A pain in the butt.

From now on I can say I hiked a mountain. Yup, that is right, I did it; I went up a really high mountain. Not just some South Mountain Trail, or Camelback hike, but literally rock climbing without a harness.

We left at 7:30 am this morning and didn't return until 4pm. We hiked for about 6 hours and didn't even make it to summit. Which is really sad because we were about 30 minutes to the top but had to turn around due to hail. This is a major feat for me because I do not like hiking. My mother has to bribe me to go with her sometimes. We were suppose to do something called 'the pass of death'(easier to explain in person please ask me about it later) but again because of weather we went around the bass of the mountain. Little did we know this proved to be harder. We hike straight up a sand dun with snow on it, we scaled the side of the mountain (my feet get tingly thinking about it), and we had to slide down rocks. I  wish I could show every one what I did on this hike. Pictures do not do it justice but I will post them anyways. But, the experience of climbing a  mountain, falling into mud where my white shoes became black, and my sweats have holes in them, is something I would never trade in. I will always have this memory with my friends where we got frustrated, dirty, had the giggles, and used the bathroom on the rocks.

My RA and I enjoying a little coffee before the hike right out of a machine.  

And it begins, this is the easy part. 

I needed a break so I found a rock and tried to enjoy the moment.  The guy in the blue jacket was one of 3 tour  guides. 

This is the sand dun going up, on the way back the snow began to melt and I had sand in my shoes. YUCK!

Because of the fog you can't see the summit, but we are about 30 minutes from it at this stop. (I was not happy in this pictures, this is a fake smile.)

I can't believe I did this. I am really sore, and kinda surprised I didn't fall on my face trying to get off some of these rocks. I experienced a lot in this hike, rain, hail, snow, sand, mud, hunger, thirst etc. But only by God's strength did I and all of the other students make it back safe. This for sure was a culture experience I won't recommend to any other student. 15,000 feet above sea level kicks your butt, even if your a runner.