The Tortuga found itself at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on July 24 for a climb to Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas, at an elevation of 8,749 feet. The RV parking area at the Pine Springs campground is just that – a parking lot, but with a nice view and very close to the trail head. The trail head is almost two thousand feet below the peak. At the bottom the sign says it’s 8.4 miles up and back and trail is rated strenuous.
Tortugas ARE NOT MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS! (I am sure you know that!) But, in every life, if you are going to challenge yourself then you have to go ONE MILE more (or in this case, maybe 10 miles more).
The task was not taken lightly. Hiking gear was pulled out — heavy soled hiking boots, day packs filled with over 5 liters of water, hats, hiking poles, and snacks. (The importance of bringing plenty of water in the desert climate cannot be overstated – at least a gallon per person per day.) If the Tortuga didn’t make the peak, it would not be because of being unprepared or the lack of hiking gear.
O’ dark thirty came around and the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon, and the Tortuga was trekking up toward the summit that would be crested 4 ½ hours later.
The Guadalupe Mountains are a national treasure; the views are breath taking and the hill is steep for a Tortuga from the beach. Every hour a 10-minute break and a little snack would refresh the Tortuga’s optimism of making it to the top. Around every corner there was a view that would take your breath away. The Tortuga knew many had made this trek before but this was the Tortuga’s trip to go one mile more.
It was interesting to find moments of doubt if the task could be completed. In the third hour anticipation grew thinking the peak was just moments away. Just around the curve of the next switchback, another peak appeared on the trail, tall and steeper than the last. Excuses for failure stole from concentration. A break, a snack, some water and the breathtaking view gave the courage for another step.
Then, when another step was in question, there it was — a stainless steel pyramid peeking over the edge of the crest encouraging the next step. A few more deep breaths and the Tortuga was standing there.
It was that last section of the trail that provided the greatest value. That moment of thoughts about not making it to the top, not making the goal, and then just taking another step, and another.
Of course, the same doubt of not making it to the top was there about making it back to the trail head given the steep steps and rock scrambles to get up in the first place. The descent was an hour shorter but perhaps more painful on the joints. But, though it is taking several days to recover from the stiffness, the Tortuga is ready for the next adventure!
If you have the right gear, take breaks, enjoy the blessings around you and take the next step, you can make your life just a little richer.
