Setbacks are set ups for comebacks

After being able to only exercise every few months in 2022 due to long term physical recovery, it was time to incrementally train up to a 1/2 mountain peak after completing a 5 mile hike.

However, plans changed due to a weekday trail closure. I haven’t hiked a mountain peak in 2 years since Cucamonga Peak in August 2020. I had no idea things were different during the week now.

I was on the lookout for a 7-9 mile hike on AllTrails. I found a short but steep route to Mount Baldy via Baldy Bowl Trail! I grew up in the Inland Empire and looked at that peak everyday going to school never thinking I’d climb it!

It is more than I planned but my instincts say I have to do it while I’m off work, have a solid hiking buddy available, and before the fall wildfires and snow!! Let’s goooo 👊🏼

Winners get an early start

Am I an early morning person? Nope, but I got up at 3am and on the trail by 5:30am. I will need all the daylight I can get to conquer this steep trail. My previous mountain peak record is 8,862 ft and attempting a 10,064 ft peak to Mount Baldy summit. I waited 2 years around seasonality and physical healing to make it back to an advanced hike! 🌲

Those morning views though

Here’s the view looking back at the Inland Empire of southern California. The morning shade was nice! At the top it won’t have shade because it’s pretty bald. Hence why this peak is called Mount Baldy. 😬

Climbing a mountain be like…

Multiple people recently asked me what I bring on an elevation mountain hike. First, let’s talk water. Is it just me or does carrying 4+ liters of water uphill on a 8-12 mile hike a killer?

I separate the water into two sections because in the middle of my hikes I put my Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier only into a small portion of water so the rest of my water is untouched. Three liters of iced water goes into my Osprey hydration bladder, and the other liter goes into a water bottle hanging from a carabiner hook on my Osprey backpack.

I bring my SpotX Messenger for safety as you can send a beacon for someone to watch your location and it’s based on a satellite for paging if there’s an issue. When I was on this trail I saw a helicopter go to the summit so things do happen in the wild.

On any long adventure I bring a Good Kitchen meal as it’s cooked by the time I get to my destination. Other items include snacks, whistle, signal mirror, hair bands, wipes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hoodie, portable charger, toiletries to refresh, and much more.

Get a better view with 3D maps

AllTrails has introduced 3D Maps. By viewing this new feature, you can visualize the terrain and elevation in more detail before you go or during the hike. You’ll be able to see when all the peaks and valleys come in before you hit the trail. This is now available with Pro subscription. By the way that’s me on the blue dot below during this Mount Baldy hike!

Conquer any mountain in stride

When you have to conquer a mountain take it in stride! That’s where I’m trying to go back there with the spiky peaks pictured below. Yikes!

The terrain on this trail has stages. Now it's time for a little rock scrambling. My Vasque Footwear takes me everywhere I want to go without fail whether it's 30 miles in the desert or 10k ft mountain peaks! It turns out the ski lift doesn’t operate during the week so it’s by foot the whole way no matter what! 😬

REI helped me get the proper hiking boots that were 2 sizes bigger NOT only 1 size bigger. They had the fake rock prop in store so I could test them out. I lost 3 toenails years ago when I had the wrong shoes and the wrong size. Never again, right? I had to wait 6 months for them to grow back so luckily that was during winter.

This is what it looks like to struggle

It’s ok to struggle because we’re human. I didn't even know this photo was taken but I want to keep it real LOL. At this point in the hike I had to stop and reset myself. It’s been 2 years since I’ve done more than an easy hike due to a long term physical recovery.

Oddly enough, the struggle hit at my previous best of 8,900 feet. I remembered the concept of milestones and how any step forward would be an incremental gain. I got up and counted 5 steps then rested. Then 5 more steps. I couldn’t look at the peak it was too daunting. I had to look at my feet and focus on small strides. I had 1,000 feet to go uphill—but I had no doubt I would make it.

Now it was getting hot because I'm slow AF. I drank electrolytes and matcha green tea powder then said a prayer. A cloud came over to provide shade. Thank God for delivering as this helped me increase to 10, 20, then 50 steps. I got my power back!

Just remember when you’re exhausted you are NOT done my friends! You have more in you than you know.

Life is like hiking

There's breathless beauty, unexpected turns, long switchbacks, and even critters to avoid along the way. Take challenges in strides like you would on different terrain on a trail. Every step forward is a win because inches become miles. No matter what keep your focus on the summit!

If you’re like me experiencing unwanted delays in life, just remember that adversity requires time and patience. You can overcome and actually come out ahead! Believe it.

Don’t let others create your limits

They said I may never hike again but 2 years later I showed them. Not only that but I set a new elevation record at 10,064 ft! 🏆 🌟

In the future I hope to launch an online course about personal life growth strategy and how I dug deep to have the greatest achievements of my life during multiple significant challenges. Subscribe for future individual course launch notifications here.

Nature is beautiful

Getting outdoors sure helps me work out frustrations and reset myself. Hiking checks off so many boxes whether to relieve stress, get sunshine, build friendships, achieve goals, capture photos, and more.

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