I recently purchased a tent at Out'n'Back for only $15! I decided that I would try it out Thursday night. I strapped the tent and my sleeping pad to my Camelbak and took off up the Y for my favorite spot behind the mountain. (Don't worry, Mom. I told all my roommates my travel plan and when they could expect me back. I even had cell reception the whole time.)
I set up camp in a valley where a fire pit was already built. My fire-building attempts where thwarted after 2 hours of painfully making kindling out of wood that I discovered around 1:00am to be nonburnable.
The good thing about my fire failure was that it kept me busy during the cold hours of the night. The remainder of the night was less-fortunate for me. In fact, it was a heap of restless discomfort! (I now feel you, Mama.) The tent was supposedly "7x7'" but it turned out to be more like 5'11"x5'11". I repositioned my slim sleeping mat all night long from one diagonal angle to the next. (Despite having my head lower than my feet, position number four was the most comfortable.)
The tent adventure didn't end there. Around 3am, I definitely heard purring. Yes, purring. Needless to say, I was nervous. Nervous enough to try to attempt holding my breath for 2 minutes so that I could listen for any giant feline lurking just outside my paper-thin tent. I comforted myself my counting my blessings: 1--I only heard one purring. 2--At least it was purring and not growling territorially. 3--I'm saved $3 on my lunch today!
Just before sunrise, I was startled even more when I heard heavy, active breathing approach my camping site. The huffy breaths gradually grew louder over 30 seconds. Then, at its loudest, the breathing stopped. I was freaked. Motionless, I prayed for the source of the breathing to run away or at least that I would be able to maim it before it slaughtered me. Suddenly, the breathing returned but mysteriously disappeared within two seconds. It was like a car passing on the freeway; you can hear it coming for a long time, but then once it passes, it can barely be heard. When I thought it was safe to move again, I grabbed my knife and hid it inside my sleeping bag until I was ready to get up.
The next morning instead of heading back down the mountain I decided to hike an additional 6 hours. I hiked ALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS back there! This is photo of me hiking into uncharted territory. Instead of taking a left and heading up to the top of Y-Mount, I hung a right into the aspen trees.
This new trail was much more beautiful than the other path. The deeper I went into the wilderness, the softer the vegetation became to my touch, the richer the colors to my eyes and even the "scent of nature" became purer.
ENLARGE ME!
At one point, I felt like I was participating in a First Vision pageant.
After the "Sacred Grove", I entered an open valley with these two burning bushes on the hill in front of me. My mind immediately turned to the Old Testament and I felt compelled to ascend the extremely steep hillside and offer prayer. And I did. And it was cool.
I wrapped through more green valleys and dark, evergreen forests until I made it to the top of the mountain behind Y-Mount. I was surprised to find a make-shift throne made out of shale-stones at the peak. I truly felt like this area was my kingdom.
The Thrown. It should be the destination in a nature-scavenger hunt! It was soooo cool! (I'll bet those of you living in "flatter areas" are beginning to feel a little bit jealous by now.)
This a peak of a different mountain. I found a "Fire Access Road" and walked along that for a while until I found a trail that led up to this peak. This one was weird because I found a bunch of white seashells at the top.
At this point in my adventure, I could feel my face starting to burn and knew that I would have to start back if I were to be able to keep this outing under 20-25 miles.
On the way back down, I found this alluring trail that I think leads up to a different peak. I documented it so that I can try it later.
On my way back down I took the time to really appreciate the colors around me.
This is the canyon that leads around the south side of Y-Mount. The trail winds through all of these gorgeous trees. (And yes, I did explore a little bit on the opposite side of the canyon. I tried to find a cave over there, but gave up after my boot sunk ankle deep into some mud.)
This is the same vista point, this time looking down the canyon into Provo.
I think I'll take Chen up there onto that new trail before he leaves for China on Oct. 3rd.
I set up camp in a valley where a fire pit was already built. My fire-building attempts where thwarted after 2 hours of painfully making kindling out of wood that I discovered around 1:00am to be nonburnable.
The good thing about my fire failure was that it kept me busy during the cold hours of the night. The remainder of the night was less-fortunate for me. In fact, it was a heap of restless discomfort! (I now feel you, Mama.) The tent was supposedly "7x7'" but it turned out to be more like 5'11"x5'11". I repositioned my slim sleeping mat all night long from one diagonal angle to the next. (Despite having my head lower than my feet, position number four was the most comfortable.)
The tent adventure didn't end there. Around 3am, I definitely heard purring. Yes, purring. Needless to say, I was nervous. Nervous enough to try to attempt holding my breath for 2 minutes so that I could listen for any giant feline lurking just outside my paper-thin tent. I comforted myself my counting my blessings: 1--I only heard one purring. 2--At least it was purring and not growling territorially. 3--I'm saved $3 on my lunch today!
Just before sunrise, I was startled even more when I heard heavy, active breathing approach my camping site. The huffy breaths gradually grew louder over 30 seconds. Then, at its loudest, the breathing stopped. I was freaked. Motionless, I prayed for the source of the breathing to run away or at least that I would be able to maim it before it slaughtered me. Suddenly, the breathing returned but mysteriously disappeared within two seconds. It was like a car passing on the freeway; you can hear it coming for a long time, but then once it passes, it can barely be heard. When I thought it was safe to move again, I grabbed my knife and hid it inside my sleeping bag until I was ready to get up.
The next morning instead of heading back down the mountain I decided to hike an additional 6 hours. I hiked ALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS back there! This is photo of me hiking into uncharted territory. Instead of taking a left and heading up to the top of Y-Mount, I hung a right into the aspen trees.
This new trail was much more beautiful than the other path. The deeper I went into the wilderness, the softer the vegetation became to my touch, the richer the colors to my eyes and even the "scent of nature" became purer.
ENLARGE ME!
At one point, I felt like I was participating in a First Vision pageant.
After the "Sacred Grove", I entered an open valley with these two burning bushes on the hill in front of me. My mind immediately turned to the Old Testament and I felt compelled to ascend the extremely steep hillside and offer prayer. And I did. And it was cool.
I wrapped through more green valleys and dark, evergreen forests until I made it to the top of the mountain behind Y-Mount. I was surprised to find a make-shift throne made out of shale-stones at the peak. I truly felt like this area was my kingdom.
The Thrown. It should be the destination in a nature-scavenger hunt! It was soooo cool! (I'll bet those of you living in "flatter areas" are beginning to feel a little bit jealous by now.)
This a peak of a different mountain. I found a "Fire Access Road" and walked along that for a while until I found a trail that led up to this peak. This one was weird because I found a bunch of white seashells at the top.
At this point in my adventure, I could feel my face starting to burn and knew that I would have to start back if I were to be able to keep this outing under 20-25 miles.
On the way back down, I found this alluring trail that I think leads up to a different peak. I documented it so that I can try it later.
On my way back down I took the time to really appreciate the colors around me.
This is the canyon that leads around the south side of Y-Mount. The trail winds through all of these gorgeous trees. (And yes, I did explore a little bit on the opposite side of the canyon. I tried to find a cave over there, but gave up after my boot sunk ankle deep into some mud.)
This is the same vista point, this time looking down the canyon into Provo.
I think I'll take Chen up there onto that new trail before he leaves for China on Oct. 3rd.
Thanks for sharing Bryan. The scenery makes me a bit homesick. Now you can see why I loved hiking in them there hills. Be careful of rattlers. That is where I stepped on one. Also, thanks for including the cell phone comment, for telling your roommates, and for sticking with the plan.
ReplyDeleteGive me a call this week to catch up. I will be interested in finding out how things are going and what your new roommates are like.
Give Chen my best. Love, Dad
WOW! That was gorgeous! I love that the leaves are already beginning to change. The vistas were incredible especially "Enlarge Me." While I was reading about your adventures, I couldn't help but think of Troy's adventure in Rock Canyon a few years back. I'm so glad you're safe. Thanks for all the comments on ALL my posts. Not only did I feel the love, but they were HILARIOUS comments. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Bry - I was really nervous that you'd become kitty food. I can't believe how much more GORGEOUS it is in Provo than in Columbus.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments, I love it when we get to connect with you. Esp. loved the handicapped bathroom stall comment. Busta move, bro.
I enjoy all your posts because they are communication from one of my favorite people...but once in a while you come up with a really great one and this is one of those! Your photos are outstanding and your feelings of gratitude, humility and I'm imagining covananting with the Lord are sweet. I am thankful you are safe and remember your scouting principles! I am temporarily treeless and miss them too. But, you should know, we have a stone throne (notice the word) in our new acerage behind the house that I think you will enjoy!!! Am anxious to check your other comments on my journal entries.
ReplyDeleteWOW that was great! You are cool. I liked this post because there were so many pictures :) I am glad you didn't get molested by a cougar. Remember when you told mom I molested the cat???
ReplyDeleteMolested by a cougar? Now that would be something to write home about...
ReplyDelete