RunningAHEAD - Topic: Up on the mountain top

Mariposai

posted: 8/29/2008 at 1:37 AM
modified: 8/29/2008 at 2:14 AM

Running is my first passion, mountain climbing is my next. Oval Peak in Eastern Washington, with it's 8800ft elevation this mountain is a beauty from afar and it has been in my list to climb for over a decade. The difficulty of the climb and the need for a strong team to do it with has delayed my ascent to this mountain top for ever so long, but yesterday all things came together and I finally was able to see the world from the top of Oval Peak. This is the view from afar that has been calling my name for over 10 years. She is the highest peak you can see in this picture.

Our goal from afar After hiking 3 miles we to got 6500ft and this is what we saw by then we knew that we had a tough day ahead of us (I was thinking at this point that I made a huge mistake to run a 20 miler on Monday morning Black eye

This was not a technical climb, but rather a boulder to boulder fun. Shocked

This little trip took us 6 hours to get to the top. Of course we took every opportunity for rest Smile

...and to take pictures of our climbing team...see the highest peak in the background...that is our next goal.

only those who dare to climb can see these peaks.

After much hard work we finally made it to the top. Thanks to the fine escort I had I was finally able to see the world from the top of Oval Peak Smile

Unfortunately like any other pinnacle ascents one has to go back down. It took us 4 hours to get back to the car, but by that time we were all literally dead...it was a silent march back down...the body was aching everywhere, the mind was tired, but the spirit was soaring like an eagle. This sure was a test to my butterfly wings...but we survived!!!!

"Champions are everywhere; all you need is to train them properly..." ~Arthur Lydiard

WillRunForBeer

posted: 8/29/2008 at 4:49 AM

Tough work but loads of fun and oh, what views. Thanks for sharing the pictures, Mariposai.

Lou, (aka Mr. predawnrunner), MD, USA | Lou's Brews | lking@pobox.com

Holly S.

Marathon Maniac #957

posted: 8/29/2008 at 6:15 AM

Oh Nancy, I only dream of such things...what a wonderful adventure! Maybe someday when my kids are older I can talk them into doing this with me. Smile

Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

halllar

posted: 8/29/2008 at 7:13 AM

You are quite a woman. You are on the go constantly. Where do you get all the energy? Thank you for sharing these with us. Larry

Chumbawamba: I get knocked down But I get up again You're never going to keep me down

The Jogger

posted: 8/29/2008 at 7:17 AM

Amazing! what stunning views!!!!!!Thanks for sharing these pics. Roy

nowor

posted: 8/29/2008 at 8:47 AM

Wonderful views...especially w/ your huge smiles thru out the ~~ordel~~ fun!. Thanks for sharing. What's next?

Spareribs

King of PhotoShop

posted: 8/29/2008 at 8:49 AM

That was awesome. I got to climb to the top of the mountain without doing any work! Spareribs

huskydon

posted: 8/29/2008 at 8:53 AM

Pictures are priceless! Congratulations! huskydon

coastwalker

posted: 8/29/2008 at 9:08 AM

Thanks for sharing the amazing photos from your spectacular adventure. You had what appears to be a gorgeous day and breath-taking views. Congratulations on achieving your goal of 10 years! Jay

Without ice cream there would be darkness and chaos.

Barefoot Rick

Barefoot Runner

posted: 8/29/2008 at 9:50 AM

What an accomplishment! Those boulder fields gave me achy pains all over again from my mountain climbing experiences. Ah ... but the view! Thanks for the wornderful pics! BR

Romans 10:15 - How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!
http://barefootrunner.org

wildchild

Carolyn

posted: 8/29/2008 at 11:36 AM

Quote from Mariposai on 8/29/2008 at 1:37 AM:

Running is my first passion, mountain climbing is my next.

I'm not sure if running or mountain climbing is my first passion - luckily, I don' t have to choose! And trail running in the mountains is the best of both worlds. Although it doesn't look like your rocky hike would have been so good for trail running... Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!

_{I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.}

evanflein

posted: 8/29/2008 at 1:59 PM

What an amazing journey. I can see why you'd be thinking about Monday's 20 miler (which was hard at the time, right?) when you were climbing that peak. Thanks for sharing these stunning pictures.

hopeful4ever

Mr. Chip & Mizz Rizzo

posted: 8/29/2008 at 2:15 PM

Wow - absolutley beautiful! My legs are aching for you just thinking of the climb. Your peak looks so far away in that one photo - 3 miles yet to get there. Thanks for sharing with us.

~Mary

"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dog's eyes."

~unknown

http:www.rawleypointkennel.com

enkephalin

posted: 8/29/2008 at 4:44 PM

Hey, just looking at one of those pictures made me dizzy! Thanks for sharing your "peak" experience with us. How was the air up there? Was there enough for everyone to breathe? I am afraid I am too much of a wuss to try something like that...but maybe someday.

"During a marathon, I run about two-thirds of the time. That's plenty." - Margaret Davis, 85 Ed Whitlock regarding his 2:54:48 marathon at age 73, "That was a good day. It was never a struggle."

deez4boyz

posted: 8/29/2008 at 5:21 PM

amazingly beautiful -- looks like a perfect day!!

denise

Masters Running

Up on the mountain top (Read 256 times)