In our efforts to get out on more hikes this summer and to condition ourselves for maybe some more ambitious climbing efforts, we decided to do the Table Mountain hike. I (Matt I am) had read about Table Mountain but never managed to get to it, partly because it has such a long hike in before the climbing starts. According to our guide book, the round trip to the summit is 15 miles.
Some advice for the male species...if you are trying to lovingly encourage your spouse to become more enthused about backpacking and climbing, going on a hike that nearly doubles the longest hike you've done in the recent past is not the best way to start. Yes, by the time we made our way to the top and were just beginning on our way back, my beautiful, gentle and demure wife exclaimed, "This sucks! I am done with hiking!" Each exclamation was perfectly synchronized with a savage blow of her walking stick to the ground. Now, it must be said that this came about because we just finished a somewhat long and treacherous stretch of 'controlled falling' down a loose rock slope. Kristi does not easily come to this state of mind.
Oh, and tip#2-make sure you bring plenty of water. I know most of you are smart enough to think of this on your own, but there it is. If you blow tips #1 and #2 like I did, you can always fall back on tip #3 - take your now annoyed and wiped out spouse for a tasty ice cream or TCBY treat. If you are really in a jam, tell her about the treat while you are still hiking. For best results, however follow all 3 tips, you'll have more fun.
Actually, the hike is spectacular if you've done a 10 plus mile hike recently (or you were born after 1985 and are not familiar with the concept of aches and pains). The views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood are tremendous and the south side of Table Mountain literally drops straight down from the summit giving you a temporary case of vertigo. The vertical walls are a result of the Boneville landslide which fell away to the south towards the Columbia River, leaving a severe scarp. I am sure we will do this again for another epic adventure.
3 comments:
Even better than TCBY or ice cream would be a trip to the spa! Good job Kristi - I can relate. :o)
It was great to catch up with you too! Great photos and amazing views!
Wow...I am so impressed! Just think Matt how much better it would have been if I had come along. You know how I love the outdoors and how well I handle things like that....better yet we should have brought the girls too....
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