July 3! The day for hiking Mt. Timpanogos finally arrived. Owen has talked all year about wanting to do this hike, but when I refused to bring any friends without at least one parent, he was less interested. Kate worried her hip would hurt her too much, and was on the fence about going as well. At 6pm the night before, the kids decided to join. Brady grabbed snacks while I took Kate and Owen (and 4 of Owen's friends) to a pool party, then cruised home to sleep before the 4am alarm. While we were gone, Brady made cute little snack bags for the kids and equipped Camel backs for them.
We paid Rachel to take us to park a car at the Timpooneke trailhead to park our car. We missed a legal spot by minutes and parked, knowing we would either get a boot or a ticket (and guessing it was a ticket), then drove the windy road to Aspen Grove trailhead. Kate complained of carsickness on the way and when we arrived, went to the bathroom hoping to alleviate it. Her tummy was still tight as we started the ascent and the sun rose.
I'm writing this after Switzerland and I can now claim that we have the best wildflowers in the world.
Owen was chatty and animated on the way up, practially bouncing up the hill.
Kate was feeling sick as we tried to convince her to take a few photos and eat something so her empty tummy could settle.
We had the best hiking companions of all time with Cory, Walker and Kristen.
We made it to Emerald Lake, about 5 miles up. By this point, Kate was crying and desperate. This is also when she started vomiting. She threw up and threw up and threw up. We knew she could not summit Timp but she also could not turn back. We had no cell reception or a way to call a car, and did not think anyone would want to drive her back with her vomiting. It was a tough situation. Brady decided to hike to Timpanooke with her and skip the few miles going to the summit, hoping she could make it.
Mountain goats! Mountain goat babies!
Owen using a life straw at Emerald Lake. He kept exclaiming, "These are the best views I have ever seen!," "You said this hike was hard, Mom! It's not hard!," and "This is the best day of my life!"
Heart aching for my sick girl and worried for Brady's trek down with her, we pushed on. It was very slow going for them as they crossed the snow--taking 45 minutes at least to cross a short passage. She kept begging for a helicopter and saying there was no way she could get back to the car. People were so kind, offering her snacks and one person even giving her an anti-nausea medication. Brady held off until we were able to talk on the phone and confirm she had taken it before, and it helped her for the next hour. She threw up more but continued the arduous trek.
The only time Owen slowed down his non-stop chatter was approaching the summit.
Walker wins Cousin-of-the-Year for his kindness engaging Owen the entire hike.
We made it!
Best way to celebrate Independence Day! Some guys hiked up with the flag and asked if we wanted a picture with it.
Owen took a little nap on the summit, claiming the six minutes laying down was the "best nap of my life!"
Time to descend!
Brady snapped gorgeous pictures along the route back.
We were able to connect by phone with Brady and all relieved to hear that it was tough, but they were making it back. Ultimately, Kate hiked 13 miles with no food, barely anything to drink, and continued vomiting. When she and Brady reached the parking lot, she cried with relief. Coincidentally, Brady arrived in time to move his car 90 seconds before the car parked behind him got a ticket. We were all relieved the car did not have a boot on it and Brady jogged up the trail to meet us after getting Kate situated.
Meanwhile, Owen never stopped chatting. He was so jazzed and excited with this 15.5 mile accomplishment, and he and Walker even ran two miles at the end. Owen told me it was the best day of his life. Kate said it was the worst day of hers. Timp showed off, Kate got better a couple days later, and we have the most beautiful pictures to show for it.
Oh, and I hit 50K steps! Woot woot!
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