[williswall]

Over 30 times I've done the Wonderland, and last September I set out toward the 40x mark with my annual trip. I didn't make it. Not from weather or sickness or poor planning or a blistered daughter like a few times in the past. I got about two hours into it and just wasn't enthused. I wasn't looking forward to it. I started questioning my kit choices for the conditions. I wondered on the weather. But ultimately I just told myself, "screw it, just not interested." For whatever reason at that particular time, my head wasn't in the trip. So I followed my gut and decided not to continue on, but I still wanted to spend a day out in the woods, so after a break at Indian Henrys I decided to tag Pyramid Peak and make a day of it. As if following my mood, the weather slowly clouded over and by the time I was on top, no mountain loomed before me. I enjoyed some time up there anyway as the views to the south were cool and eventually made my way back, taking a break in the sun at a nice spot and aired out my feet, munching on whatever I wanted as I had 3 days of food with me. I can also say I thoroughly enjoyed the hike out, and felt invigorated after a day in the mountain air. I also had no regrets in bagging the trip and didn't try later on to salvage it. Very strange for me as I've been tromping this trail since 1984 and have never tired of it. In fact, I had forgotten about this day until I came across the photos so decided to post this late trip report. Perhaps in 2017.....

weather forecast

upside down

trail shot

tiny spikes

there go the views-Success Cleaver

Pyramid Peak detour

overlay

nature's paintbrush

Mirror Lake

Indian Henrys classic shot

icy reflection

hoary flora

fungal pearls

help on the way

frozen tarn

fall ice

contemplating my decision

[Brushbuffalo]

[williswall]

The last time I did Western States, Janine D came up to me for congratulations....same happened to her, she just decided to bag it around mile 40 and watch her husband finish in under 24. That was her last 100, and you know what she had accomplished up to that point. Can be quite the head game sometimes. Thanks for your thoughts. Speaking of Glacier, perhaps you want to circumnavigate and summit in one trip? I'm up for it.

[bobbi]

your inner self is telling you to ... move on to a different mountain! anyway, you are mr. wonderland, no doubt about it. you know every inch of that trail, in all types of weather and season, and then some you'll return with a new focus ...

[williswall]