If there is one last hike I want to do, it is the Cathedral Ranges. It is suggested to me by Stubeedoobeedoo. I must say this is one of my favourite hikes, even though we only hiked a small portion of it.
Having organized a few hikes, I realize that being organized stresses me out. In the end, I resort to planning the general idea (ie. choosing where to start and then figuring out the rest along the way). Thankfully, both Karl and HurricaneCC are cool with it.
For this hike, I decide on Sugarloaf Peak, then we collectively decide on going up the Very Hard Wells Cave Track and coming down the Hard Canyon Track.
A Very Difficult Climb
These tracks are truly difficult. There are moments when I am feeling my every heart beat, I am breathing slow and steady, and my mind is telling me, “You will not take the wrong step. That is not an option. Take. Your. Time.”
Because of this, I do not have many photos of the hike. It is a steep– virtually vertical– unaided climb. There is no turning back.
But we make it.
What This Journey Means to Me
It takes us 1.5 – 2hrs to go up (and eat lunch), and 1 hour down. It isn’t a race against time, nor is it a view I will remember. To me, this hike is about the process of getting there– not knowing which step to take, asking others to take the lead when I am feeling uncomfortable, trusting myself to get me to my goal, and if back tracking is the better option, I take that suggestion.
This is what makes hiking so interesting. The terrain you hike on is ever-changing, weather-dependent. It can be dangerous and thrilling. It requires thought and strategy. It connects you with nature. It gives you space to reflect on life. It’s not something you can achieve running on a treadmill.
What are you waiting for?
