I still struggle to find the right words when friends ask how that 'big hike' went. I have to stop myself from saying, “I failed” even though I do feel like that at times.
The hike I’m referring to is the Desolate Peaks event I only discovered two weeks before toeing the start line. I’ve wanted to do something extraordinary like this (not race) since I first laid my eyes on the peaks surrounding the Tahoe basin. This not-trail race had all the makings of a perfect day in the mountains including aid stations, timed splits, a very rough course guide, and all the most insane people the greater Tahoe area had to offer up.
Technically, I did fail even though I also had the time of my life out there. I decided to give in to the pain of my body and the thought of a warm sleeping bag after standing on top of 11 summits. I did achieve my goal of the day, which was to complete the biggest hike I’ve ever done. Somehow I still feel unsatisfied when looking back on this adventure, even though I had the biggest smile on my face while moving through the wilderness for a continuous 19 hours with the best new and old friends I could’ve asked for.
“I’ve never spent such a short time on top of a peak before,” as I thought to myself coming down from Mt.Price (1 of 17) and I barely had time to admire the beauty around me as I ran down a talus field trying not to break an ankle. I loved it though, the insane pace, the super focus required, going deeper into the pain cave than I had ever gone before, and the logistics of fueling your body to be able to continue on.
As we left the fallen leaf aid station at 10pm, we packed everything we needed to be able to complete the last 6 peaks. At the same time though, I knew in the back of my mind how much my body hurt and I had no idea where the limit was going to be.
That nighttime stretch would have likely been the most difficult and transformative part of the entire experience. I now have more motivation to train and prepare my body than I’ve found in the past few years. Racing is a blast, but I find myself far more inspired to be able to explore further, to see more mountains, and discover where my body can take me.
I believe Desolate Peaks should be declared a national holiday—if only so I can spend all of Monday doing nothing on the couch. But now that I’ve discovered this deranged event and its equally crazy participants, I cannot wait for my redemption story next August.
