Blue Mountain Hike - Day 3

Along the trail after the down part of the ski hill, before the up ;)

Today's Stats:

Distance: 26.2 km 
Elevation Gain: 826m 
Weather: 10 deg and sunny
Duration: 5h 24 min
Avg Pace: 12:23

Thoughts from after:  

Stunningly gorgeous - couldn't have been a better day!   This was the easiest of the three days, although the "slip and slide" at the end could be a challenge, it was short, and I had company for that part and was more focused on the conversation than the challenge ;) 

Today started with going down a ski hill - mostly I was just really happy my knee wasn't angry about it.  That was my biggest concern and I was happy there were zero issues.  Otherwise this part was actually slightly disappointing?   Like no great views and literally just walking down a steep green hill.   The UP the other side though.  That was stunning.   Hard at points as it was the only significant vertical climb all weekend, but in the woods, gorgeous trail that twisted and turned.   Really enjoyed that part - and early enough in the day that I wasn't exhausted to handle it ;).  I also had the place entirely to myself by that point, which was earlier than most so that was cool.

After the first break was pretty easy hiking until almost the end.  I found at times I was a little bored - not tired and sore, just not much variation in scenery or terrain and I was ready to be done - more focused on the drive home than the experience.   But that didn't last too long.  The last 5k was the downhill version of the up the mountain early on - although both steeper and shorter.   The only real challenge here is it was muddy and there wasn't much to hang on to.   But just slow really, other than that not nearly as big a deal as it had been made out to be.

I do find it interesting in general how quickly you find your "pack" - even in a solo event.   Over the three days, regardless of what time we started, the same people and I leap-frogged each other regularly.  I'd pass them, they'd pass me, etc.   I ended up doing the last 5k with a woman who was one of those and we just randomly decided to tackle the last section (which had been built up to be this horror story) together.  But of the 100 ish who did this adventure, there were maybe 7 who I saw regularly, and I found the same thing on the trip a couple weeks ago as well.   So even though it's a lot of people at first, it very quickly spreads out so you have hours completely alone and then brief times of passing another human, or being passed ;).   

The end was strangely anti-climatic.  Like we came out of the trees and were just done?  Handed a badge and some food and good to go.   At the last one, we could see the end for ages, and when you got close there were bells and celebrations.   This one was just like "so, how far away are the cars?"

I don't think I've *quite* finished the Hike-a-thon 150km in May target yet - I'll do the math later, but I think I have single digit amounts left.   For one I wasn't even sure I'd get through Day 1 though, I'm pretty pleased at how this went.  Felt actually stronger after each day.   Although sitting in my car for 3h immediately after finishing today was definitely not the best life choice *facepalm*.

Posts from during the day:

7:00: Day 3!!! Today only feeling normal muscle soreness.  Expect I'll finish, but maybe slowly. 

7:11 - For the curious - this is the agenda for the 3 days. Apparently the hardest section today is the last 5k

. Devil’s Glen ski resort near the beginning.

7:31: And we're off! 

8:33: Mondays should always be like this

8:57: Have gone down the mountain and up the mountain and just past the first checkpoint

9:06: Cause I can

. Climbing a stile a little over 10k in

9:26: I somehow don’t think I realized till this year that trillums come in colours other than white

11:53: 20k checkpoint. Tired for sure but not sore. Remaining 5k is apparently the most challenging part - they’re calling it “slip and slide”. Downhill in the mud. So close! Wish me luck!

1:34:  Not the best photo but mission complete!

Blue Mountain E2E - Day 2

 

There were some pretty views today, but there are often pretty views.
Today was really about the rocks.

Today's Stats:

Distance: 24.2km
Elevation Gain:  845m
Weather: Ideal - 8ish degrees, mostly overcast but some sun periods

Thoughts from after 

Today was all about the rocks in the second section.  The first "technical" section I'm very glad I was following someone who knew where they were going, because I don't think it would've occurred to me to take that route ;).   And after the first one when it occurred again later (albeit not *quite* so intense) at least I had a concept of how it'd work and where to consider looking for the next marker.   This section was so incredibly cool, but I have to admit, fairly exhausting.  Esp as w the bugs, stoping to take a break was less than enjoyable.  The last part didn't involve rocks, but they'd taken so much out of me that I was definitely ready to be done at the end and not at all thrilled about the last little hike through the woods after the "final" checkpoint.  Sheesh.   Still, for a day I honestly didn't even expect to start, I'm pretty proud to have finished.   And I actually have legitimate hope for tomorrow now!

Live Posts:

22:10:

Today’s map

May 25, Blue Mountain Bruce Trail, northern section

20:22

Day 2 End to End

15:30: 3rd set of pics:

So I’d been making good time till the rocks, after the rocks I admit I was tired - more muscle tired than pain (win!) but still definitely tired. Was not good about food or water today. Fail.

The last couple kms, all downhill, my knee reminded me it wasn’t happy so those were less fun. Even worse was realizing that after the final checkpoint was still a ~.5km walk to the car? Rude.

But overall fun day, esp since last night I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it, and that middle section w the rocks was incredible. 5/5 stars. Highly recommend. Wear really effective bug spray

15:34 2nd set of pics:

Knee was not an issue today? Like not completely sound but also able to navigate stairs and not really obviously lame when I started. As I warmed up it got better. By the end I was sore again but only in the last couple kms.

Which is important cause the section after the first rest stop was insane. Incredible but insane. Rocks bigger than I am we had to go up or down (I wish I’d taken a pic of the first down!). I had to be v strategic to navigate that without risking extra injury but I managed. At points the only indication of a trail was the blazes - find your way across the rocks to the next blaze.

15:30 1st set of pics:

We started in Blue Mountains and hiked south about 22kms. There was a detour I was really disappointed about around the scenic caves. Detour itself was horse country, so lovely, but I’d been looking forward to that part of the trail!

9:26:

About 10k in. Phone is being temperamental so no live update pics today but it's going really well and stunningly gorgeous.

8:02:

Stunning Start!

7:42:

Let the games begin!

6:26: So... Do I meet the criteria of Sound? No. Am I going anyways? Yes. Are you surprised by this? That might depend whether you actually know me ;)

Follow up - slightly twingy but not bad. Jen volunteered to be my backup plan and come rescue me if that changes. Also didn’t sleep last night so not sure what nuance that might add.

Blue Mountain Hike Day 1

I'm not sure why I loved this so much, but I did.
And there wasn't enough internet to post it at the time, so you get to see it now :)

Today's Stats:

Distance: 22.18km
Elevation Gain: 665m
Weather: Overcast and cool with a tiny bit of drizzle in the early am but never actually raining
Duration: 5'14"

Thoughts from after 

Right so today - first of all, I bought rain gear specifically for this adventure (realizing my last not-so-waterproof gear was cerca Myrddin days - think early 2000s for those for whom that reference means nothing ;). There are human adults younger than that rain gear.  I still can’t wrap my head around that.   Anyways - since I bought new rain gear, I’m to be thanked by all participants for the fact that we did not get rained on ;)

This was my favourite hike yet.  Some of the crevices and rocky footing that I enjoy so much, some easy ups and downs but no crazy hills.  Very little road walking at all.  Some views, some farms, a variety of forest types, some river walk, all the wins :).  And SO green.  Everywhere so green.

Overall it wasn’t a challenge fitness-wise.  Even with some very slow mud-induced splits and a knee that screamed at me 3/4 of the way, I still averaged 14’24” pace.  I like to be below 10 in normal walks although that does require making an effort ;).  Anything below 15 makes me happy in proper hiking.  And below 15 average with some very slow (20ish min) splits, I’m comfortable with.   

Footing was more interesting than the last hike and the hills far less dramatic.   My knee started protesting less than 5k in so I was pretty disheartened at that, but by about 10 it had chilled itself out a bit?!?!   Or maybe just gave up.  Or maybe the vitamin I (aka ibuprofen) kicked in ;).   So for most of it I was noticeably limping but not actually in much pain.  

Exchange of the day with random stranger:

“Oh, you look like you’re limping; are you okay”

“Yeah, just a sore knee”

“But you’re still passing me?!?!?”

😂 oops.

I also liked:

“I can’t believe you’re doing this without poles” - in my head responses varied from “I think poles would actually make this harder” to “could I trade poles for functioning knees?!?!”

This one was, however, the first one I’ve done where I felt hiking boots were truly required.  The last time I’ve been in mud that deep involved a stuck tractor, a round bale, some hungry horses, and my friend Kerri asking if I had time to “help her w something” 😂. The mud also didn’t end….  There are no photos of this cause I zipped my phone into a waterproof pocket just in case.  Every time you thought you were through it, there was another stretch…. I did manage to navigate a few fallen tree bridges which frankly surprised me 😂. But at that point I was so muddy and so tired of slogging through it, I figured if I fell off it wouldn’t make much difference.

I did discover my attempt to waterproof the boots that were already supposed to be waterproof and weren’t, didn’t really work.  They are, however, highly water resistant.  So I was damp not wet.  And it’s not cold enough or long enough that damp was anything beyond a minor annoyance.   The new rain pants are completely mud proof ;). Pants were clean and dry under.   Win.

I was not nearly as tired after today - I did have a nap, but more cause I could than cause I was desperate ;).  

Atm I genuinely don’t know if I’ll be going tomorrow.  Alternating heat and cold on the knees in hopes that’ll help.  If I’m gimpy walking from the car to the bus, I may just sign out and go home :(.    It’s not as though the trail won’t be here later in the summer or even next year.  I suspect I could even convince Jen to let me crash at her place again ;).  BUT - I am really enjoying it and I would v much like to continue.

We shall see….

-----

Live Posts:

19:27: 
Today’s adventure

Bruce Trail, Southern End of Blue Mountains section, May 24

18:44:

Weather forecast was not lovely but actual weather ended up reasonably ideal for hiking. Slightly fewer photos this time because very muddy sections I kept phone in zipped pocket in case I landed in the mud (again - well planned questionable life choices

Storm damage was significant - the amount of work done to clear the trail was impressive.

Really loved this one. Good combo of easy footing and challenging, no killer hills, and a variety of scenic experiences.

13:30 This was a mean tease right at the end! But I made it. Not sure if tomorrow is feasible or not, but I really hope so. Going to ice and see.

12:42 Current state of my boots. And so far have been successful and log walking where it’s an option

12:35 I feel like this used to be a bridge

12:22 Can’t get over how pretty it is. Very muddy (not shocking) but stunning

12:15: Entering the last section for today

12:05: I always love tree tunnels

11:22: Love this! About 15k in

11:19 Daydreaming…

Unrelated - def just added time and distance to my trek by missing a turn

10:38 A - soooo pretty and relaxing

B - where I discovered my waterproofing didn’t work. Booo

10:25 Just after first checkpoint

10:23 At the first rest stop. Loving this one. Knee has stopped yelling at me so continuing. Not sure about tomorrow but loving this one so let’s see how it goes

10:08 As far as road walks go this is the prettiest yet

10:05 Loving the fog

9:21 So Pretty

8:57 About 5k in and pausing cause knee is already getting twitchy. Booo. Otherwise this is definitely my favourite one yet

7:59 Let the Blue Mountain adventure begin

7:28 Bus leaving half an hour late. Hopefully that's the end of the ridiculousness and the hike itself is good.

7:12 For the next 3 days I’m #30

6:55 Today’s adventure begins. Pre trip these guys were way more organized than the last ones. Day of they’re definitely not. Super confused and inefficient. Interesting contrast for sure.

6:47 In a very Canadiana moment, stopped on teh drive to let a beaver cross the road! And occurs to me that might be the first time ever - wish I'd taken a pic. And nobody behind me even honked. (edited days later to add: coming home on day 3 I stopped for a deer as well. While that certainly is more common than beaver, I still haven't seen any in ages. I miss rural life!)

5:58 A cheery weather forecast for today’s hike! Realizing my rain gear was purchased in Myrddin days, I have acquired new gear that might actually be waterproof and also knee braces in hopes that this wknd (3 days this time!) is more successful than last. I have little to no internet so not sure if live updates will be a thing, but I’ll certainly post later if not

It is stunningly gorgeous up here even with the rain so hopefully a fun adventure!