Amazing Progress
Actually I went to Rocky Mountain National Park in CO and Medicine Bow in WY back in June. It was a blast and the amount of hiking I was able to do without pain was amazing. Hiked five miles round trip to get to Alberta Falls and beyond. 2.5 miles up and 2.5 miles down and not a single problem with breathing even at ten thousand feet!!! Also hiked a two mile trail through snow at eleven thousand feet. None of this was possible last year. I know because I tried and failed miserably. It was one of the motivating factors in deciding on this surgery. Next year I intend to get to the top of the two highest trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Both over 14 thousand feet. I am training now for the goal and have no doubt, for the first time in my life, that I will make it.
What an awesome adventure this has become.
Robert
Robert I bet that was an awesome thing!!!
I'm a newbie backpacker my self and know just what you mean about not making it on a trip. My very 1st trip I thought I was not going to get out on my own... I was lucky enough to be with 2 very exprienced packers and they convinced me to let a horse rider take me pack back up to the trail head for me, and I was able to walk out on my own... but I felt like a real failure having to do that... of course the other ladies understood and even offered to split my pack, before the horseman came by.. And I'm going back to that same trail in Oct or Nov just to prove to myself I can do!!! I'm also getting in my walkings and will start wearing my boots soon to get use to them again for the trail.
Good Luck!!! on you trip next year. I hope to be able to do bigger trips in the future, when I'm not such a newbie!!!
SherrieD
10.12.04
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