So much of trail running is mental, and involves the mental/physical process we call recovery.   On a long run, the mind cajoles and makes deals with the heart, lungs and limbs to extract a little extra effort on the uphill, promising relief after another crest is reached.

A five day, four night, backpacking trip involves a lot of recovery as well.  This morning, our last one in the Kootenay backcountry, we wake to the clash of thunderheads directly above, the pounding of rain, lightning nearby, wondering when it will pass.  Yesterday had been magnificent, the sharp edges of the Rock Wall that we’d been hiking next to for four days coming into stark relief as the clouds parted.  After a few days of mist, we felt it was our due.

Lying in our tent now, waiting for the thunder to fade.  Doesn’t take long, of course.  Our bodies are tired, but we’re excited to be finishing.  Hiked roughly 7-8 miles a day, 2500 feet of climbing with packs now weighing 50 pounds but started out heavier with food.

This trip, complicated by more rain than we’d prefer, was still a treat.  Incredible untouched mountains, glaciers and snowfields where the steep pitch allowed.  And great family time,  Sitting under pine trees after dinner, teaching our college bound daughter how to play poker, using pine cones and small rocks as chips.  And reading aloud a chapter a night from a Jon Krakauer book “Eiger Dreams”, a collection of short stories about mountaineering (mostly mountaineering disasters), a prelude to his classic, Into Thin Air.  The stories of the big egos and mishaps were both comical and inspirational.   Stories of experienced climbers, surviving for days at a time in an ice cave on K2, then, when the weather breaks, climbing the last several thousand feet, oxygen and food starved, yet succeeding.  Planting their flag, then stumbling down to safety.
In short, human beings are tougher than we think, and can persevere against ridiculous odds.   I tell myself to remember that when I’m sucking wind at mile 10, heading up towards Baldy.   It is doable. I can do it.