This peak was an adventure in more ways then one!
See that pack of ginger. 👆 That and some nausea pills are the only reason I made it to the top. To say I enjoyed even the pain of an all day adventure would be a lie this time around. As you can see, from the photo, it was still worth it.
The scenery surrounding Kings Peak was pretty in its own way but not some of the most breathtaking views every hiked. I am gonna say that the appeal of this adventure is getting to the highest peak in Utah. (to say you have done it)
We drove in Friday (August 8th 2020) night and set up our tent among other running friends ready to tackle this 26.8 mile hike, which doesn't sound to bad but the elevation and rock scrambling really put the breaks on the higher up you get.
Happy to say I love rock scrambling. It's just plain old fun! You feel like a kid on a playground, what is more fun then that!? The last mile of rock scrambling did take over an hour.
Jessica and I started out cold but full of excitement and aware of what we got ourselves into...including a good chance of altitude sickness.
It was smooth sailing for about 8 miles or so.
Pretty and relatively flat considering the elevation of 5118 ft. we knew we would gain at Kings Peak.
I had lost my appetite the week prior due to bowel issues from some magnesium pills I had been taking. I ate good that morning and still felt really full which made me procrastinate eating for over an hour at the beginning of our run. (When you ultra run replenishing your energy is super important. Eating every hour or half hour especially on a full day adventure is crucial and if you fail it will make or break you.) It was about 8ish miles, right before we started the steeper climb when the nausea hit. We took a little rest and I tried to eat, UGH, food does not sound appealing when you are sick to your stomach. After a rest and forced food we continued a while longer. My stomach worsened along with fatigue and loss of good judgment. The more we climbed the more sick I felt. This is awful, I thought to myself, I am gonna have to turn around and go back. No peak for me. 😓
I eventually had to stop again! Bless Jessica! She was so patient and took wonderful care of me. I am sure this was not the way she intended her day to go. I rested on some rocks and cried knowing I couldn't continue any further feeling like this. 😩 Some other runners stopped to help. They knew exactly what I was going through, for some had experienced the same times before. One runner had some nausea pills that she generously gave me. I rested for about an hour waiting for the meds to work. We finally decided to go a bit farther, at least so we could see the peak, then if I still felt awful we would turn around and go back. Jessica was prepared with ginger candy, which I ate as we headed on. I think she was inspired to bring it!
What seemed like forever, I ended up feeling good enough to keep going or maybe I wanted so bad to make it to the peak. I think the ginger gummies were a life saver. Think I ate those continually the rest of the day.
We finally made it the peak sick and all what a relief and joyous feeling.
We didn't stay long up there. I was never more anxious to start our decent knowing going back down would hopefully bring healing to my fatigued body and everything that goes along with an upset stomach.
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| We did see a moose on our way down! |
We made it back 2 hours longer then our goal but proud of the accomplishment anyway. It was a long drive home and the sickness never went completely away till after a good night sleep.
I think there is a lesson with every adventure, a new challenge to overcome, something to learn about yourself, about the world, and the reality of knowing we can do hard things. It wouldn't be called an adventure with out all these things.
