Are We Really Going to Do This?

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Geo: 43.611, -116.393

Hi All - Sean kicking things off here.

To be fair, we are going to hike part of the Haute Route; not the whole thing. That would just be crazy :-). However, we are going to be content (and likely more comfortable) with taking in some of the highlights of this historic trek including the tranquil Champex-Lac, the remote Cabane du Mont Fort, the mountain luxury of the Hotel Weisshorn, and (hopefully) views of the Matterhorn from Zermatt where hikers thrive and cars don't drive. After months of planning and preparing, we are off to test our bodies , our minds, and our pocketbooks in a country with world renowned mountains and pricey 2-star hotels. We have put in some training to prepare for the journey in hopes of having a moderate level of physical comfort, although I am sure 45 minutes on a stair climber will be far from a realistic preview of the elevation gains and loses we will be experiencing on some of the stages of the hike. I have often heard it said that the pleasure of a trip/task/objective is in the journey and not the final outcome, so I would like to take a few moments to highlight some of the great parts of the journey we have taken thus far to reach the point of flight UA3704 lifting off from Boise enroute to Chicago O'Hare: 1) Our little Idaho has some world class beauty - from early summer wildflowers on the Around the Mountain hike at Bogus Basin, to the spring green of Hailey and Ketchum, to a bike ride over the rolling hills between Lake Fork and McCall, it is easy to argue that we have great opportunities right here at home; 2) I feel accomplished with what I have done physically since mid-April - over 42 hours of cardio workouts with over 265 miles of activity including 130+ miles hiked, 104 miles biked, 33 miles running; 3) I was able to hike a great variety of trails- Corral's, Scott's, Hard Guy, Shane's Loop, Around the Mountain, Table Rock, Three Bears, Chocolate Gulch and Adams Gulch in Hailey/Ketchum. So, after this brief reflection, I bid you adieu and look forward to the adventure to come.

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Photos

Getting Ready on the Corral's Trail
One of our earliest hikes to prepare for the trip - Kaia would not stand still so she is showing her best side:-)!

Flowers in the Foothills
Late spring flowers in the foothills as Kaia and I leave the Military Reserve area to hike up to Shane's Loop.

Drink Time!
Keeping hydrated during the Shane's Loop Hike

Bow Bridge in Hailey
Kaia and I hiked this during our Chocolate Gulch hike in May.

Croy Canyon View
From the top of the Chocolate Gulch trail, you have a nice view into Croy Canyon west of Hailey

Comments

[mike pepper]

wow!! no one could accuse you of taking on this trip without preparation - and the last month managing the BWP too! whew. you are already successful. thanks once again for taking the time to create and post to your travel blog. we love
experiencing yet another wonderful trip vicariously through your eyes and words.