the last time i made it to the top of camelback mountain it wasn’t without tears, naseau and some serious whining. it was back in 2006 with danny, dan & tiffany and i haven’t completed the hike since.
for some reason i suggested to we give it a whirl again before it gets too hot (we’re already in the mid-80’s here). d loves hiking so i knew it’d mean a lot to him, plus i figured it’d be a good way to burn some calories (let’s be real, i don’t do this for the fun of it). i also wanted to challenge myself to complete this phoenix staple. so, we planned a low key friday night movie date and were up early for breakfast and a hike on saturday morning.
i did complete the 3.5 mile tough hike… yup, all the way to the top! was i secretly staring down at the Phoenician pools wishing i was laying out with a cocktail in hand? absolutely. were there two times that i started pouting and wanted to stop and turn around? yes, sir. but when we got pretty close to the top and i sat down and wanted to turn back, danny said that it was my decision, but reminded me that a) there’d always be an asterisk next to this hike and i wouldn’t be allowed to claim we hiked camelback mountain b) i would feel so much more accomplished if i just pushed myself all the way up. so after a few minutes, i just kept climbing (and told the next hiker i saw to feel free and trip the guy behind me). i was kinda serious.
of course i’m glad i pushed through. the views were beautiful and the sense of accomplishment was awesome. ting was super patient and pushed me just enough. i’m not a speedy hiker, but on the way back down the mountain, i started doing a little “trail running” and danny thought i was badass. what i didn’t tell him is that i was jogging on any flatland to get the hike over with as quickly as possible.
{a photo of camelback i took on this beach cruiser ride. i love this photo.
holy crap, i ended up standing on the top of that high hump!}
{not even half way up and i was secretly starring down at those sparkling blue Phoenician pools}
{saw lots of desert critters}
{the most patient hiker friend. very patient and helpful}
{camelback is not an easy hike. i’m not just saying that. it’s a lot of crap like this}
{we made it to the top! here’s the evidence to prove it}
{top! no tears!}
{looking at the little ants on the mountain… that’s our route back down. ugh}
danny was documenting our journey via Instagram and friends who know my past experience on Camelback Mountain were hilarious and commenting all the way…
Jenny: Did our girl make it to the top without tears? Yes? Woohoo!
Dan Lovitz: Way to go Teri! No puking….
Tiffany Lovitz: Don’t cry Teri. I know it’s difficult but try and power through.
Lacey: Yay! Go TL!
Lisa: I got about halfway one time and cried my eyes out… Way to go t!
you guys rock. get it, rock?
Nicole Marie
wow look at that view!! amazing!!
Aubrey
Great job Teri! I was admiring this mountain all weekend. See all of your post’s and finally visiting makes me want to go back ASAP