We started hiking in the dark, 5am. I've never really hiked in the dark much, so i was a little apprehensive. I got used to it pretty quick. It was warm for pre-dawn. I have a love/hate relationship with Icehouse canyon because it's so rocky, but the views are worth it.
Hiking to the saddle-piece of cake. The sun came out and it was pleasantly warm. Lots of familiar sights. Then the fun started… I've never been on the trail leading to the peak. It was an upwards climb in a short distance. The sun started to beat down. I started to doubt my abilities. My new hiking friend Tito kept encouraging me, allowing me to rest when needed-but not for too long, which in the end, really helped. The last 1/2 mile was a brutal climb! But I could see the summit, and slowly made it to the top. Slow, but constant…and I made it.