Three Peak

This week last work week I had the opportunity to work with the adult group. They had all been there for a while, and were very invested in their therapy so they were easy to work with on an emotional level. On a physical level, I could barely keep up. 

These young men decided they wanted to take the three peak challenge; hiking the three tallest mountains in the field. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity. My colleague for the week has worked at Red Cliff for 2 years, and this was only his 3^rd three peak. Given the winter conditions, this was also his hardest three peak. For my part, it was my first week as a full staff, so I was very lucky to participate. My level of fitness was extremely low though. In my first three shifts, I was lucky to hike 5 miles a week. By contrast, this past week, the shortest hiking day was probably 5-7miles.

  

We started out at the base of Rose Mountain. It seems to be named after the numerous rose colored rocks that cover the trek. Rose Mountain is small, and without snow, but the rocks made it not such a fun climb.

 

From the top of Rose, we could see our second Mountain, Indian.

The day after Rose, we walked a little over 10 miles, across the valley, and in the snow to the base of Indian. We laid over a day due to weather. When we woke up and our shelter had become over two feet skinner due to snow accumulation against the wall. Our feet were pinned under snow, and everyone had scootched down so that their face would avoid a similar fate. 

Indian had the most outstanding views. It was 360 degrees, of mountains, and mountains beyond mountains. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, and have no photos. Although, it was probably a blessing, because about a quarter of the way up the mountain we started breaking snow trail through waist deep drifts. 

After peaking Indian we hiked just over 13 miles across the valley to our last goal, Steamboat. Steamboat was my favorite. There were lots of trees all the way up, just ready to give a hiker a hand. We broke snow for the last quarter of this hike. Trudging through the snow didn't bother us, because in the distance a pack of 11 mustangs was keeping an eye on us.