A Sense of Achievement

Where to begin with this hike…

Humphreys Peak is my second to last summit in this challenge, and it reminds me of several of the ones I have already done. The first two thirds of the hike remind me of Bill Williams, forested with alternating stretches of rock stairs and dirt paths. The last third, mostly above the tree line, is all rough lava rock and brought back less than fond memories of the ragged, uneven and relentless hike up Mount Elden. And to round it out, the shear length reminded me of Kendrick Peak, who stood proud in autumnal glory in the backdrop of much of this hike.

I left the trailhead at 9am and got back at 7pm. I’m a slow hiker, and this was a tough hike, but even I didn’t expect it to take me that long. I had planned to do this hike two weeks earlier, but unexpected September storms delayed me, and let me tell you, the wind above the tree line in October is numbingly cold! The forest service said gusts were estimated at 50 mph and I believe it! Weirdly, just before I reached the summit, the winds died out entirely, like I had climbed above the weather itself.

About 95% of the way to the top, just past one of the numerous false summits, I had my first moment of doubt during this entire challenge. I couldn’t yet see the true peak, I was exhausted and cold, and was forced to rest by a cramp. I forced myself to eat and drink and I told myself I was turning around in one hour, no matter if I had made it or not.

35 minutes later I reached the top.

This hike was incredible for me. It is the only one I have done solo this far, and it tested me in countless ways. I often look back fondly on the hikes I’ve done on this challenge -not you, Elden- but this hike feels different. There was a camaraderie at the summit that felt different, more like when I completed a Tough Mudder years back than with the hikers I’d met on the other peaks this Summer. I felt a level of pride that the other mountains hadn’t inspired, and that honestly caught me by surprise.

In the end, this trail beat me up emotionally and physically -I did eat rocks several times, and broke one of my trekking poles on the way down- and sure, I was hiking in the dark for the last half mile, but with time to prepare, I would definitely hike Humphreys Peak again.