Finally put together a good week of training on the bike (190 miles & 14,000' gain) so I thought I would attempt a short hike in the San Gabs to test the bionic leg.
It's been 6+ months since surgery and the my ankle is getting stronger. Had a late 9 am start, mostly because I've never been up Icehouse Canyon and thought it best to avoid the morning fog. The hike pummeled me pretty good. The last 3/4 mile to the Saddle became a scramble since the snow was soft and 2-3 ft. deep. People were cutting trail every which way and I completly lost the main trail, which led to some hefty work on the bad leg. Throw in 20 pds. of whatever in my pack and I was beat pretty good when I finished. I doubt I could've made it without the microspikes (Kahtoolas). They're great - light and pretty good bite.
6 hrs. for a ~8 mile hike? It's a start. The scree sections on the bottom of the trail were a real problem. I can feel the plate in my leg when my foot steps down on a rock and twists - not a good feeling. I fell once but just shifted quick and went backwards on my pack and butt. The thought of even attempting something like Ski Hut Trail after this makes me nervous. Got a ways to go to get my hiking back. Doing a lot of climbing on the bike helps more than anything right now.
Great to be out in the woods again.
Oh yeah, almost forgot. The stream crossings were a laugh. Decided to toss my pack across and scramble rather than walk the log like everyone else. First time the pack hits bank and falls back into stream. Lucky for me I tossed it upstream and it floated right to me. Nothing got wet inside. Comedy of errors.
Sun's popping out ahead. Welcome sight after a late start in fog.
Melting fast
Throw the Kahtoolas on - it's getting slippery and deep in some sections.
The sun's out, coffee's brewing and feeling good.
Nice blue sky up here today.
