Hardly a Hill

It’s a time honored truth – fishermen should not be left in charge of anything other than their own boat. And even then there are some restrictions.

So sometimes being the only one left on land to fix all of the problems they leave behind them in their wake can be incredibly annoying. My solution is to work it out by turning off my phone and climbing mountains.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE, WITH THE –

What’s that you say? This group hasn’t paid yet and the other one doesn’t want to stay in the hotel we booked for them and then never told them about? Oh well, not my problem, I can’t hear you over the –

SOUND OF MUSIC…!

 

It’s a very healthy coping mechanism.

Anyway, my current favorite hike is Gavin Hill and the 1,000 stairs. I did it with friends a couple weeks ago and then did it by myself last week, this time with my trusty camera at my side.

It’s not a very long hike, but it’s steep. And notorious. With an innocent sounding name like “Gavin Hill” you might expect a gentle climb resembling a peaceful nature-walk. But this is Alaska, and it Alaska hills look like this –

 

 

And this –

 

 

Finally ending in this –

 

 

Were you get to this –

 

 

 

And suddenly everything is worth it again.

 

 

 

I always have to take a moment to marvel. It’s almost common place to see views like this and I’ve gotten so used to having my breath taken away – either by the hike or the beauty.

 

 

As I hiked, dogs kept popping out of the underbrush and trotting alongside me. This was terrifying for two reasons. One – the split second of terror where there’s just a sound in the bushes and no explanation yet. Two – In all the books I have ever read were the main character goes hiking alone a dog/spirit guild always pops out of nowhere right before that character gets attacked by a bear.

Always.

But thankfully I’m not a main character in a book and the dog’s owner always came puffing around a corner in the trail in a few minutes and I let them pass and go ahead of me so that if there WERE any bears, they would get eaten first. Survival of the fittest.

 

 

The hike back down kills me every time. I swear to myself I will never do it again, as I stumble down Forest Service staircases and trip over footholds made of roots. But then I get back to the lodge and have a warm cup of coffee in my hands as I edit the photos and I find myself thinking I can’t wait to go back.

 

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I’m likely going to move to a bi-weekly platform for my blog posts. Follow me at @leeslens on Instagram to get daily (mostly) photos and updates on my adventures.