At 14,200 feet, a power bar is a meal and a loose rock could mean your demise rather than just an emabressing fall.

At 14,200 feet, I sat down….to cry.

Setting up base camp the previous night we had been accosted by dime size hail balls which left welts on my neck. We spent the night cold and wet in our tent. Needless to say, the next morning we got up and began the hike.

8am

We passed a large group of boy scouts climbing with ice axes. Yes, we are in the mountains, but it is August…the ice axe is a little much, isn’t it?

9am

Summited Challanger Point. I proceeded to sit down, my refusal to continue. I was tired, getting scared and the sky was turning dark gray. I did not want to get hailed on so for the photo shoot, I am missing.

The boys on Challanger Point

10am

I was traversing the saddle to get to Kit Carson Peak….god damn it.

12pm

I was scrambling up Kit Carson, hoping I wouldn’t slip as Kirill began to succumb to altitude sickness.

1pm

I couldnt continue. I sat down on the saddle going back to Challanger Point and I cried. The rocks were making scary noises like they were going to fall down with me on top of them, my pack was heavy, I had eaten all 2 of my power bars and I was hungry. Kirill had a headache and was looking pale. I had no choice. Litereally, it was sit down and cry or….something else dramatic.

1:15pm

I dragged my sorry butt over and prepared to finish the climb

2pm

Kirill begins projectile vomiting from altitude sickness.

3pm

We arrive at base camp to find that everyone has left already to go to the car.

I hate this trip.

No food, 8 hours of hiking later, and I am tired. Plus, I forgot deoderant.

Back at the car, I am all smiles.

“Oh my God, did you guys see how hardcore I was?”

“Yeah, Beryl- you are hard core.”

Ah HA! Straight from the Russians mouth, I AM HARDCORE. Finally.

I didn’t realize there was an understood dresscode. All the women in the store had chocos on, or at least some form of supportive, active sandalwear. Apparently, you don’t wear high heels in REI. I looked like an alien. I was wearning a black sweater shirt and jeans with black heels. I was waiting for a clerk to tell me this wasn’t Forever 21. I came from work, give me a break. Where do all these people work that at 4 o’clock they are already in their outdoor active wear!?

“I need a backpack.”

“Ok, well, what kind, a school backpack?”

Damn you old REI backpack man, I graduated college, I know he thinks I am in high school or something, I can tell.

“Well, actually, no. I need one for a backpacking trip I am planning.”

“Well, in that case, you will want to try on the Deva.”

Selena

Deva

Blue Kazoo

One thing I noticed at REI was all the outdoor gear for women had special names. For example: The Gregory Deva backback, Petzls climbing harness named Selena, the North Face baby blue womans sleeping bag named the Blue Kazoo. As if someone will say, ”Hey I like your harness, what’s her name?” “Oh, this is Selena.”