Mount Si 10-May-2003

Topographical Map of the trip generated with my GPS and DeLorme Topo USA

Just for reference, in to topo above, the red arrow points out Little Si.

I have a severe weight problem. I have always been able to loose weight, but I always regain it. In January of this year I had Lapband surgery. I have since lost 78 lbs and have been going to the gym regulary since February. The reason I bring this up in a hiking journal is because it was hiking that caused me to finally decide to have surgery. Last year, I stopped hiking early because I did not have the stamina to hike. I began looking into a perminant solution and went in for lapband surgery once I had saved up the $15,000 it cost me. Money well spent. If you want to read more about that, there is a link from my main page to my weight loss journal.

Neither of my normal hiking partners could come out today. Dan was not feeling well, and Nuria was otherwise occupied. Last year, I probably would have cancelled the hike but I was so geared up to start hiking. Like I said, I have been working out since February. I knew I would have a good hiking season and today was the day to start. I went alone with just my trusty hiking dog Isis

Because I can not eat very much, especially in the morning, I tend to lean towards protein. My breakfast is normally a zero carb protein drink. After you read this, I'm sure you all are saying "Duh Jeffrey! You need carbs when hiking!" I realized this too, a little later. I will get to that in a minute.

I can not say enough how great the prospect of hiking felt in the morning before I left. I was so geared up for it. Alone or not, I did not care. I was going for it!

The first time I did Mount Si, I reached the summit in 2 1/2 hours. I was well on my way to doing it again in that time. Then at the 3.5 mile mark or so, as if a switch was turned off, my energy level went from full steam to no steam. I popped a Jolly Rancher and slowed my pace just a tad. I made it to the top in 2 hours 40 minutes. Not too bad.

At the summit, I rested for 20 minutes. I had a Harvest Bar and I felt the energy build in me. I left the summit feeling great!

Last year Nuria ran part of the way down. She said it made her knees feel better. I took a stab at it too. She was right! (And here I thought she was a dumb ole' girl!). I was making great time on the decent. I wasn't at a full run mind you, but I was moving at a great pace.

I made it within 1 mile of the end when again I felt my energy turn to zero. Here is where I made my biggest mistake. I had a second Harvest bar and had I ate it then, I would have been great. I was too smart to do that though. I had made it 3 miles in about an hour. Heck, I could tuff it out for 20 more minutes. 20 minutes turned into 60 minutes. Near the end I had jello for legs. I made it though and I felt great when I got back to the car. I know why my energy cut out and it was stupidity not stamina problems that led to it. I also did not have any pain in my knees! Success!

The lesson I take from the hike is that I am in pretty good shape and that I have to eat carbs in the morning. These are no brainers. I also ended the hike with a goal for the summer. I want to reach the summit in 2 hours and round trip Mount Si in under 4 hours.

Because of the low cloud cover, the top of the mountain was foggy. Here are the 3 pictures I did take: