I am a fairly avid hiker. I try to go on a hike at least once a week and am in decent shape. There are people I meet on the trails that can run circles around me. I aspire to be like them someday. However, climbing to the tops of these peaks for the first times, sometimes I can forget to stop and smell the roses per se. I worry so much about the physical perseverance that I don't truly absorb what is going on around me. A very wise man that I met on the ascent of Baden-Powell earlier in the year put this situation into perspective. He said, “At my age, I'm glad to still be moving. Don't burn yourself out now, cause you won't be able to move when you get older like me.” The mountain isn't going anywhere, and there are always second chances to summit mountains. And third. And fourth, and so on. Breaking land-speed records isn't a requirement in this challenge. I really took that message to heart.

Then there's my girlfriend. She's as stubborn as a mule. Mentally tough as nails. Her highest peak to date… 3111 ft. Sandstone Peak in Malibu. I have only ever taken her on a handful of hikes. She was probably more excited about this hike than I was. We planned it for a few weeks in advance. How to combat the altitude, how to pace ourselves, the time-frame we had to complete it, and the point of no return should it get too late. The whole time she assured me that she was ready. I believed in her.

We got on the tram at 9 o'clock am, sharp. Spirits were high and it was a beautiful day. The walk down the ramp to the ranger station we joked about how it was going to be our worst nightmare, come our return to the station. At 9:30 we left the ranger station and embarked on our journey to the peak. Along the way, we were treated to spectacular sights and sounds. There were birds aplenty, and Round Valley Meadow was absolutely incredible. We took breaks there and at Wellman's Divide, where the view was spectacular. Our pace had been beating my expectations, which I had set low on purpose so I could relax and enjoy this hike. I wanted to take things slow. If we summited or not, regardless, I was just happy to be out hiking with the love of my life. On the final climb from Wellman's Divide to the peak, things started to drag. My trooper was falling a little behind. I asked her countless times if she was okay and she never showed signs of doubt although visibly fatigued. The altitude was starting to affect both of us as we climbed into the 10000-foot range. I was so proud of her for even making it that far. But I was also concerned. I wanted to be realistic, but she insisted. She was so close and was not going to back down now.

Then came that final scramble. Her breathing got a little harsh and she really slowled to a literal crawl up the final 100 yards over boulders to get the the summit one of the highest peaks in Southern California. We summited at 2:30 pm, after 5 hours of trekking and taking breaks. For some people that is the time it takes for them to get up AND down again. But that wasn't what mattered on that day. What mattered was very simple. We made it. More importantly, SHE made it. It proved to me that one of the most important tool that a hiker should posses is not physical. It is a good attitude. A strong will. A desire for a challenge, to improve oneself and to climb ever higher.

We returned to the tram station shortly after 6 pm, after tearing down the mountain. We also got to see many deer along the trail. Does with their fawns, and even a buck keeping a close eye on us and his mate. The forest and Round Valley became an even more serene experience in the late hours of the afternoon. This hike was definitely a stress releaser and a stress reliever for me. I also got to experience one of the best views I have ever seen in my life with my partner, who I plan to take on many more future adventures.

The Peaks restaurant was also magnificent. We decided to treat ourselves to a special dinner after our accomplishment. It did not disappoint. That and also the gift shop… cause you can't refuse a trip to a gift shop! This is a peak that I would love to do many times in the future and just to hike the San Jacinto Wilderness period. Calling this hike special would be an understatement.