Lack of Endurance vs. Fear of Heights

To those that have been following me … on this blog and / or on my FB

I want to clarify … it was not my physical ability that kept me from summiting … it was my fear of heights and my comfort level with mountain edges.

While most people I passed (those both going up and down the mountain) stood erect and walked Mount Katahdin, as if climbing stairs, I did not.

I walked as far as I could, but the higher I went the lower my body would be to the ground.  At some points I literally crawl and slithered up the mountain.

The boulders I traversed that were along the edge of the mountain, with a shear drop-off, scared me to death!

I am very proud of the heights I achieved and as far as I pushed myself beyond my comfort level.  I trusted my gut to know when to say “When”.

I am also proud that I attempted the summit a second time (after one zero day).

Yes, my knee has to rest for a few weeks (included a picture of my bruised leg and the goose egg below the knee cap) … both legs look worse than are represented in the picture.

Yes, I still want to try it again.

Will I,  I’ll have two weeks ( at the least) to figure out what to do.

This won’t keep me from hiking, camping, trekking or any other  adventure I want to try.

The only thing my lack of ability to summit will do is keep me from being called an AT Thru Hiker … which isn’t the end of the world!