What are you capable of?

I went on quite the adventure last weekend, which really had me questioning my ability to make sound choices in life. What started as a simple suggestion escalated into over 23 miles of hiking in the snow.

Let’s review the conversation that led to these events:

Me: “Want to take our wetsuits up to Chasm Lake and take a dip?” (This is only about an 8-mile hike, total, for the record)

Friend: “Would you want to do Conundrum Hot Springs instead? That’s 8 miles in, right? Then car camp somewhere close by after?” (It’s more like 9.1 miles, one way, for the record)

Me: “Oh yes! And then Cathedral Lake isn’t far from there and there’s tons of dispersed camping up that way. What’s another 3 miles after 18?”

It’s safe to say I was a bit blinded by the prospect of visiting two of my favorite places on the same day to really think through the logistics of the proposed adventure. I rode that wave of excitement all the way up to the evening before our adventure was set to begin. Then the reality started to set in. And what I mean by ‘the reality’ is the doubt started to set in. Was I really capable of hiking over 23 miles in one day? Would I be able to sleep at all in 18-degree weather? I, who is notoriously bad at sleeping while camping in reasonable temperatures, had my doubts. Would we even make it to Cathedral Lake with those switchbacks? The switchbacks that were covered in ice and snow! Could we safely fit it all in before losing the light of the sun (i.e. snowy switchbacks by headlamp)?

The verdict? Yes…. and, no. Yes, I’m perfectly capable of hiking 9 snowy miles to soak in isolated hot springs, which we happened to have entirely to ourselves for an hour. It helps when you take dispersed stops to check on the Ring of Fire Eclipse. Yes, I can do the same hike back to the car, this time covered in muck and mud from melted snow, but with revitalized muscles from the aforementioned soaking. Yes, I can schlep all of my camping gear up a 2.7-mile hike with over 2,000 ft of elevation gain. Which, if you know nothing of hiking or elevation gain, just think of walking up an endless, incredibly steep flight of stairs that happens to be covered in snow and ice. My pack was a bit heavier than usual considering I insisted on bringing my favorite Khao Soi ramen from Uncle (which, reader, I highly encourage you to do on your next adventure. Totally worth the extra weight. Do you know what melts away all your aches and pains after endless miles of hiking, and warms you to the core? Hot and steamy ramen. Don’t ask questions. Just do it).

And this is where the list of accomplishments ends… because, sadly, I’m still incapable of sleeping while camping, especially in winter temps! I wish I could report that the hours of hiking made me so tired that I slept like a baby… but, I did not. I didn’t sleep a wink!

Although I was thoroughly exhausted as we drove the 3.5 hours back to Denver the next day, I still felt incredibly accomplished. All in all, I’m quite impressed with how well I managed on this not-so-little adventure. My legs may have felt otherwise, but damn did it feel good to be outside in the sun tromping through the snow. I was delighted to not only set my eyes on some beautiful water but also dip my body in as well! Which, as someone who identifies as part aquatic creature, made my heart sing!

It’s delightfully empowering to test your limits and find you’re capable of far more than you thought possible.