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gabbyyx07 Posts: 35
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I just returned to my hometown in CT yesterday afternoon from a vacation in North Woodstock, NH, just next to Lincoln. I go there every year with my parents, my sister, and one other family that we're close to. We usually just do the same few things: some hikes on the Kancamagus, a few parks, and a couple gondola rides up a mountain. This year we did all those things, but we did do something more. I'm sharing this on this group because I feel it does prove that you shouldn't let other people's opinions get in the way of accomplishing your dreams, no matter how unrealistic they may seem. You see, since I was a kid I've dreamt of climbing mountains and backpacking. The only problem is, as some of you may know, I suffer from severe juvenile fibromyalgia, Achille's tendonitis, a back disorder, and chronic migraines, as well as a few other things. Inspite of that, my dad and I have been planning since last fall to climb to the summit of Mount Washington. A few weeks ago, my doctors found out and laughed. They didn't think I could do it. I was a bit insulted, but it didn't stop me. A few days before we left for NH, my parents and I went to buy backpacks, because we believe in backpacking when the weather can be as unpredictable and outrageous as it is on that mountain. We arrvied, and we kept checking the weather to find the best day. Eventually, we found a day: August 17. We woke up early, packed our bags, and drove to Conway. We parked in the hikers' parking lot just next to the base station of the Cog Railway, and then we hiked up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, the most difficult trail on that side of the mountain: crossing rivers, many dropoffs, steep climbing, and 3.4 miles of that before you get to Lake of the CLouds Hut. We stopped there for lunch and my dad and I did the 0.3 miles to the summit of Mt. Monroe, which was all climbing, and then we came back down. We then left right away for an extremely difficult 1.5 mile hike on loose rocks on the edge of the top of a ravine: a dropoff. Then we got to the summit, took a break, and took the cog railway back down the mountain. The point is, I hiked 5.5 miles to the 6288 feet of elevation to the summit of Mount Washington. Don't let what other people say discourage you. If you have determination and perseverance, you can do whatever you wish. I did make it, despite my health issues, and I felt brilliant afterwards. It's changed my view of life entirely. Anything is possible. |
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