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Rock scrambling
Dec. 10th, 2007 10:03 amI decided I was going to get out and get some exercise this weekend, so on Saturday I went rock scrambling in the Palisades with Dynamic Outdoors. I've never been rock scrambling before and always avoided it because it sounded, well, hard. And it was. At least it was for me. There were only 9 of us and I was by far the slowest, hugging each rock like Gollum while everyone seemed to be skipping along easily. The trip leaders were both very patient with me and tried to be helpful, though I still am not very confident. It's one of those situations where I want to say "I'll never do that again!" but know that doing it again and again is the only way to get better at it.
And as if the rock scrambling/boulder climbing/walking sideways on a steep cliff covered with slush and slippery leaves wasn't enough, the hike ended with a steep climb up a path with steps set into the side of the cliff. Which of course everyone else made it up without much effort. I, on the other hand, huffed and puffed up each step, angry all the way at myself for being so out of shape, wondering how everyone else could be in so much better shape, and trying to decide if I should (a) collapse on the ground dramatically upon reaching the top or (b) act like it was nothing. I chose b. :b I don't think anybody was fooled but a positive attitude and sense of humor is always appreciated.
( I took pictures. )
I'm glad I went, even though each of these hikes tends to be an exercise in humiliation for me. I have to get in better shape if I want my trip to Machu Picchu to be anything but miserable. A girl on the hike on Saturday told me that when she went to Machu Picchu, the altitude gave her the worst headache of her life and made her nauseous. And this girl barely seemed to break a sweat on our hike. So, lovely. I will have to prep myself with Pepto, painkillers, and drink lots of coca tea. I hope I don't get too sick. But hey, it's all an adventure, right? You gotta take chances.
My whole body aches today but that's no surprise. I wish I could say I was going to make myself go hiking more this winter but it's just so damn slippery out there...I'm going to have to join a gym if I want to get in shape.
And as if the rock scrambling/boulder climbing/walking sideways on a steep cliff covered with slush and slippery leaves wasn't enough, the hike ended with a steep climb up a path with steps set into the side of the cliff. Which of course everyone else made it up without much effort. I, on the other hand, huffed and puffed up each step, angry all the way at myself for being so out of shape, wondering how everyone else could be in so much better shape, and trying to decide if I should (a) collapse on the ground dramatically upon reaching the top or (b) act like it was nothing. I chose b. :b I don't think anybody was fooled but a positive attitude and sense of humor is always appreciated.
( I took pictures. )
I'm glad I went, even though each of these hikes tends to be an exercise in humiliation for me. I have to get in better shape if I want my trip to Machu Picchu to be anything but miserable. A girl on the hike on Saturday told me that when she went to Machu Picchu, the altitude gave her the worst headache of her life and made her nauseous. And this girl barely seemed to break a sweat on our hike. So, lovely. I will have to prep myself with Pepto, painkillers, and drink lots of coca tea. I hope I don't get too sick. But hey, it's all an adventure, right? You gotta take chances.
My whole body aches today but that's no surprise. I wish I could say I was going to make myself go hiking more this winter but it's just so damn slippery out there...I'm going to have to join a gym if I want to get in shape.
