Just picture, for a second, this scenario: I'm stepping down a windy path with steep cliffs on either side of me, but I can't see anything because there are only clouds. I'm wearing a white towel on my head and am carrying an umbrella that has been inverted by strong gusts of wind. Rain is coming in from all directions. My shorts, jacket, shirt, and backpack is drenched. Climbing Guadalupe Peak, the tallest mountain in Texas, was tough by itself. Battling the elements while doing this climb/descent was a different picture.
Over the past few days I've enjoyed camping at the base of the Guadalupe mountains. The Pine Springs campground is located perfectly at the peak trailhead and here I've enjoyed waking up to this sight (above) every morning. In the evenings I've enjoyed exploring the area. While McKittrick Canyon is one of the favorites in this mountain range, one of my personal favorites was the Smith Spring trail.
But no adventure is complete without ascending the 8,751 foot Guadalupe Peak. I woke up early this morning to the pitter patter of rain on my tent. So at 5 a.m. I started packing up, and by 6:30, I was walking up into the clouds.
Past perilous cliff sides...
...and dilapidated bridges made of sweet smelling wood soaked by the clouds.
I climbed and climbed until I got to the top. I was drenched, my hands and fingers were numb, so I decided not to stay too long at the top. Behind the trail end marker was a small green box. I opened it up and found a notebook. Flipping past hikers who had come before me, I scribbled as neatly as I could "Run Rahul Run - July 14, 2017". Maybe you'll see it on your next adventure up the peak!
On an unrelated note, driving through Texas has been interesting. Many people have and will ask me, "how do you not get bored doing all this driving?" My answer is pretty simple: listening to podcasts. Now other than Serial and This American Life, which have been top suggestions...I have also been listening to the Energy Gang and Pod Saves America. I've also been amazed by the number of wind turbines I've seen. I've read a lot about the wind energy boom in Texas, but to see it up close is something else!
