Reemerging

The plane touched down at PHL on Tuesday August 21^st at 7:43PM. Nothing says welcome home like a hot, sticky Philadelphia night. 

This trip to Glacier was different than my past visits. This was Glacier on my own terms. My brother and his girlfriend accompanied me, but were gracious enough to allow me to do my own thing.  I covered nearly 60 miles in five days, on my own. It was the best experience I've had in the park so far. I brought a few things with me that I needed to leave there and along the way, I gained more than expected.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

- John Muir

Totals

Five Waterfalls: Ptarmigan, Apikuni, Baring, St Mary's, Virginia

Five Lakes: Grinnell, Ptarmigan, Iceberg, Avalanche, Hidden

Six Glaciers: Jackson, Grinnell, Salamander, Old Sun, Sexton, Siyeh

Six Wild Huckleberry Wheat Lagers

Nine Double Decker Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches

Three Grizzly Bears, Four Mountain Goats, Two Moose, One Rainbow and several Marmots, Chipmunks and Ground Squirrels.

On Thursday night we were heading into the Many Glacier section of the park and came across several cars, stopped by the side of the road. Everyone was staring into the field at a grizzly sow and her cub. We stood there for several minutes, watching as they made their way across the field, into a wooded area until they were no longer visible. When they were gone from sight, the crowd dispersed and headed back to their vehicles. I watched as they drove off. Several were in large, gas guzzling vehicles, towing campers with propane tanks and cases of bottled water attached to a cargo tray. It seemed a bit ironic. I wondered if any of these people had watched “Tapped” or “An Inconvenient Truth.” I wondered if any of these people would return to the comforts of their home changed by their Glacier experience as much as I have been.

The Glacier Experience: Whitewater Rafting and Whitefish

Day 6: Whitewater rafting on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, courtesy of Glacier Raft Company, followed by lunch at the Great Northern Brewery in Whitefish, MT.

Lesson learned: Purchasing two six packs of Wild Huckleberry Wheat Lager seemed like an excellent idea after drinking a flight of beer with my lunch. Finding a way to pack them all into my luggage securely later that evening proved to be a challenge. I am happy to report that all 12 bottles made it back to PHL intact.

Whitefish Highlight: A stop at the Red Caboose for frozen yogurt after lunch. HGTV is my favorite channel and House Hunters is my favorite show. A few months ago, there was an episode which featured a couple from Montana who are the owners the Red Caboose.

The Glacier Experience: Waterfalls and Avalanche Lake

Day 5: Apikuni Falls, Baring Falls, St. Mary's Falls, Virginia Falls and Avalanche Lake AKA as hiking all day with a wedgie.

Originally, the plan for the day was a 10.8 mile hike to Otokomi Lake. After speaking with a Park Ranger, who informed me that the hike would be hot and very buggy, I opted for several smaller hikes to waterfalls and Avalanche Lake. It was probably a wise decision, not only to avoid the heat and bugs, but also because I was suffering with an eternal wedgie, courtesy of my last pair of clean pants and undies.

Favorite View: Apikuni Falls

You're able to get so close that you can almost stand underneath it.

And it makes pretty rainbows...

Lesson learned: After five days of consecutive hiking, walking up hill is definitely more pleasant than walking down hill and anything is more pleasant than hiking with a wedgie.

The Glacier Experience: Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake

Day 4: Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake
 

This is my favorite view in the park. I had it entirely to myself for at least twenty minutes.
 

Lesson learned: Glacier water tastes like melted snow

Sometimes the best moments are the ones you can't capture in a photograph...while I was sitting on the rocks, taking in my favorite view I heard a rumbling behind me. It was an avalanche. I quickly grabbed my camera, but it had stopped by the time I was able to record. A few moments later, I heard the noise again, watched and enjoyed.

It was still early when I arrived at the junction for Grinnell Lake, so I made the turn and logged in a few more flat miles. Thankfully, the lake was much less buggy than it was during my last visit. I actually was able to sit for a few moments and enjoy it.

The Glacier Experience: Ptarmigan Tunnel and Iceberg Lake

Day 3: Ptarmigan Tunnel (passing Ptarmigan Falls and Ptarmigan Lake) AND Iceberg Lake

Favorite View: Coming out on the other side of the tunnel was a surreal experience. I stood there, took it all in and said out loud "Wow, this is awesome!" The view was all mine for nearly half an hour until another hiker joined me. It was so quiet that the only thing that could be heard were the sound of my footsteps, walking down the trail to see Old Sun Glacier.

The view on the other side wasn't that bad either...

Lesson learned: Mental toughness

The trip to Ptgarmigan Tunnel was strenuous. On the way down, I reached the junction for Iceberg Lake. Left would take me back to the trailhead, right would add close to five more miles onto the trip, but come with a view of Iceberg Lake. I turned right, promising myself a reward (coffee and donut holes) for the additional effort, but the view alone was worth it.

This was my favorite hike. The trip to the tunnel had stops at Ptarmigan Falls and Ptarmigan Lake, which broke up things nicely. It made the additional, afternoon walk over to Iceberg Lake feel relatively flat and easy. The Lake was a cool 38 degrees and had considerably more ice in it than the last time I visited, but that didn't stop people from jumping in for a swim.

The Glacer Experience: Hidden Lake and Highline to Haystack

Day 2: Hidden Lake and Highline to Haystack  

Surprisingly, I wasn't sore upon waking. I attribute this to the more forgiving nature of the trails in the park. It's definitely a more pleasant jaunt than on any section of the AT I've hiked. 

The trail to Hidden Lake is short and easily accessible, which makes it crowded. I used it as my warm up for an afternoon hike on the Highline Trail. At the overlook, there was a mountain goat hanging out in the shade. It was the closest I came to big wildlife. 

A quick stop at the car, a peanut butter and banana sandwich and I was on my way. This trip wouldn't have been complete without a walk on the Highline Trail. The Highline to The Loop was my favorite hike of the 2010 trip to Glacier. A few months later, I got the coordinates of the trailhead tattooed onto the inside of my left forearm. Needless to say, the first few steps were emotional.

Favorite View...

Lesson learned: The ink was definitely worth it. 

The Glacier Experience: Siyeh Pass

Day 1: Siyeh Pass 

The morning began at the Apgar Transit Center, with transfers at Avalanche Lake and Logan pass before reaching the trail head at Siyeh Bend. 

The specifics: 10.3 miles, 2240 feet elevation gain with a top elevation of 8080 feet. Travel time was approximately 4 and 1/2 hours with a stop for lunch at the pass. 

Favorite View...

Lesson learned: Initially, I was frustrated by the overcast skies. This was touted as one of the prettiest hikes in the park, but I couldn't see much. At the top of the pass, visibility was extremely limited.

Today I learned to appreciate the wildflowers because they were some of the only things that could be seen. I am thankful for the experience because I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to them otherwise.

the things you think you need

Sometimes, life teaches us painful lessons. The past year and a half has felt like a never-ending learning experience. I’ve grown, changed and come to understand the difference between what I really need and what I think I need.

Nowhere else has this become more apparent to me than on the trail. Whenever I feel like I am losing sight of what really matters, I make it a point to take a walk in the woods.

Last night I was packing for a camping trip in Montana. It is the third time I have prepared for a trip of this nature. Each time, I’ve brought less with me. Miles and miles of walking, alone...miles and miles of thinking...miles and miles of drifting off into the beauty that surrounds me has taught me so much about the things I really need.

if the shoe fits

Lately, it feels like I am wearing shoes that are two sizes too big for my feet. This isn’t necessarily a problem when I am walking at a slow, comfortable pace...but more often than not, the past few weeks have felt like a race. Running makes it all the more obvious that my shoes don’t fit.

This leaves me with two options; the first is to find a smaller pair of shoes; the second is to slow it down to that comfortable pace and wait for my feet to grow. I’ve elected to do the latter. I’m thankful for the trust and patience that others have shown me during this period of growth.

Random Philly Finds Part X

borrowed time

Yesterday, I was in the car listening to music. A song came on that I had never heard, but one line jumped out at me “Love like I’m on borrowed time.” There is no better reminder of this than when someone you care about passes away unexpectedly.

Sometimes it’s a struggle to love that way. The people that we care about will test our boundaries and push us to our limits...but it's worth it because it allows you to live with no regrets.

For me, that means to be patient and kind; to never let anger get the best of me; to offer forgiveness regardless of the circumstances and to never take someone for granted. It invokes a sense of peace in knowing that, at the end of the day, I have done everything that I can to show the people in my life that I care.

Never waste an opportunity to tell someone that you love them. After all, when it comes down to it, aren’t we all on borrowed time?

The Tumbleweave Diaries