breathing, leg cramps, lightheadedness, etc. I had no idea what was "wrong" with me, but knew something was. Shortly, I was diagnosed with Stage IV, Inoperable colon cancer and given a death sentence of 2-years with chemo only. I was looking at the barrel of death, for real this time - just in case sepsis was not warning enough.

Within a couple weeks, I decided this dx had to be absolutely incorrect and sought out a second opinion. When I got my 2nd opinion, the oncological surgeon asked me what I was passionate about. He wanted me to focus on a passion to get through the cancer/chemo journey. My answer was simple...Trails. Hiking Trails. That was my passion. He literally told me he'd have me back out on the trails by the following year.

During months of negotiating surgery recovery and chemo, I kept focus on my passion. Trails. I binged on watching and reading hiking/backpacking gear and trail videos, vlogs and blogs. I was going to be outside and hike trails, again.

Welcome to 2020! Pandemic?! Covid-19!? Yes, I was concerned, but I had a passion which had now turned into a mission. To celebrate the One year of being wheeled out of colon resectioning surgery (unable to even walk 6' from my bed to my bathroom the prior year) I WAS INDEED back on the trail. I went back out to the CT and hiked segment 5. That's all I had in me at the time, but I did it!

Blog Quiet!

Wait....it's now 2021 and I'm back to my babbling! Any, YES. My Maisie girl is still with me.

Maisie's Walk without asking Mommy!

I was hanging out on the porch with Mom and the neighbor today.  The neighbor went home and Mom went in to do something and left me on the porch.  Mom was gone for quite a while, so I decided I'd just go check out the neighbor's house.  I've never really been there before.  I followed the way he went, went to his door, sniffed around. It wasn't too exciting, so I walked to the next house.  I saw my across the street neighbor and her dog watching me, so I figured she would tell my Mom that I was just down the street.  I decided I would keep exploring the houses and yards as I walked down the street, around the corner and OUGHT OH!  I'm not sure where I am.

"Maisie, Maisie!"  I hear my Mommy calling.  I look up and there she is in her car.  I'm so excited to see her.  I love my Mommy!  I B-Line it for her car, jump right in on her lap and love her up.

My Mommy gives me tons and tons of Love back.  She starts driving us home and I can't believe she is letting me ride in the front seat.  This is pretty cool!

We get home and Mommy shuts the garage before she even lets me out of the car.  Then, she leashes me up and takes me in the house.  Yippee!  I'm so happy to be home.  Where's my water!?

Drink, drink, drink!

My Boots Were Made for Hiking! Vasque Women Breeze 2.0 Gtx Boot

Vasque Women Breeze 2.0 Gtx Boot Several Hundred Miles Later!

When I first started taking hiking seriously, meaning more than walking the dog in the oversized dog park, I started thinking about gear.  Knowing I was just coming off of 9-months in a walking boot due to a fibula break, I decided the best place to start would be with good ankle support.  Therefore, I started looking for a good hiking boot.

I have a narrow foot, so as with all shoes, I figured this was going to be a hard find.  Additionally, I did not want to feel like I was going to be wearing around heavy-laden hoofs, as I like to feel as if I am in control of my feet and not my feet in control of me.  Lastly, I was planning on hiking in 3-seasons, so I wanted one piece of gear that would be good for all three, including creek crossing as is often necessary during runoff.

Having my expectations in mind, I started my shopping on the internet.  First, I looked at 2016 reviews of women's specific hiking boots on several different sites.  I compiled a list of the top 5-boots that fit the profile I was looking for from these sites and headed out to the stores to try fit and compare local prices.  

For me, it was an easy deduction due to fit, as it only came down to two boots with a narrow enough footbed that would work with a thin hiking sock.  Sure, a lot of the salespeople wanted me to try on the boots with a thick hiking sock, especially since it was November, but you have to think of all seasons when you are purchasing gear.  I took one of my thin socks with me, so I was going to make a informed decision.  With that, I took photos of the two boots' boxes labels, prices, etc. and went home.

From there, I went on the internet and started comparison shopping for prices.  This immediately led me to one boot over the other.  After all, I am getting my first piece of hiking gear, and I am not Daddy Warbucks!  Upon making my choice, I searched further on prices on the one particular boot and ended up saving about $50 from ordering the exact boot off the internet, rather than in-store.  Obviously, this was not impulse shopping!

The boot I ended up with now has several hundred hardcore hiking miles on it and I am so thrilled with my decision.  

I purchased the Vasque Women Breeze 2.0 Gtx Boot.  These are my experiences and why I am still a fan of my boot.

• It is waterproof, and I have absolutely tested this with many creek crossings, as well as hiking in downpours. 

• It provides ankle stability.  I have maxed this test out.  I'm rather sure with the rocky, rooted terrain I hike if I did not have this superior support I would have been stranded with sprained ankles, or possibly another fibula break.

• The soles offer cushioning, stability, and traction.  I rarely slip on scree, or loose terrain.  I have great grip when I scramble over rocks and boulders, and I just put over 10-miles on with a bruised toe (I did night before) and didn't even feel pain!  

• Breathability.  My feet do not overheat, even in 90+ degrees with a thick hiking sock!

• Athletic fit. This allows quick movement and easy scrambling, no jamming of the toe box and my ankle does not slip.  I have yet to have any blisters!  

Boots cushioned bruised toe. Didn't even feel it.
Bruised night prior, not from hiking!

Thus far, I love my boots and I believe I made an excellent choice in footwear!  💚💚

Ultralight Backpacking

I am reading to learn.  Anyone else have any good ideas or suggestions?

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ultralight-backpacking.html

Mount Rosa (#673)

Fourth of July!  Yippee!  Celebrate my Freedom!  Plan - Get the heck out of town and away from Ridiculousness, Noise, Drunks, and just plain Stupid.  Easy enough.

As per usual, I had decided the night prior what hike I'd be taking and printed out my Caltopo map.  That is usually the max of my planning, but it is usually perfectly minimal as I like it.

I prepped myself with a good breakfast of three scrambled eggs, red bell peppers, cheese covered in salsa and toast. Oh yeah!  Along with that, I started to hydrate myself, trying to get in 750 ml water before I headed out. I have yet to accomplish this, but it is the goal.   

I packed up my bag with my first aid kit, water, snacks, rain jacket, puppy treats, poop bags, ID, glasses and other sundries, grabbed my maps off the printer, grabbed Maisie's harness and leash, topped myself off and with keys in hand Maisie and I headed out for our adventure.

Using Google Maps, I followed the directions through town to Upper Gold Camp Road and on to Forest Service Road 379.  When I reached FSR 379, I attempted to navigate this road, but quickly decided to turn around and park at the junction of Upper Gold Camp Road and FSR 379 deciding I did not want to get stuck and to pursue FSR 379.  An SUV is necessary and although I think Betsy is an SUV, she is getting a bit old to play as hard as she used to.  

FSR 379. No doubt Betsy would bottom out!

In any event, as I was driving along on Upper Gold Camp Road, I began to feel nauseous.  I wasn't sure if I was dehydrated, ate something bad, felt sick by the motion of the curvy, bumpy road, or having hot flashes!  Regardless, I was just feeling crummy.

Oh well, I had already driven over an hour to get to this destination so I was not going to let a little nausea stop my hike.  Shorten it, maybe; but I was going to hike.

Maisie and I got out of the car and started down FSR 379.  As we headed down this almost 2 mi. road and it seems that every 10 ft. or so, I was leaning over puking.  Each time I took another sip of water, I'd purge a bit more.  I decided that I had eaten some bad red bell peppers and the only way to feel better was to get rid of them, so hopefully I'd be rid of them by the end of 2 miles.

Aha!  For the most part, I believe I overcame the red bell peppers just prior to the trailhead of Nelson's Trail (#672).

Click here to read my Hiking Project trail review and see more photos:  Nelson's Trail (#672)

“A steep steady climb that is heavily rooted, rutted, and rocky, giving access to Mount Rosa Summit Trail (#673).”  — K Keiter

Nelson's Trail (#672). Finally arrived, finally done puking!

Nelson's Trail (#672) from FSR 379 to the trailhead of Mount Rosa kicked my butt, but I suppose hiking an advanced trail after chucking for 2 mi. in 80 plus degrees at an elevation of 10,000 ft and above would probably do that anyway.  With that said, when I reached the Mount Rosa (#673) trailhead and had a short break my thought was I'm here, I'm doing it.

Maisie and I headed up to the summit of Mount Rosa.  Mount Rosa (#673) was easier than Nelson's Trail (#672), but my legs were fatigued from the serious incline over roots, rocks and ruts, so I took several quick breaks to catch my breath and sip some water.  Before long, Maisie and I were atop Mount Rosa.  Maisie and I had made it to the summit (11,499 ft.).

Click here to read my Hiking Project trail review and see more photos:  Mount Rosa (#673)

“An outstanding out and back trail to the summit of Mount Rosa (11499 ft).”  — K Keiter

Maisie and Mommy at the summit of Mount Rosa (11,499 ft.)

Maisie and I spent a few minutes with me taking photos and yelling "Woohoo!" before we started to head back down from the summit.  I felt great!  It was quite an accomplishment and my goal was to hit the summit before 5:30 p.m., which we did.  Time to head back.  I did not want to be on the trail in the dark.  No bears for me!

Maisie and I made back down to the Nelson's Trail (#672) junction and decided it was time for a short snack.  She had a pouch of tuna, we split a Kind bar, and I had almost an entire bag of dried apricots.  We drank a lot of water, then just sat a few minutes catching our breath.  I never like to sit too long, as my legs tighten up quick.  Next, I took a quick pee break and we started down Nelson's Trail (#672).  

Maisie devouring her tuna pouch.

Going back has always been faster than going out and luckily for us, this day was no exception.  Maisie and I got to the car about 7 p.m. and started to head back home.  What we learned is that Upper Gold Camp Road, close to the city is a highly sought place to park and watch fireworks.  It was a bit difficult trying to get back onto the paved roads, but once we managed it was a pretty quick ride home.

The pup and I were so tired neither of us were bothered by the fireworks.  I didn't see any of them.  ZONK!    

St. Mary Falls Trail (#624)

Hiking with a friend...Not such a bad thing, after all!  

On June 30, I met up with my friend, Nancy J. at noon and we headed toward 7 Bridges Trail (#622).  Unfortunately, it was closed due to bridge repair.  Be that as it may, we elected to head up St. Mary Falls Trail (#624).  

Follow the link to REI Hiking Project for my submission St. Mary Falls Trail (#624).  It is clearly a divine trail.

“A rambling trail through timbers leading to bottom of falls, then ascends to higher view of falls and Colorado Springs.”  — K Keiter

Nancy and Reggie catching sight of the waterfall.

Inviting a Friend

Prepping for tomorrow's hike.

I'm a solo hiker with pup, but tomorrow will be something new for Maisie and me as it will be the first hike that I've invited a friend to go with.

Unlike my usual, I'm a grab and go, harness, leash, clicker, water, snacks and we are out the door kind of hiker.  Today, I had to P-L-A-N for meeting up with someone for the excursion tomorrow.  That included communicating if dogs were going and how they would cope with one another, and setting a meet time and place.  While it really was not a lot of planning, it certainly was more than I am used to as a soloist.