A Cautionary Tale

While we were in Utah this summer I decided I wanted to hike Mt. Olympus with Zach. I'm not exactly sure what possessed me to think this would be a good idea but after much thought I have come up with 3 reasons:

1. I grew up in the shadows of Mt. Olympus. I feel like it is my mountain. Just looking at it makes me feel safe. It's the happy place of my youth.

2. I was an incredibly lazy teenager who always said I hated hiking. I actually hated anything that had the potential to make me sweat. Thankfully, I have matured some and have realized that I really love to work out. I have been able to do things that my teenage self would never have thought possible, like run...a lot. However, up until June I had never climbed a sizeable mountain. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I could be a hiker.

3. I love my husband. His fitness level is amazing. He can do things I would never dream of doing. He's basically an endurance rock star. He inspires me to push myself.

So, on our last day in Utah we decided to get up early, do a session at the temple and then enjoy a hike to the top of my beloved Mt. Olympus. We learned (the hard way) a few things that I would like to share about hiking this mountain. Think of it as advice from one hiker to another.

DO NOT: Assume that you are in better shape than the people who put together the hiking guides. An average 25% incline for 3 miles is "strenuous" just like they said.

DO NOT: Start hiking at noon on the hottest day of the year. Take it as a sign that you started too late when everyone you see on the trail is on their way back down. (With the exception of 2 shirtless party boys who take frequent smoking breaks. You can't trust their judgement.)

DO NOT: Let your very fit husband (with longer legs) lead the way. He will go faster than you want to. You may or may not start crying when you have to ask him to slow down, repeatedly.

DO NOT: Think that coming down that 25% incline will be more enjoyable than going up. It will hurt on the way down too.

DO: Eat more than half a PB&J before you go.

DO: Take more than 32 oz. of water and a granola bar with you.

DO: Wear sunscreen and bring chapstick.

DO: Plan on burning about as many calories as you do running a marathon.

DO: Blame your lackluster performance on poor planning. Certainly under different circumstances you would nail that hike in half the time the experts predicted.

DO: Take pictures at the top to remind yourself that you really are glad you did it. It will be worth it in the end.

DO: Plan on getting really, really dirty. You will have sock lines.

And last, but not least, DO NOT: Spend 16 hours in the car the next day. You will get a major case of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). It will hurt.

So who wants to hike it with us again next time we are in Utah?!