August 7, 2020 - The Descent

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This was a full day! I've been hiking in a number of national parks over my lifetime, on trails that where the paths were soft dusty soil that almost felt padded. These paths only interrupted with the crunch of some pine needles. This...was not that!

I'll say that the 5 that were in their 20's and early 30's, killed it. The balance of us in our 50's had our share of aches and pains. I won't speak for the others but I was sore and beat! I was prepared informed that walking sticks were a wise choice, more so on the descent and were valuable for taking weight off the knees. I also packed  a pair of neoprene knee braces and when told we still had a mile to go before getting to our vehicles on the way down, yep, I stopped and put one on!

But don't let my old-man whining take you down the wrong path. This was an amazing trip and I would not trade it for anything!! Getting to one more time tread on the hallowed ground of my father's passing and his two co-workers is something that can't be fully described. To do it while further strengthening a brother-bond with my six cousins and two amazing guides that I am lucky enough to call my friends...well, that is priceless!