On an early winter morning I got up early to go on an assignment that would test my limits and push me to heights that I haven't been to in years.
I would be climbing Mt. Baldy with five members of the Montrose Rescue Team and a few of my co-workers. This was a training exercise. The mountain is about 10,000 feet and while my co-climbers made it all the way around the mountain, I did make it to 9,600 feet, just about 400 feet short of the top. While that doesn't seem much, the last 400 feet were for the most part, straight uphill. Though most of the trail was a narrow rocky climb uphill as well.
This was the first time I had ever attempted to go on such a hike. I grew up in the mountains, but I always had a horse underneath me doing all the work. The serenity of the day and a feeling like I accomplished something was a wonderful feeling. It's nice to know that when in a pinch I don't need a horse to get me there... I can do it myself.
And the top of Mt. Baldy is not covered in sauce, any meatballs or spaghetti; we had to bring our own food and water. It's a shame really; I was looking forward to a good Italian lunch!
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