The Failed Ascent Part I

The taste of failure is bitter. It has long since been that way, and for me it resonates. I attempted to summit Thurston Peak on June, 25th 2016 via the Adam's Canyon trail-head with a party of four. Two of us, myself included, had a recent history of spinal disc related issues. The other two were in good physical condition. We started the trek at 6:30 AM, and met the demise of our adventure at around 2 PM.

The trail was a lot steeper than I had recalled from an earlier experience. The regular Adam's Canyon (waterfall) route contours to the right, while the Thurston Peak and cabin trail resumes to the East up some of the gnarliest looking slopes. It is predominantly uphill, and rated as difficult. In all honesty, I had done very little research for the hike, and I would be kicking myself about it later.

After the soft and sandy switchbacks, the ridiculous hill with loose rock, and passing the two or three large boulders affixed to the ridge line on the right, we hit the scrub-oak. The trail became narrow, and the forest became thick. One of the first individuals to pass us was a gentleman that we named "Free Advice Guy," who told us about the importance of locking our knees while we ascended as to not burn out our calves. I took his advice, and found it had helped a little. On a tangent, he was in outstanding condition for a hiker, carried very little water, and never took any breaks.

I had grown up conquering all of the hikes in Arches National Park, many in Canyonlands, and surrounding areas. I was young, and my body could take the damage. I didn't know or care about proper hiking technique, research, or preparedness. It wasn't until I became an adult that I felt the affects of all that I had taken for granted. I was hitting the gym regularly after my back injury, and I had felt keen enough to take on this challenge. I made the mistake of not frequenting the gym the week before the adventure. I felt the affects of the lack of cardio, but mentally pushed through it.

In the Fall of 2015, I set two goals for the following year: Conquer 1) Thurston, and 2) King's peaks. We took a break every thirty or so steps as a member in our party was having a difficult time. He was a colleague of mine, and we both bailed on the gym that week. After the first few breaks, my body had acclimatized, and I was ready to push through to the top. He wasn't. Navigating through thick scrub-oak, we reached the halfway point by a hill above Adam's cabin at around 11 AM. After visiting the cabin, he had decided that he could no longer continue. As a group, we decided that it was best for three of them to turn back, while I would proceed ahead to the summit.

Abandoned, I attempted to find the rest of the trail which should lead to Thurston peak. There was no trail, and the three paths I chose turned out to be mashed down vegetation created by wildlife. I looked at satellite images from my phone, which had horrendous data access, and called others for advice. I bushwhacked through chest-high forestation, but could not find signs that anyone had been in the area. After receiving the call that no one else was ascending... I, hesitantly, decided to turn back.

On the way down, my toes were pinching against the front of my hiking boots, and even worse, my left knee gave out. I stumbled upon a rattlesnake, which coiled up and made a distinguished sound. I reached my group at the bottom boulder, where I was on my last leg. My walking stick came in handy, as I wouldn't have made it down without it. The "Free-Advice guy" passed us again on the way down, and left us with another gem: "Use iodine for blisters, and if  your toes are pinching, kick your foot down and retie your shoes." He had, apparently, made it to the top. I asked where I had gone wrong, and he said I didn't. I was supposed to bushwhack to a nearby ridge, which I was then expected to climb, and then walk to the summit. After departing his advice, he skipped down the hill.

My quads and calves were on fire, ankles sore, and I was sunburned a little (despite applying sunscreen twice), My back held together just fine, which is more than can be said for my colleague who informed me that he could not move the following day.

I learned of the Fernwood (Community) trail after the hike, which I will be attempting in two or three weeks. Unlike the Adam's Canyon trail to Thurston, this actually has a route that leads near the top. Little-to-no bushwhacking required. I'll also be improving my downhill technique, whether it be different shoes, tape, or something else. I'm still attending to my wounds, as the smoke hasn't cleared, but I am more than eager to get revenge on this mountain.