White Caps

Ever climbed a mountain? It's pretty incredible. It's actually quite unenjoyable until you get to the top, or at whatever stage you determine to be the top. Well, that's my opinion anyhow.

Little did I know, when I fell head-over-heels in love, that 'my man' had a serious yearning for hiking and climbing. Sure, we talked about alot of things at the start of our fiery romance, but let's face it, who the hell listens during those 'swooning over wine and sex' times? I kinda figured he was exaggerating.

Right.

Needless to say, since our move out west, I have climbed a few mountains, or extremely large hills. And here's how it goes for me.

Day Before Day 1. Huzb gets everything sorted: Air-tight food, packs, water hydration systems, boots, gators (like waterproof shin pads for wading through swamps to save your legs from getting soaked) you name it! He preps it! And he is so excited about it all that it is literally contagious.

Usually at this point, I am freaking out as the possibility of this being a car-camping weekend fizzles. But at the same time, I'm very excited.

Day 1. Up very early, like 6:00am. As a joke I usually call him The Colonel, because he gets quite serious about the whole ordeal. Must get car packed. Must get on road. Must get to base camp before sun is up so we don't die of heatstroke half way up. Where are my maps? Must Find Maps. Have you seen my compass....you get the point. His attitude is founded mind you, afterall, we could DIE out there!!! I've learned to stay quiet until we are actually in the car. Heh.

Once on the hike, Huzb relaxes and quickly sets the pace for our usual 17km+ hike for the day. Except for the internal fear that I carry throughout the entire hike about bears and cougars and any other wildlife that might potnentially do great harm to us, I force myself to stay positive because I know that it's going to be worth it.

Half way through Day 1: I change my mind and think that it's NOT a good idea that we have done this. We are going to die, I'm going to fall off the side of the mountain, or get chased by large creature, Huzb is yelling at me to come check out what's up ahead, all I want to do is drop my 50 pound pack, suck on my hydration tube and eat trail mix. Through a substantial amount of sweat and tears I push on. It becomes a mental battle between giving in and perserveering, and as I stare up at the switchbacks in front of me I know this is the last of the worst. Legs burning, lungs inflating and deflating heavily with every slow-paced sturdy step I take, I breathe through the pain of gaining elevation and losing oxygen.

Ahead, I see the distant silhouette of Huzb. Standing tall, he drops his pack and wipes his brow. He turns back to smile at me and that gives me the final internal push I need to make it. I can't wait to see what he's seeing. I can't wait to put down this fucking pack. I can't wait to ....

Silence. Neither of us can say anything. Mountain ranges spill over eachother in the distance and are connected by flowing glacier water and melting snow caps. A swift breeze glides over the mountain flowers that are soaking in the afternoon sun, the air is crisp, pure and clean. I've never breathed in such clean air. I've never been happier to breath! And all aorund me is quiet. It is nature in it's purest form. Tasting the sweat from my upper lip I realize that what I've worked so hard for, is worth it.

Staring out my office window I can see the White Caps in the distance...I can't wait for Spring.