We could’ve very well just stayed at the rockies…but a summit is a summit!
It was a little after 2am in the McDonald’s meeting place when we found our hike coordinator Karl among the sea of travellers in there. His face didn’t register to me when we met him but later in the conversation when he asked something about my Pico de Loro hike, that’s when I realized that he was the same coordinator. It’s been two years since then and perhaps the reason why he remembered me was because – I arrived at the meeting place around 430AM straight from Palace Pool Club (yep, in my clubbin’ outfit. Talk about grand entrance. ). I mean, whoever does that?
Actually, nothing changed much in this hike. Still didn’t get enough sleep (especially I taught a 2-hr dance class the night before and stayed in the gym) except that I have a company this time around – my friend/ yoga instructor Karen. I believe this is her first hike (?!) and Mt Maculot at its 930 MASL and 4/9 difficulty level, this shouldn’t be a problem to her muscular legs (naaaakksss! ).
But seriously, who decides on this difficulty level?!?! I saw this meme of a guy lying face down at the rocks asking if you’ve been tricked by the 4/9 level (haha!) and I so feel him. The ascent to the Rockies at 706 MASL was okay for me. It’s steep and muddy but it’s manageable. There were about 13 rest stations where you can have a seat and take a breather or buy/ eat refreshments. It was also a foggy morning hike on a holiday and I wasn’t very much sweaty.