Little did I know that my title would move from an emotion to a physical situation. Billie, Michael, and I headed for Manitou Springs, CO on Saturday, July 9, 2011. I had entered the Triple Crown of Running Series and had been unable to run the 1st race in August due to injury. I had hoped I would be able to run the Summer Roundup Trail Run and thought I might right up until race morning when I decided not to. My priority for this trip really was to get on Pikes Peak and summit. I DNF'd the race last year and this has been an incredible weight on my shoulders.
Billie and Michael raced Sunday morning and then we accomplished The Incline. This is about 2,000 feet vertical gain in 1 mile. We opted to go down on the trail, which was a hike for me due to overuse injury still complaining. It was a fabulous day but I was itching for Monday to come so I could set off to do what I had come for.
We got a late start Monday morning and didn't reach the trailhead until about 1000. We all headed out together. My foot still will not allow a run so my intent was to walk this and still beat my times from last year. It was cool to watch my heart rate jump to 150 range on what I perceived as a little effort. I reached Barr Camp, which is the 1st cutoff, a full hour ahead of last years failure. Awesome! I stopped to use their Necessary Room and went off again. Billie and Michael periodically waited for me as they were having a great run. Next, I made it to the A-Frame, also well within the race cutoff time. Shortly before this, I passed Michael and Billie heading down. Thunder had become audible and they were rightfully intimidated by the weather and headed back. It was at this point that I fully realized how much completing this climb was going to mean to me. Honestly, I wanted to call them to come with me but it wouldn't have been right to put that pressure on them with the coming storm. But I also knew I was going to be alone in bad weather and was a bit wary. But, I continued anyway. I had not seen lightning yet and would later learn it was because the mountain was hiding it.
The next significant point was treeline. I can't begin to express how I felt being at that point on this great mountain that I had observed from town only hours earlier. It was overwhelming. It was also breathtaking-literally and figuratively. After about 1 1/2 miles, or more than an hour of travel time, the storm hit. I was exposed and trying to keep an eye on the goal and my safety. When the hail and rain started to fall, I put my shell jacket on and left my long sleeve shirt tied around my waist, a mistake I would later seriously regret. I am not always poorly planned but this time I was. I was wearing a skirt and did not bring pants. I also brought only one shirt that is good to about 40 degrees. No, I had no other emergency equipment.
The thunder got louder and lightning was incredible and close. I was ahead of another hiker when lightning struck towards the mountain. I later found out it hit a car. I turned to him and asked if he thought we were all right and he said he hoped so. Stupid question I know, but you can't even begin to know how my heart felt about this goal. Next, lightning struck the mountain about 100 yards ahead of us from what I was later told. This also shut down communication in the mountain gift shop. Reflexively, I turned and ran about 5 steps to him and asked if we should go to the tree line for cover. Dork. Not the greatest idea again but know how determined I was. We were 3/4 mile from the top by now. He said we should take shelter against a rock. I said I am not dressed for that and I was going to head for the rock cave that was just a short ways ahead. I got there and it was occupied by a couple who were thrilled to let me in. She was very savvy about these situations and he was very hypothermic. I was cold. I took my shirt and covered my legs and scooted as far back as I could. We huddled together for about 1/2 hour waiting for the storm to pass. We left with a less frightening cloud cover overhead and light rain. There were apparently 5 of us out on the mountain that had taken shelter and we moved to the summit as quickly as we could.
I made it to the top!! I was freezing, too cold for a picture. Long sleeve shirts were $30 and I only had $20. I asked someone what the temp was and they said with the wind chill factor, it was 15 degrees.
Yes, I was poorly prepared and it was a rough experience. Would I do it again with a storm threat? Absolutely. I am in that euphoric stage still. I will plan better next time, though and become more educated on emergency actions in negative scenarios.
When I reached the top, I felt I had a fragment of the resolve that ultrarunners have when they need to complete that 100 mile race knowing that the wheels are coming loose. It may have been reckless, but there really was no turning back. I could not go home again to face the demons of a DNF.
As the plane took off to Boise Tuesday morning, I looked out and could see Pikes Peak. It was a fabulous feeling to know I had been on top and had accomplished something I could not do 11 months ago. I made the final cutoff doing the entire climb at a walk so know with a healthy foot, it would have been even better. Besides the whole emergency learning experience, I learned I am powerful and strong. I am WOMAN, hear me roar!!
