SecretAcres: My 69th Birthday and Attempted Summit on Mt. St. Helens

Wow, 69 years old! I feel thankful for all of the years the Lord has given me, especially for all of my children, grandchildren, great grandchild, family and friends He has blessed me with.

Today I am celebrating it alone at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar. Boo Hoo! (good name) ha! Yes, I was planning a mountain top summit today on Mt. St. Helens in celebration of my 69^th birthday. I worked so hard to prepare for this summit. I even did a 12 mile hike last week and felt great! A couple days ago, Wednesday morning, I bent down to take my sock off and heard a pop and realized I pulled a back muscle. It was very painful and I could hardly walk. I loaded up on Ibuprofen and spread Deep Blue oil on my back. It all helped but still painful when I walked.

We already had purchased our climbing permits and had reservations at the Lone Fir, so Ted and I drove our truck and 5^th wheel trailer down to Cougar Thursday afternoon, hoping I would be better on Friday, but no. The thought of climbing 12 hard miles round-trip was not going to happen. My friend, Liz, met us here at Cougar. I thought I would at least try. We got up at 4:00 a.m., left a little after 5:00 a.m. and hit the trail. What a beautiful, sunny day! After two miles I was ready to turn back. I told Ted and Liz to summit for me. It was hard seeing them go, but happy knowing they will hopefully make it. Liz had her vehicle, so she would take Ted back and I drove our truck back to the trailer.

As I was hiking back, I met lots of climbers on the trail. I said hello to a couple young guys and they asked if I had summated. I said no, because of my back. They said they were sorry to hear that. They asked if there was water up ahead (like a creek) and I said I was sure there was and if they needed any. They said yes. So I gave them my unopened water bottles and they were soooo appreciative! It made my day. Off they went! It amazes me how unprepared many young climbers are. I am feeling better after putting some ice on my lower back and continued Ibuprofen and Deep Blue. So looking forward to Ted and Liz summating, now that would be a great birthday gift!