Just call me crazy! Last week I almost out did myself physically, especially for an 80-year-old, but not quite.

Sunday, July 3, 2022, I hiked on Mount Spokane from the parking area at Lodge 1 up the cat track going north, under Chair 3, to Lamonga Pass ski run, turned left and continued up to the top of Chair 3. After a short break I hiked down the center of Northwest Passage ski run then back to Lodge 1 on the cat track.

831 vertical feet up and back down, and 3.3 miles round trip. Very little soreness and only one rather painful cramp, which dissipated in about five minutes.

Then I worked all week and on Saturday I decided to go to the mountain for another hike.

This time, being not too smart, I decided to hike straight up Hourglass ski run from the parking area at Lodge 1 to the B29 cat track. That was 470 vertical feet in 3/8 of a mile. Then I proceeded up the track to the campground. After a potty break, I went down the track and across Hourglass to No Alibi ski run. Looking at the continuation of the track I realized I would have to hike up another 150-200 vertical feet to the track over to the top of the Beginner Hill, so I made the crazy decision to bushwhack straight down No Alibi to the lodge. Maybe not the best decision.

After about a hundred yards, the brush started getting higher and I couldn’t see the ground beneath. Several times I gradually lost my balance, and even with holding on to thigh-high bushes and saplings, I fell over sideways in slow motion. I’m sure that would have made some video moments. Nearing the bottom I ended walking through a swampy area that I couldn’t see below the bushes.

Even though this was not the best descent decision, I did make it back to my truck. Another 830 vertical feet ascent and return, and a little over 3 miles. Another fun but challenging day.

Later that day I received a text from my son, Kris, asking if I would be interested in an overnight visitor the next day and going on a hike Monday with him. Believe it or not I said yes.

After a nice breakfast at the Little Euro we drove up to Lodge 2 on Mount Spokane and started hiking (using that description loosely) straight up the beginner hill to the cat track, and turned right for a gradual ascent up to Lamonga Pass ski run. At that point I decided to sit for a few minutes on a rock while Kris hiked up a little further to take some pictures. Then I said to myself go with him you wuss. So I did. And since we were only a few hundred yards from the top of chair 3, I trudged on.

When we arrived at the top, we spoke to a couple of area employees that were installing a new communication cable. At that point they offered us a cold drink from their cooler, which was well appreciated.

Then after a short break we hiked down the middle of Northwest Passage to the cat track and proceeded back down Beginner Hill to the car and drove home. My third 830 vertical hike in 8 days.

After lunch Kris set off for home and I spent most of the rest of the day sitting on my butt. But surprisingly I was not sore and not overly tired. I guess this 80-year-old body is starting to get into shape.

Ken Kaiyala
7-10-22