Monday, June 30, 2008

Mountain Peril

Saturday's hike to Lake Blanche started out so innocently, but turned into an event.

Todd dragged drove Connor and I up to Big Cottonwood canyon to hike up to Lake Blanche. It's not a super long hike - about 3 miles - but it's all uphill. It's estimated that it takes the average person about 2.5 hours to reach the lake. It's a tough hike. HOLY COW it's tough.

I've made it to the lake a few times - but when I was in much better shape. I had every intention of making it to the top - but yesterday my body told me it just wasn't happenin'.

Look how eager and full of hope Connor is at the start of the hike.











The beginning of the trail fools you into believing it is going to be paved and easy like this all the way to the top. It was a bait and switch, if you ask me.












Egads.















It IS pretty up there, though.









A waterfall near the lake.

This is as far as I made it.

We hiked for about 2.5 hours and still had another 45 minutes to go before we would make it to the lake. The last part is the hardest part of the hike.

Todd and Connor had lots of energy left in them to make it to the top but I told them I couldn't do it.

They were really sweet and told me it was okay if we didn't make it.

In hindsight - this was actually a very good decision to stop when I did.

When we finally made it to the car, I started to feel nauseated. Then came the splitting headache! Then I became dizzy.

By the time we made it out of the canyon, I was chilled. It was 93 degrees outside, and I was actually cold!

I asked Todd to pull over and I just laid on the grass in the shade. I was soooo sick. Todd got me some ice water and saltines and after about 20 minutes of moaning on the grass, I was suddenly better.

Turns out it was heat exhaustion.

But all is well now and I'm glad I went. The moral of this incident is that I need to wear sunblock and start the hike in the morning and not during the hottest time of the day - and drink a TON more water.

Lesson learned!

12 comments:

Jan said...

That looked really pretty there. That waterfall was beautiful.

I can't believe what happened to you Red. That is so very scary when you feel that way felt. I am glad that you were able to get what you needed. But next time, I am sure we will all pack and drink more water after reading this.

I get heat exhaustion really easy from working on a farm when younger. I can totally relate.

Great pictures, and have a fantastic week.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous pictures! I have suffered from heat exhaustion and it is NO FUN! Ever since I think I about had a heat stroke, I get hot so easily & dehydrate so fast. You gotta be careful! :) Glad you made it out OK, though.

chelle said...

I am glad you are better. It is so easy to get heat exhaustion. We are going hiking this weekend. Now I will be on my toes thanks to your post! Good job for getting out there! Just next time with more water. M

Anonymous said...

They are pretty tricky, with the paved path and all...
It looks just beautiful! I'm glad you recovered.

kitchenditcher said...

Wow! Pics were amazing. QUITE a few years ago, I hiked Zion Narrows and got a little hypothermia. Glad you are okay. Are you trying again next weekend? JK!

Redhoodoos said...

Thanks all - doing much better! Todd really DOES want to go again next weekend. He's an animal!

julie said...

I need someone to drag me out. I love to go but somehow I don't do it unless someone else is pushing. What a sight. I will have to check that hike out. I am sure there are many in Utah but I don't know where to start.

I am glad you are much better. PHEW! It is hard to get out the door early to avoid the heat. That is my problem.

I hope it goes better this next weekend!

tiki_lady said...

beautiful pictures! It is amazing how heat exhaustion can come up on us. I am not much of a hiker but the views are definitely worth it.

Scrappy Girl said...

Love the pics...wow! Heat exhaustion...yuck!

tammy said...

It was beautiful...my knees ache just looking at the trail!!! i am happy you are feeling better now!!!

Tasha said...

Ok, was he trying to kill you? I say let him go this weekend and you have a nice relaxing iced tea in the back yard.

Megan said...

I don't care what they say. No view is EVER worth hiking for. The only time it was was on my mission when we hiked Lion's Head in Cape Town South Africa. It WAS a beatiful shot of the city and surrounding ocean--but it only took 45 minutes to hike. Otherwise--NOT WORTH IT.