The Grouse Grind

 

I fell and put both my neck and my lower back out just a couple of weeks ago, however, the Grouse Grind has been on my Bucket List ever since I arrived in this country.  I have known since the beginning of the year, that this is one of the things I wanted to accomplish and kick off the list by the end of this 12 month journey.  Now, I also haven't hiked in a year, so I knew that this would be pretty tough and I would need to be in the right frame of mind, to be able to complete the task.  Being the person I am, I only knew the day I decided that I was going, THAT I WAS ACTUALLY GOING.  A couple of hours before we left to get to the mountain, I gathered up the family and informed them of what we were going to do.

 

 

 

I suggest that when you hike this trail, you take the above questions very seriously.

It took me longer than the suggested time for the hike.

The first quarter of the trail is longer than each of the other quarters individually, only because the markers are marked by elevation and not by distance.  I found the first quarter tougher than the last three quarters, but that is only because mentally, I wasn't prepared for the first.  I was far more prepared mentally for the second, third and fourth quarters.  However, physically, the quarters get steeper as they go along, so be prepared.

Once again, my family were fantastic and gently hung out with me as I took the long climb.  I wish that they had run on ahead sometimes, but other times, I was so glad to have them near me to enjoy the journey.  Nearer the top of the mountain, as dusk began to set in, we were ferociously attacked by black flies and mosquitoes and this is something too, that one needs to be aware of and calculate into the journey.  They CAN test your patience, but there's nothing you can do about it.

Some rules for the journey, if it is your first time?

Well, first read the rules above and follow them - they know what they're talking about!  :)

Then,

1. Carry water.
2. Carry a can of sweet fruit juice and maybe a banana or something light - that extra bit of energy
    is great for spurring you on, half way up!
3. MOVE OVER for faster climbers coming up behind you - the path is narrow.
4. Set yourself goals and reach each one of them in your own time - not someone else's.
5. Don't believe the painted 1/4 or 3/4 markers on the trees.  The real 1/4 and 3/4 markers  (and 1/2 way marker),  are all signed on boards nailed onto the trees.
6. Stop and smile.  Enjoy yourself - this is an amazing journey and one you will be proud of completing!