an act of defiance

Down at nearly sea level. Not for long.

Just the other day, a college friend posted that it was the 20th anniversary of River Phoenix's death. Not his epic performance in Stand By Me, or his appearance on my much loved Seventeen magazine cover. No, it had been 20 years since his death that still managed to shock me long after the teenage crush had faded. While the wrinkles beneath my eyes and the children that insist on growing up have made me feel my years lately, this really made me feel old.

What's the perfect remedy for feeling old?

Trail. It's always trail. (Or a whole lot of beer and tequila. But that's a whole other story.)

My ultra patient running buddy Julie agreed to take on Mt Defiance with me. The Portland Hikers guide says this about it: "The Mount Defiance Hike is well-known as the most difficult hike in the Gorge."

They are not kidding.

It started innocently enough. Some lovely waterfalls. A little climb accentuated by the wide open expanses of the Columbia Gorge.

And then it starts to get serious.

I was in death march mode before mile 2.  Thankfully some lovely views helped to lessen the pain. Pay attention to Dog Mountain, that dome shaped monolith.

My legs were not having it. In rebellion, my mind decided that playing "B-Double E-Double R-U-N" on repeat would be an appropriate punishment. I was losing the mental battle.

She was on a mission today.

I would do my best Anton Krupicka impression and place my hands on my knees, attempting to power climb, but more often than not, I would just stop and heave in a breath or two. Every once in awhile I would remember to soak it all in.

I tried to not listen when Julie would tell me the pathetically small amount of climbing her Garmin was registering.

Yep, I was stalling on the climb.

At points the trail was crazy steep.

"Dog Mountain is just a little girly mountain now!"

Knee deep in self pity, we reached a clearing. Instant joy. The power of the mind is awesome. All of the exhaustion, pain and self doubt was gone. My body could suddenly move.

Well, at least for 1/2 a mile.

Mt Rainier and Mt Adams

Mt Adams

I never realized I could do panoramas with the iPhone. Please excuse my overuse of them for the next few adventures.

A bit more painful climbing, and we reached the summit at 4959 feet - complete with radio tower.

Conquered.

We lingered a bit and then started the jello-leg journey back down the mountain.

This will always be how I think of Julie on these runs.

And now, as I reflect on the journey, my legs pleasantly burning with the memory of the miles, I don't feel quite as aged. There's a lot of life to be lived if you are bold enough to go out and seize it. On to the next adventure!

Now I wonder what the most difficult hike outside of the Gorge might be...Julie?

About the hike: http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Mount_Defiance_from_Columbia_River_Hike