Dirt Diva

"You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dream."
FINALLY!!!! Yes after trying to get up Mt. Whitney 2 other times this year I made it. Third times a charm.
In June there was way to much snow and I was not skilled in self arrest so bailed heading up towards the chute.
Just looking at that, I thought going up is no biggie, but coming down I could die.
Try number two was in July, driving out to Lone Pine my roommate got a call the house had been robbed so we drove back home.
This time come hell or high water we would make it up the mountain and we did.
We had a plan to summit Mt. Muir too but the boulder field looked sketchy to me since I was a little loopy from the altitude I think. It is a class 3+ climb which normally I shouldn't have not had an issue but I had a headache and just didn't feel comfortable.
I came to the conclusion later that I need to summit Mt. Muir first then head to Whitney. The 3 reports I read were of people doing Muir first then walking the easy trail to the top of Whitney. Metal note that's what I will do next time.
I was happy to have made my 7th summit with max on my pack. He too has been up 7 times although it wasn't the same Max it was his smaller brother ;-))))
The next day the plan was New Army pass to Langley. My back was hurting pretty much when we got going. My pack was pressing on my lower back and it was uncomfortable. I had slipped coming down Whitney so I must of hurt it then. That's the only thing I can think of.
We headed up to the lakes and to the base of New Army pass. The weather was a bit iffy and it actually hailed a little on us. I saw the clouds forming and was not feeling great about heading up. My back was really hurting but I was still trying to push myself. Some guys were coming down saying they saw lightening. The clouds were looking scary and I realized if I went up and had to out run a storm I couldn't do it since my back was killing me.
I told Jerry to head up and I turned around.
I have spent a lot of time in the Sierras and know that I hate being caught in storms something I have dealt with so many times.
I know the mountains will always be there for me to return. So down I went.

I had fun even though I didn't make Langley I will get it done next time. The Sierras are a magical place for me and they were a huge part on shaping me into the wilderness girl that I am. They helped save me after my mothers death and my divorce. I will spend many more years to come exploring in those mountains.
There will always be a force that draws me into them.
I am looking forward to being out in them next year for 30 days ;-)))