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Caption: Stumbling up Mt. Hood
Caption: I haven't hiked in a long time. I have spent so much time on a bike these last 15 years that I forgot what it felt like.
Because I have been so focused on riding, I haven't experienced any of the the Mt. Hood Wilderness, and last weekend I aimed to change that.
I had planned to hike to McNeil Point, but things didn't go as planned.
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Caption: Staring off into nothing.
It feels great to be enveloped in this fog less than a mile from the truck.
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Caption: The pace is different but I'm enjoying the speed.
Moving from one micro climate to the next is a fun experience.
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Caption: At some point I took a wrong turn.
But I didn't know it for another mile and a half.
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Caption: The Muddy Fork
Caption: I stumbled into this valley and was struck by the vast space that I found myself in.
Two glacial stream crossings later I realized that I had I was at least a few miles off my intended track.
I found my way back to the trail crossing I had missed and started heading up towards the point.
But about half a mile later I realized that I was running out of daylight and didn't want to risk a night in the woods.
I turned back, bummed that I didn't make it.
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Caption: Now leaving
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Caption: I didn't get to where I was headed, but it was a rewarding time.
If all goes as planned I'll be headed back this weekend to try and make it to the top.
Fingers crossed!